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Sara McDonald

Vocalist/Composer/Bandleader/Multi-Instrumentalist

About Me

Sara McDonald is a vocalist/composer/arranger/bandleader/pianist/french horn player based in Brooklyn, NY. Her music fuses multiple genres including rock, pop, jazz, and electronica - which ultimately creates an ensemble sound that acknowledges the tradition of jazz as much as it sonically embraces experimental textures, arrangements, and harmonies. She is most well-known for her orchestral prog-rock project, 'The NYChillharmonic.'

She has performed her large ensemble music at world renowned festivals such as The Montreal Jazz Festival, Perth International Jazz Festival, Keio University Jazz Fest (Tokyo), Moers Festival, The Take The A Train Festival, Mazzstock Music Festival, Buenos Aires International Jazz Festival, CU Jazz Festival, The International Festival of Arts and Ideas, Northside Festival, Nublu Jazz Festival, and The East Village Music Festival. Sara also consistently works with Jazzrausch Big Band - a famous techno orchestra based in Munich.

Sara and her New York based band regularly perform on the stages of premiere rock and jazz venues in NYC and have had notable performances at ASCAP’s ‘Songwriters: The Next Generation’ Showcase at The John F. Kennedy Performing Arts Center in Washington D.C., The David Rubenstein Atrium at Lincoln Center, Joe’s Pub, (le) Poisson Rouge,The Sheen Center, National Sawdust, and The Iridium in NYC. 

As a side person, Sara has performed with SKA band Streetlight Manifesto on several of their tours, playing concerts at The Beacon Theater, The Orpheum, and Radio City Music Hall. She performed with an orchestra for the launch of the Ruff Ryders reunion tour at Barclays Center which featured DMX and Eve. She has also played French horn in studio sessions with Sky Ferreria, Turkuaz, Apartment Sessions, and many other local bands. Sara has also recorded jingles for Macy's and has contributed vocals to the Vine app database.

Her compositions have twice been awarded ASCAP’s coveted ‘Herb Alpert Young Jazz Composer Award’ and once awarded the ASCAP ‘Phoebe Jacobs Prize.' Sara was also included in Brooklyn Magazines annual “30 under 30” list, highlighting successful musicians, artists, and entrepreneurs in NYC.