Blog

New Launch of Simple Boat

2010-07-08T21:43:40Z

Ron Ellis' new transcription of SIMPLE BOAT is simply stunning! It was premiered today, under his direction, by the University of Central Florida Symphonic Wind Ensemble, at the national convention of the American School Band Directors Association in Orlando. Since my music (I thought) is inseparable from the words and emotional intent of the text, I was curious to see if it would translate as a purely instrumental work. The colors that Ron coaxed from the ensemble in his exquisite scoring convince me that emotional content is inherent in the melodies, rhythms and harmonic language themselves; that form and architecture, gestures and turns of phrase, inevitability of harmonic rhythm all contribute to what we "feel" from the music. I still know that the initial musical impulse, for me, comes directly from my response to the words (and thank Ron for including the texts in the players scores as they unfold). I think and write poetically. But I am also aware that emotion thus embedded in the musical language remains, whether or not the text is present. I am honored by this transcription and the artistry our UCF students brought to the performance.

The Big Easy

2010-06-30T12:12:26Z

Just home from Cheryl Dupont's marvelous Crescent City Choral Festival in New Orleans. Cheryl and I worked with young singers from five states, culminating in a concert at the historic St. Louis Cathedral on Jackson Square. The program included my PSALM 150, A SONG TO END ALL WAR, and A LIVING SONG. Brava to Cheryl and her festival organizers for an outstanding weekend! In addition to talented and eager singers, I enjoyed warm, southern hospitality and memorable seafood at the Palace Cafe, Bourbon House, Deanie's Seafood and the Redfish Grill, strawberry basil and lemon verbena ginger popsicles at Meltdown Gourmet Popsicles, a snowball (NOT snowcone) at Hansen's original 71-year-old location, and a beignet... or two.

Music For Friends

2010-06-23T23:25:29Z

Much of my work is on commission, collaborations with new colleagues I’ve recently become acquainted with (or not yet met), or close friends with whom I have shared a long professional and personal history. There are other times, however, when a new work happens for no reason other than I want -- and need -- to write something for someone dear to me.

WELL SUNG SONG for my “second mom”, Sarah Schutte, is the most recent gift, just bestowed a few weeks ago. It says what words along cannot. Friend and poet Scott Lounsbury describes our shared journeys and destiny in beautifully musical words.

ALL I WAS DOING WAS BREATHING was a dreamed-of project with my good friend Sandra Snow and her women’s chorus at Michigan State University, which she premiered at the 2009 national ACDA convention in Oklahoma City. I was so taken by Dessislava Nenova’s cello performance in this piece, that I wrote a short solo cello work for her last year.

A LIVING SONG for Doreen Rao celebrated the occasion of the 20^th anniversary of the Choral Music Experience Institute for Choral Teacher Education in York, England in 2006. IN THE BEAUTY WAY was also for Doreen at the 1997 Institute and TWO FOR FUN (Eletelephony and Mrs. Snipkin & Mrs. Wobblechin) were a gift of early pieces when I was an assistant director with her marvelous Glen Ellyn Children’s Chorus.

I wrote a few birthday greetings and a wedding gift for long-time friend Jeff Reynolds. He also initiated the THREE SONNETS OF JOHN DONNE (Batter My Heart, Three-Personed God, A Hymn to God the Father, At the Round Earth’s Imagined Corners), the SATB version of O MUSIC, and the large scale choral/orchestral work ODE TO THE PRESENT AND FUTURE DAYS, which he premiered at Canterbury Cathedral in the summer of 2000.

I THANK YOU GOD FOR MOST THIS AMAZING was written for Stephanie Mitchell Nash and her Women’s Glee Club, when she was a doctoral student at the Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music.

O LITTLE TOWN OF BETHLEHEM was a surprise Christmas gift for my mom, sister and niece a few years back.

IF I COULD FLY was a gift for Bill Worrell, sculptor and friend from Art, Texas, whose work moves and inspires me. This is actually an arrangement of a song he wrote and sent me. A recording of him singing to his own guitar accompaniment with pinon fire crackling in the background is a treasured memento.

WINTER CHANGES was written for Dr. Robert E. Thomas, mentor and friend, who first introduced me to the young poet Emily Clare Forsythe by sending her poem in a Christmas card, saying she said I “had permission to set it to music if I liked”. He, too, introduced me to ageless poetry, known by heart. His recording of favorite poems is another special keepsake. ACCEPTANCE was also written for Dr. Bob.

AFTER THE FIRE and IF I CAN HELP SOMEBODY were written for my own choirs at the University of Central Florida and first performed by them (and me).

THE US OF ME, my only authored text, was for Scott Sells, partner and friend.

Most of my Christmas music has been for me. Whether there are fewer collaborative projects at this time of year, or because I have been drawn to interesting poetry of this season, many happened “just because”. CHRISTMASTIDE, BEAUTIFUL STAR OF BETHLEHEM, THE SHEPHERD’S CAROL, WELCOME ALL WONDERS, CHAUNTECLEERE, DOWN IN YON FOREST, THE FRIENDLY BEASTS, STILL, STILL, STILL, IN THE BLEAK MIDWINTER and NEVER A CHILD AS HE are all works I’ve just wanted to write.

