Le Cigale

Written for a laugh during the cicada bloom in the summer of 2021, Le Cigale is composed in the renaissance style of Josquin de Pres’ famous El Grillo.

By |2023-07-19T10:39:35-07:00May 15, 2023|Comments Off on Le Cigale

St Teresa’s Bookmark

A short, but moderately challenging setting appropriate for a small or large adult choir. Appropriate for use as a church anthem.

By |2023-06-20T16:58:14-07:00May 12, 2023|Comments Off on St Teresa’s Bookmark

Liberty

Liberty was composed a few months after September 11, 2001. The text is from the opening of Emma Lazurus’ poem “The New Colossus”, and serves to remind us of the noble ambitions which tie us together as a nation.

By |2023-04-14T02:08:31-07:00April 10, 2023|Comments Off on Liberty

Hope is the thing with feathers

Inspired by 16th century madrigals, this setting of Emily Dickinson’s poem of the same name uses rich word painting and a traditional structure, but with more modern harmonic language.

By |2023-04-14T12:00:09-07:00April 10, 2023|Comments Off on Hope is the thing with feathers

Tension, Apprehension, and Dissention

In this intricate shouted fugue, traditional imitation processes create an ever increasing pressure while the constant counting, “Eight, sir: Seven, sir…”, portrays the maddening irrational rationality of modern existence.

By |2023-04-14T12:00:20-07:00April 10, 2023|Comments Off on Tension, Apprehension, and Dissention

The Sea is Calm Tonight

A contemplative and wistful setting of the opening of Matthew Arnold’s "Dover Beach” The polyphonic setting mirrors the relentless churning of the ocean, jumbles the text and creates new meaning.

By |2023-04-14T02:21:35-07:00April 10, 2023|Comments Off on The Sea is Calm Tonight

Music Like Water

A challenging work for double chorus inspired by water’s persistence and strength. A tiny stream of water finds a way through stone and tiny streams. Frozen, it can shatter solid rock; flowing, it can combine into powerful torrents, almost without warning.

By |2023-04-14T02:32:14-07:00April 10, 2023|Comments Off on Music Like Water

At Thirty-Five

Setting Robert W. Service's poem of the same title, At Thirty-Five is a wry, occasionally poignant and ultimately uplifting rant about the doldrums of what we might now call a "mid-life crisis".

By |2023-04-14T02:38:36-07:00April 10, 2023|Comments Off on At Thirty-Five

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