Germantown Academy is sad to announce the passing of former Head of Upper School Choruses, String Orchestras, and Music Theory teacher Michael Kemp, who passed away on July 10, 2021. Kemp was a member of the Germantown Academy faculty from 1997 to 2011. He was the recipient of the Barness Chair for Distinguished Teaching in the Fine and Performing Arts, led the Singing Patriots Upper School choral group, and created Singing Patriots Select.

Kemp’s orchestral and teaching career spanned 53 years and many countries, including 30 years in church music, 30 years in academics, and 40 years conducting community chorales and orchestras, which included the Academy Chorale and Academy Chamber Society at Germantown Academy. In recent years, Kemp founded Philadelphia's Academy Chorale and Orchestra and served as Music Director of Trinity Presbyterian Church in Berwyn. An accomplished author, he wrote several training books for choral directors and voice teachers. He was a professional level gardener, coached tennis and table tennis, and was an accomplished luthier (having created or refurbished three violins and two violas).

We are grateful to Michael for sharing his musical talents with GA students for so many years. Details of a memorial service have not yet been announced.