a Musical Presence

Keith “Doc” Hampton is the Founder and Artistic Director of the Chicago Community Chorus. Additionally, he is an organist, conductor, composer, educator, church musician, adjudicator, and clinician. He is the Cantor to the Seminary Community at the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago and the
president of Dr. KT Productions, Inc. in Chicago. He is the Director of Music and Organist at St. Thomas Episcopal Church and Assistant Director of Music at Trinity United Church of Christ, also in Chicago.

A specialist in the field of Gospel Music, the North Central American Choral Directors Association in 2010 selected Hampton as one of the top 25 Contemporary Composers “whose composition, Praise His Holy Name, should be standard repertoire for choirs today and for the next 25 years.” In February of 2016, Dr. Hampton made his New York Carnegie Hall debut, conducting the National Festival Chorus sponsored by Manhattan Concert Productions.

Hampton earned a Bachelor of Music Education Degree from Westminster Choir College, Princeton, NJ; a Master of Arts Degree from Marywood University, Scranton, PA; and a Doctor of Music Degree in Church Music from Northwestern University, Evanston, IL. He has also received the Service Playing, Choir Master, and Associate certificates from the American Guild of Organists.

Keith Hampton, DMus, AAGO, ChM

a Lasting Influence

Although based in Chicago, Doc conducts workshops and accepts guest conducting roles for organizations across the state and country. In this way he is able to spread his rapturous joy of music.

“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!”

— Michele Hecht, Director of Music Ministry, First Congregational Church, Glen Ellyn, Illinois

“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!”

—Jon Hurty, Director of Choral Activities, Augustana College

“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!”

— Oliver Henderson, DM, Manhattan Concert Productions, Concert Development Associate, Tenor, Manhattan Chorale

Guest Conducting/Worshops

Click to contact Doc about workshops and guest conducting opportunities.