Compositions
Please contact me directly through the contact page for pursual copies of any of these pieces.
Living with Silence
Songs of Love, Hope & Wonder
Composed in 2016 this set of four poems can be performed in its entirety or each movement can be excerpted. The secular setting introduces ensembles to nontraditional choral techniques and creates an interesting tapestry of sound that includes chimes, tuned glasses, bird, and wave sounds. These pieces are easily approachable for high school-aged singers and above. Click on the below links to view or hear the music.
IV. SHINE
Composed in the summer of 2020 this set of pieces can be performed in its entirety or each movement can be excerpted. This set of pieces is composed for advanced choral ensemble.
I. Silent Music
II. Silence of the Sea & Stars
A Prayer for Our Time
Composed in 2009 for the Houghton College Choir, this short sacred text has been set for SATB Chorus and simple string accompaniment. This piece is very straightforward but has one passage that requires advanced female singers to accomplish beautifully.
Agnus Dei
This setting of the traditional mass ordinary text is a wonderful and simply set piece approtpate for
Ave Dulccimus Maria
This sweet and rich piece uses techniques common among minimalist composers like Arvo Part. The sacred text's depth of meaning sings in with each repeat. The rich dense harmonies that use extended range would be best suited for experienced ensembles.
This work was composed for the Christmas Prism at Houghton College and is for large chorus and orchestra.
Come Great Lord of Might
Gloria
This setting of the Gloria text is exciting and utilize mixed meter to stress the importance of the text. This piece is going to be most successful with experienced singers.
I Believe
The text of this piece is an amalgamation of the sacred credo text mixed with statements from twenty-first century people about what they believe. The nature of the text is both sacred and secular.
Kyrie
Simple and elegant this lonely setting of the Mass texts emulates the sinners feelings of lonelyiness and emptiness
Let All Mortal Flesh
This large dramatic setting of this hymn is scored for full symphony orchestra and large chorus. Very effective for large scale performances.
Locus Iste
This more advanced setting is short but demands much from the singers. Its dense harmonic language and complex rhythmic structure add to this beautiful ancient latin text
Videntes Stellam
This setting of a lesser known Latin texts tries to capture the beauty of the stars. It is well suited for advanced choirs and is most effective contrasts more moving sections with more static lines emulating the stars.
Psalm 121
Two Settings by Emily Dickinson
This lively setting of Psalm 121 features lots of sectional division and is best suited for more advanced ensembles. Composed for the Houghton College Choir it was premiered in 2007.
This piece is comprised of two short settings of Emily Dickinson poetry. Love is Anterior to Life and Not in Vain were premiered in 2001 with the University of Arizona Women's Choir and were selected for a New York Honor Choir. These pieces are straight forward and set for SSAA Choir, Cello and Viola. Short and tuneful these pieces are well within the grasp of high school ensembles. The pieces work well independently of the string compliment.