Michael Hagmeier

My performances fall into two distinct categories, solo and small group.

Solo performances are solo didjeridu. One option is one long improvised solo didjeridu piece that can run an hour or more, with a piece that moves through several different phases. If the venue allows for the lights to be turned off, the audience can fully experience the sound.

Another solo didjeridu option is more like a standard performance, with distinct pieces that have been composed, with room for some pieces that may be made up on the spot. These pieces may also include one or two pieces featuring Middle-Eastern Percussion.

Small group performances feature original compositions that combine World Music with Classical Chamber Music, with flute and violin combined with didjeridu, guitar, and Middle-Eastern percussion.

Michael started playing didjeridu in 1994 when a friend passed through town and gave him one. By 1996 he had become a regular at a spiritual retreat held twice a year at Nestucca Sanctuary, and had performed on stage at Portland's last ArtQuake and at Seattle's Folklife Festival.

Since then, he has played at spiritual retreats throughout the west, at several more Folklife festivals, the Shining Stars Festival in Cave Junction, Oregon, and at the One World, One People Festival in Monterey, California in 1998.

Michael’s piece "Turtle Island Prayer", a healing prayer for didjeridu and the voices of all those present, has graced numerous spiritual retreats and intimate performances.

Michael has recorded and released two CDs--the first, Didjeridu Ecstasy, was recorded at a studio in the temperate rainforest near Yachats, Oregon. For fans of unadulterated didjeridu, nine of the twelve tracks feature solo didjeridu. The other three feature middle-eastern percussion mixed with didjeridu.

Michael’s second CD, Organically Grown, features didjeridu blended with a variety of instruments. The other musicians brought musical backgrounds of jazz, bluegrass, classical, Native American flute, and Middle-Eastern music to create a unique World Jazz sound.

In 2005, Michael started composing music that draws inspiration from many musical traditions, including classical chamber music, world music, jazz, folk, rock and roll, and the blues.

Michael has played in several bands in Portland, Oregon that has combined a variety of musical genres, most recently Alternate Destination, a trio with saxophone, bassoon, and Michael on didjeridu, guitar, and percussion.

Michael moved to St. Louis in 2013, and has started the trio 3rd Millennium World’s Fair (with flute and violin) that plays new pieces Michael has composed to honor the St. Louis area, as well as some of Michael’s older pieces.

Since moving to St. Louis, Michael has performed his work at St. Lou Fringe, Tavern of Fine Arts, Compton Heights Christian Church, and other venues.

For solo performances, the only requirement would be amplification if the space is large enough to require it.

For small group performances, in small spaces, we are able to perform either unamplified or with minimal amplification.

In a larger room, we'll need 3-4 instrument mics, and perhaps a mic or two for talking between pieces.

My guitar amp has a line out, which simplifies things a little bit.

The stage needs adequate lighting for musicians to read.