Michael R. Hicks
Since 1999 approximately a third of a million youth at the Especially for Youth (EFY) program, as well as tens of thousands in church congregations around the world have sung Michael R. Hick’s well–known composition of the “EFY Medley: As Sisters in Zion & We’ll Bring the World His Truth.” The song has been sung on such occasions as seminary graduations, missionary farewells, temple dedication celebrations, as well as, youth conferences throughout the world in Lithuania, Australia, Japan, China, Canada, the United Kingdom, and throughout South America to name but a few places. His music has uplifted audiences worldwide, has won awards, and his arrangements have been performed by many – from small church choirs to famous country music performers.
Michael is a native of Salt Lake City, Utah. He graduated from Brigham Young University (BYU) with a degree in Marketing Communication and a minor in music. He served a two-year full-time mission in the California Santa Rosa Mission. He worked as a counselor for the Especially for Youth program for five summers, and taught seminary classes for a semester at Mountain View High School in Oren, Utah. He has also spoken on many topics and has performed with various artists.
He released his first CD in 1997 entitled To Satisfy the Law which consisted of solo piano arrangements of hymns, and published the piano book for the CD the following year. In 1999, he produced a CD single and sheet music for his arrangement of “As Sisters in Zion & We’ll Bring the World His Truth.” In 2000, his arrangement of “I Know That My Redeemer Lives” was included on the 2000 EFY album Forward with Faith. His project, Creations, which is an album of original-based instrumental music celebrating the beauties of the earth, was nominated for three awards at the 2001 Pearl Awards. In 2002, in a collaborative effort between himself, Jon Schmidt, Paul Cardall, and David Tolk, he created a new-age piano collection called Piano Portraits which was nominated for two Pearl Awards. In 2009, he produced a follow up CD to Piano Portraits called Piano Portraits Lullaby, again with the collaboration of Jon Schmidt, Paul Cardall, and David Tolk.
Michael currently lives in Salt Lake City with his wife, daughter, and son.
Follow Michael R. Hicks
Recent Posts
North Logan Teen Kenadi Dodds Has Aspirations of Being a Country Western Singer
Kenadi Dodds, a 14-year-old eighth grader from North Logan, has high hopes of one day being a country western singer and being on the radio singing top ten singles. She is doing everything that she possibly can to make her dream a reality but she and her family have...
Faith Angelina’s New Album, “Notes From Zion,” Debuted at #1 on One World Music Album Charts
13-year-old Faith Angelina Dixon won the 2017 New Artist of the Year Award. In 2018, the young piano prodigy was recognized once again for her immense talents when she was awarded New Artist of the Year Honors from the Zone Music Reporter (ZMR). The award was given in...
The Lyceum Philharmonic and Jenny Oaks Baker’s Magnificent Performance of “Ashokan Farewell”
Anyone who has ever left family and loved ones behind to go off to serve their country in the armed forces is all too familiar with the feelings of worry, fear, and sadness. At times, there is also an air of melancholy that surrounds a soldier as he or she plays a...
Latter-day Saint Entertainers Donny Osmond and Gladys Knight Were Contestants on “The Masked Singer”
Fox’s new reality television show, The Masked Singer, which airs on Wednesday nights at 9:00 pm EST, is a top-secret singing competition in which celebrities face off against one another while shrouded from head to toe in an elaborate costume such as peacocks,...
The LeBaron Family Performs Les Misérables Medley at Kelly Clarkson Concert
Kelly Clarkson, the inaugural American Idol winner, is back on the road again for the first time in three years with her “Meaning of Life” tour. She appeared on stage at Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah, on Wednesday evening, 30 January 2019, donned in...
Jennifer Thomas Talks Career, Songwriting, and Recent Exposure with Her Music in Japan on “Ice Time” Podcast
There is one thing that proves to remain constant with the magnificent music that piano virtuoso Jennifer Thomas composes. Each new creation encompasses an amazing story that is told through music in a masterful way. This rings true not only on the tracks of her...