Biography

1948
Born in Baumbach on the Fulda, in the heart of Germany.
Childhood in the town of Kassel.

1956
Violin and viola lessons (for 11 years altogether)

1960
First singing experiences in a church youth choir.

1966
Piano lessons. Performing as a violinist in the Youth for Christ orchestra.

1967
High School Graduation
Student at Philipps University, Marburg, majoring in English and German

1969
Concert tour through the East and Midwest of the USA as a member of the German Youth for Christ Choir
Studies at Manchester College, North Manchester, Indiana

1970
First solo single (German)
Member of the Christ Singers
Voice and harmony lessons

1972
First State Diploma Exam for High School teachers of English and German
First LP Here I Stand (German)

1973
Married to physician Christine Stossberg

1976
Teacher training
LP A Field of Organic Food (German)
Poetry collection Has Everything Been Said?

1977
PhD in American Studies, Philipps University, Marburg (Rebellion in the Novels of Herman Melville)
Assistant Professor for American Studies at Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz

1978
LP Points in Time (German)

1979
Nationwide television special "Whether My Songs Are Loud or Soft"
Co-founder of the Christian Arts Group DAS RAD (The Wheel)

1980
Poetry collection Why Wait

1983
Assistant Professor (tenured) for American Studies at Johannes Gutenberg University
LP God Has His People Everywhere (German)
Poetry Collection Crossbill (with woodcuts by Andreas Felger)

1984
Son Benjamin is born.

1985
LP Crossbill (German)
Collection of aphorisms A Handful of Beautiful Thoughts

1986
LP Everything in Its Way - Love Songs (German)

1987
CD Words That Are Wise and Yet Simple (Sampler, German)

1988
LP Traces (German)

1991
LP No Way (German)

1992
Clyde S. Kilby Professor at Wheaton College, Wheaton, Illinois
Poetry collections We Need Courage and Lean Back (German)
CD Amazement (Instrumentals arranged by Tom Keene)

1993
Book of Poetry Read My Eyes
CD You Are My Raven - Songs of Love (German)
Book of Poetry You Are my Raven (with Christine Siebald)

1994
CD Words like Bread - Songs for the Worship Service (German)
Gold CD

1996
Monograph The Prodigal Son in American Literature (German)
CD Let's Be Friends (Songs for children, German)

1997
Guest Professor at Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia

1998
CD Not Forgotten (German)

2000
CD Tiny Things That Move the World (German)
CD What the Angels Tell Us - Songs for Christmas (German)

2001
CD Maybe You'll Come Along (German)

2002
Full Professor at Johannes Gutenberg University, Mainz

2004
CD Bathrobe Morning (German)
CD Will You Sing Along? Manfred Siebald's Songs for the Congregation (Sampler, German)

2006
CD I Won't Let You Fall (German)
Book Give Me the Right Tone: Stories about Songs (German)

2008
Book Pitti Smiles and Other Stories (German) [4th ed. 2016]
CD Come to God's Feast: Early Songs (German)
CD But Surely (German)
Federal Cross of Merit for Manfred Siebald
Federal Cross of Merit for Christine Siebald

2010
CD The Best Is Yet to Come (German)
CD Manfred Siebald Live (German)

2011
Guest Professor at York University, Toronto

2012
Retirement from Full-Time Teaching at Johannes Gutenberg University
Continuing Research, Supervising of Doctoral, B.A. and M.A. Theses, Lecturing

2013
CD High Time (German)
Book Let Us Jubilate Quietly (German)

2014
Book We Are in His Hands: A Year and a Day with Matthias Claudius (German) [2nd ed. 2016]
Book Accept One Another (German) [3rd ed. 2015]

2017
CD Celebrating the Day (German)