Marshall McDonald
Marshall McDonald is a pianist, arranger, and composer who has produced multiple albums, has scored films, and has two symphonies to his credit. He has produced numerous sheet music and piano solo books.
He graduated from the University of Utah in 2003 with bachelor’s degrees in music and communications and then went on for a master’s degree in public administration. While pursuing his music, he also teaches Seminary and Institute. He’s also an adjunct music professor for the Salt Lake Community College.
In 2006 The National Endowment for the Arts and The Orchestra of Southern Utah commissioned Marshall and his good friend Steven Sharp Nelson (now with The Piano Guys, to compose the Spanish Trail Suite in honor of the Old Spanish Trail becoming a nationally recognized trail by the U.S. Congress. The world-class China Philharmonic Orchestra recorded and distributed the four-movement symphony in 2008. He has also performed with Music and the Spoken Word on radio.
In 2014, McDonald wrote and arranged the music for the live nativity video that was released on The Piano Guys YouTube channel and made a Guinness World Record.
His albums include: Sunday Morning Light; Sunday Best; 24 All-Time Favorites; Our Savior’s Love; This Is the Christ;Bringing the World His Truth; American Journey; Heaven’s Touch; Christmas Dreams; More Holiness Give Me; His Light Divine; and I Am a Child of God. His music books include: Hymns for the Sabbath, volumes 1 and 2; Christmas Classics; As the Dew from Heaven Distilling; Be Still, My Soul; and Sacred Voice.
McDonald and his wife, Kristien, live in Riverton, Utah, with their three children.
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Recent Posts
Susan Evans McCloud Recounts the Story Behind the Hymn, “Lord, I Would Follow Thee”
Susan Evans McCloud, the lyricist of the beloved hymn, “Lord, I Would Follow Thee” (Hymns, no. 220), says that while she was writing the hymn one of the things that she learned is that the Lord’s timing is not our timing, and His ways are not our ways. He often has a...
The Bonner Family Released Soul-Stirring Music Video “Child of God” from “Jane and Emma” Movie
On Tuesday, 18 September 2018, 10 members of the multitalented Bonner family released a soul-stirring music video of the song “Child of God” from the upcoming movie, Jane and Emma. The movie premiers in select theaters on 12 October 2018. It is the story of two women...
Micah Harmon Shares Message of Serving Others and Fighting for What We Believe In
On Saturday, 15 September 2018, Micah Harmon of the world-renowned One Voice Children’s Choir released a music video on his YouTube channel which is a mashup of Rachel Platten’s “Fight Song” and two LDS missionary songs – “Called to Serve” and “I Hope They Call Me on...
Music in the Key of Life: JTM Opens Up About Being Abused as a Child in New Music Video
On 9 September 2018, JTM (formerly known as James The Mormon), released what is perhaps his most vulnerable music video to date. The video called “I Could Be Wrong,” is a depiction of his own abuse as a child. JTM says in the video description, “The first 17 years of...
Music in the Key of Life: “For the Love of a Blue-Eyed Boy”
This is the heartwarming, awe-inspiring backstory of the beautiful song "For the Love of a Blue-Eyed Boy" written by Mary Hiett. Mary is also the author of this article. This song is dedicated to this mother, and mothers and fathers everywhere who Foster Care and hope...
Music in the Key of Life – “Farewell September” (Noelle’s Theme)
This article was written by Mary Hiett. The song "Farewell September" is from her album Notes from the Heart. September always causes me to think of the very first song that I composed. The song that opened the front door of my heart, so I could go in and...