Keith (affectionately known as “Doc”) is a dynamic clinician who fills the room with his generous spirit and his love for bringing people together through music. I have been a participant in many workshops that he has led over the years through various professional organizations, and he always shares his depth of knowledge and his wide breadth of musical abilities with liberal doses of light and laughter. He recently came to work with my church choir, who has adored his music for decades and who ended up enjoying Doc and his effervescence even more! He is the rare musician whose talents span the broad range of musical styles from Baroque organ and traditional choral music to gospel, spirituals, pop and jazz. He does it all with grace and a smile!

Keith has visited Augustana on a number of occasions to work with the Augustana Choir. He has worked with us both on his own compositions and works by other composers. His conducting style and rehearsal techniques are of the highest quality and he has an engaging and lively way of working with the group. Not only do they get better quickly under his direction, but they have fun and are inspired to work harder because of Keith’s infectious personality. Keith has also presented workshops for our symposium days, in which we bring guests from various fields to share their expertise with our students and faculty. I am always impressed with his engaging presentations, knowledge of both classical and contemporary styles and his ability to engage and audience—through lecture, discussion and musical involvement. I highly recommend you find a way to bring Keith to give a presentation or work with your group!

Keith Hampton is a dynamic presence on the podium. “Doc,” as he is affectionately known by those who work with him, conducted a mixed ensemble of high school singers for a Carnegie Hall performance with us. In our three-day residency, he elevated our young singers to a new plane of musical expression. Doc is an expert in a broad range of choral literature, and our group particularly benefited from his expertise in the African American spiritual. I have studied the spiritual in countless music history classes throughout my decades of music study, but never before have I heard someone speak so eloquently on this important genre of American music. His impassioned and scholarly direction compelled each of us in the chorus, regardless of race, to commit ourselves fully to this music under his guidance. His leadership is charismatic, transformative, and joyous. We at Manhattan Concert Productions look forward to the next time he conducts with us!