Department of Music

Kim Archer

Kimberly K. Archer (b. 1973 in Mendota, IL) is currently serving as Professor of Composition at SIUE. She teaches composition, music theory, analysis, counterpoint, and 20^th century music. Past appointments include Bowling Green State University in Ohio, Western Carolina University in North Carolina, and Southeast High School in Florida. She holds a Bachelor of Music Education from The Florida State University, a Master of Music in Composition from Syracuse University, and a Doctor of Musical Arts in Composition from The University of Texas at Austin. Her teachers include David Maslanka, David Gillingham, Andrew Waggoner, Donald Grantham, and Charlie Carter.

A specialist in music for winds and percussion, Dr. Archer’s compositions have been performed at the Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic, the World Association for Symphonic Bands and Wind Ensembles (WASBE), regional conventions of the College Band Directors National Association (CBDNA), national conventions of the National Flute Association, and state conventions of the Nebraska State Band Association, Oklahoma Music Educators Association, and the National Band Association-Wisconsin. She has received commissions from such organizations as The United States Air Force Band of Mid-America, Kappa Kappa Psi & Tau Beta Sigma, The Florida State University Summer Music Camps, The International Center for New Music at Central Michigan University, and the International Women’s Brass Conference, as well as by consortiums of university and high school ensembles around the country.

Dr. Archer is a contributor for Composers on Composing for Band, Volume 4. In addition, her for those taken too soon …. (Symphony no. 1) is featured in an interview in the February 2004 issue of “The Instrumentalist,” titled “Kimberly Archer Turned Sadness into a Five-Movement Memorial.” She is a regular recipient of the ASCAPLUS award. 

Dr. Archer’s published music is available from Murphy Music Press and C. Alan Publications. Her Symphony no. 3 (Troy 1152) is recorded on Albany Records. Her Concerto for Piano and Wind Ensemble (8984-MCD), Symphony no. 2 (6669-MCD) and for those taken too soon …. Symphony no. 1 (7643-MCD) are recorded by Mark Custom Recording.

The U.S. Marine Band's 2023 album "Monuments" features Dr. Archer's composition "Fanfare Politeia." The following is an interview regarding the world premiere recording of this piece.