a bit about me

Grammy®-nominated musician Dr. Michael Hawes enjoys a multifaceted career as a vocalist, trumpeter, pianist, organist, educator, and collaborator. Equally at home as a vocal or trumpet soloist, in a vocal ensemble or choir, in the trumpet section of a symphony orchestra, wind ensemble, or brass quintet, or at the piano and organ leading music in church, Michael’s passion lies in collaboration and in creating heartfelt performances of meaningful music. At the heart of his work is a desire to listen deeply, connect authentically, and recognize the humanity we share with one another.

As Director of Music Ministries at Mary Undoer of Knots Parish in Chicago, Michael manages music for the St. Robert Bellarmine and St. Constance Church Campuses with more than 300 masses and special services throughout the year across multiple campuses. His commitment to music as a means of connection and community is also reflected in his recent Austin Live Music Fund-supported projects, which included performances of Austin-based VAMP Vocal Ensemble, Javier Jara’s Septet sharing 'Our Rhythms, Our Voices', featuring immigrant testimonies in song, a special prayer service bringing together music in English, Arabic, Hebrew, and Spanish and a commission of Iranian-American composer and multimedia artist Mojgan Misaghi. These projects reflect his belief in music’s unique ability to create spaces for listening, understanding, peace, and love.

Michael received his Doctor of Musical Arts from the University of Texas at Austin. He frequently sings and performs with multiple Grammy winning Philadelphia based Crossing Choir, Grammy winning Austin based Conspirare, Miami-based Seraphic Fire, New-York based Clarion Choir, among many other internationally recognized ensembles. As a trumpeter, he performs with the San Antonio Philharmonic and Harmonium of Texas, among others.

Commissioning, recording and premiering meaningful music is a hugely important part of Michael’s musical life. Recently released recordings - Florence Price, Her Song, an album with Eugenia Jeong celebrating the music of composer Florence Price, and, Confined, an album with Renan Branco, featuring newly recorded music by Nicole Piunno, Whitney George and Jim Stephenson - are both available on all major streaming platforms. A recent premiere commissioned by Michael, “If I Must Die” poem by Palestinian scholar and poet, Refaat Alareer, which was set to music by Shireen Abu-Khader. The choir at St. Thomas More sang an arrangement done by Michael of Palestinian musician and educator Ahmed Muin, incorporating the recording of Ahmed and his students “Gaza Birds Singing” from Gaza, in multiple services in Austin. Additional commissions of music by Adore Alexander, Kino Lee and Mojgan Misaghi, with more in the works, highlight a continuous desire to broaden the perspectives and repertoire available. To view the more than 25 professionally recorded albums, visit this discography page.

‘The 2026-2027 season brings Michael back to treasured connections in Austin with Conspirare, Chicago, IL with Schola Antiqua, Miami, FL with Seraphic Fire, San Antonio with the Harmonium of Texas, and Philadelphia, PA with the Crossing Choir, among others. Michael and Randy Hawes will offer a program with newly recorded music by Kino Lee, Tim Higgins and Florence Price at the UMKC-Conservatory in October, and Michael with Eugenia Jeong, will share the program Florence Price, Her Song across the Chicagoland area.

I hope to cross paths with you, and share meaningful music and conversation.

If you would like to collaborate, please do reach out :)

you can reach me at michaelhawes91@gmail.com

Cheers,
Michael