Project Encore™: 3

To access sound files, click here.

Click here to access Ring, Happy Bells sound file

Click here to access Cycle of Friends, Parts 2, 3, 4, 5  
 
"exceptionally beautiful on many counts."
     -- Chestnut Hill Local, Philadelphia
 
"subtle and fragrant -- beautifully scored for both orchestra and chorus."
     -- John Corigliano, composer
 
"an all-too-rare combination of beautiful texts and refreshing, invigorating music."

The recording submitted is conducted by the composer, who has completed the questions below.

TBD

I chose this text because I think it asks us to acknowledge the minor misdeeds and omissions we permit in our everyday lives. So often we make small allowances for ourselves, fudge things that are difficult for us, or mistreat our loved ones in little ways. Most of the time we allow ourselves to ignore these things, hoping that nobody, perhaps not even ourselves, will notice. I think that those small things are often far more important than they seem, and I hope that this text, and this piece, will remind us to be more careful of ourselves and of one another.

Here 'Mid the Ass and Oxen Mild (arrangement)

Commissioned for inclusion in an annual Lessons & Carols service, this short SATB work is based upon an anonymous 15th century version of the story of Adam and Eve.

This piece is written in a gospel style but has aspects of jazz and modern "classical" writing as well. There is a good deal of call and response and the piece is quite rhythmic. The opening solo, "I have a dream" may be sung by any male voice-type. The "Shouters," male and female voices in unison, sing a repetitive riff on the text "From the hills of New Hampshire! From New York’s mighty mountains!...
This piece is almost certainly a concert finale - the ending is "big."
It was composed in honor of Brown vs. Board Education, May 17, 1954 and

In this work I try to give musical representations of joyful shouts and jubilant song, the vast calm of the sea, mystical murmurs by rivers and mountains, and human hope in the "strong right arm" of the King of the universe. I am a melodic composer, and I try to use a supporting harmonic language that is interesting and challenging to the performers, yet accessible and comprehensible to listeners.