Sydney Guillaume (born July 22, 1982) is a Haitian-American composer and conductor known for his vibrant choral works that merge elements of Haitian culture with concert music. Guillaume’s compositions are celebrated for their rhythmic complexity. Most of his choral works are sung in Haitian Creole and French, with original poetry by his father, Gabriel T. Guillaume. His contributions to Haitian music and culture were recognized with his induction into the 1804 List of Haitian-American Change Makers in 2016 and an honor from Haiti’s top music school, l’École de Musique St. Trinité in 2017.

Guillaume moved to Portland in 2013, after living in Los Angeles for ten years. He is active in the music world as a composer, conductor, clinician, and singer. Most of his compositions are self-published. His work continues to resonate with both local and international audiences.

We will be singing Guillaume’s Dominus Vobiscum in our upcoming concert. Sung in Haitian Creole, Dominus Vobiscum is Latin for “The Lord be with you”. This work urges us to seek God within us. The central theme of the poem speaks of the Divine Presence in everyone, of God in the depths of our hearts.