Chorus America Consortium Commission

2010-05-25T13:22:30Z

I just put copies of SPIRITUAL MUSICK in the mail last week to thirteen children’s choirs from the U.S., Canada and Scotland who “purchased” me last year at the Chorus America silent auction. Auction organizer and friend Paul Caldwell didn’t have to persuade me to donate this in support of Chorus America’s work. The piece is a quirky setting of Christopher Smart’s unusual text from Jubilate Agno, a long free-verse manuscript written between 1759 and 1763, during Smart's confinement for insanity in St. Luke's Hospital, Bethnal Green, London. Benjamin Britten memorably used Smart’s text in his Rejoice in the Lamb, for SATB chorus and organ. This version is set for treble voices with piano and a little band of snare drum, bass drum and triangle. It’s a rhythmic, angular, declamatory recitation of the instrument rhimes (“For there is the thunder-stop, which is the voice of God direct. For the rest of the stops are by their rhimes.”) SPIRITUAL MUSICK will premiere – thirteen times! – next season. See the listing under WORKS: Music for Treble Choirs for the names of the choirs and their directors. I can’t wait to hear it!

Southern Gals Premiere

2010-05-17T19:21:56Z

The Girl Choir of South Florida, directed by Wallis Peterson, presented their spring concert yesterday afternoon in Ft. Lauderdale and it was one of the most enjoyable concerts I’ve heard in a long while. The concert, crafted around the theme of journeys and destinations, featured music from many cultures, backgrounds and traditions and in many languages. All three choirs, from the youngest to most experienced singers joined together for the final “return home”, the premiere of SOUTHERN GALS.

SOUTHERN GALS is a medley of six folksongs originating, migrating, or having something to do with life in Florida, all from the perspective and experience of young women. It was great fun to write (a first for me, the medley thing) and a joy to hear. The Girlchoir staff, always mindful of the total audience experience, projected vintage black and white photographs of equally vintage women, a great touch!

I admired the spirit of the singers, the dedication of the artistic and support staff, and their many proud volunteers and parents and was happy to have been a part of this happy celebration. They have many outstanding years ahead of them!

War Eagle!

2010-05-11T00:37:48Z

Just back from Auburn University (thus the heading's orange and blue battle cry!) where I conducted the Alabama ACDA Young Singers Festival Middle School Mixed Chorus Friday and Saturday. The singers were well-prepared and a delight to work with. Dedicated organizers have done this for the past 18 years or so -- a real committment to the children of Alabama. While there I enjoyed gracious southern hospitality and real-home-squeezed-lemonade from Toomer's Drugstore. Feel like an alum!

Rainstick Debut

2010-05-05T21:57:28Z

Rehearsal last night with the Frederick Children's Choir in Frederick, Maryland. Conductor Judy Dubose commissioned RAINSTICK for their 25th anniversary which they'll celebrate in a culminating concert on Sunday. RAINSTICK is a setting of Heaney Seamus' delightful poem which describes the sounds and sensations of this natural music-maker. For SSA chorus, piano and 8 (count 'em!) rainsticks. A terrific time with Judy, daughter/assistants Lee and Ann, and their talented singers. Best wishes on this significant anniversary!

My Kind Of Town

2010-05-03T22:13:23Z

Just back from Chicago where I spent the last several days with colleagues Henry Leck and Judith Willoughby and children from California, Nebraska, Iowa, Nevada and Maryland at the Heritage Children's Choir Festival. Rehearsals and closing service at the iconic Rockefeller Chapel at the University of Chicago made all the more memorable by the chapel's renovated organ, now fully functional and the largest in Illinois. Magnificent! I conducted my SONG TO END ALL WAR as part of the morning service. Great to see my friend Paul Caldwell for Indian dinner at Hema's Kitchen Friday night and the fresh organic 'shroom pizza with spinach and goat cheese at Crust on Saturday -- fantastic! A beautiful afternoon in Millennium Park and world famous Garrett's carmelcorn made the trip complete!

BBQ, Blues and....Elvis

2010-03-15T20:49:02Z

Just back from the Southern Division ACDA convention in Memphis, which was a huge success. Congratulations and thanks to Brad Almquist and his convention dreamers and planners. I was so pleased to hear ISN’T THAT SOMETHING performed with great effervescence and style by Jeff Clayton’s Chorale women from the Douglas Anderson School of the Arts on Friday. Brava!

Sandra Snow’s Children’s Honor Choir sang A LIVING SONG as part of their concert, a well-crafted program which highlighted their voices brilliantly.

Paul Caldwell’s work with the Junior High School Honor Choir was awesome -- adventuresome programming, engaged and joyful singing. A model for all of us.

Jonathan Reed conducted the premiere of BROTHERS OF THE SINGING VOID, the ACDA commissioned work for the High School Men’s Honor Choir. My time with them in rehearsal on Friday was a highlight of the week. They were eager and engaged and brought the music to life in a convincing and honest way.

James Broughton’s wonderful words evoke the music of the spheres, of “star music”. There are unusual juxtapositions of seeming opposites: “percussive silences”, “the intimate roar”, “the singing void” and joyful phrases flung from across time and space. Jonathan said this is the perfect men’s choir text and I agree. The music moves in broad, majestic phrases, with harmonic clusters, a slightly modal feel and echoing refrains of “Brothers! Brothers!” The high school men sang with power and conviction, intimacy and sensitivity. A stunning first performance that will be hard to beat! Congrats to all the singers, conductor Jon Reed and men’s choir coordinator Vic Oakes.

The most unusual musical experience of the week surely came on my birthday night. Dinner with friends at PIG With An Attitude BBQ came complete with an Elvis impersonator who led the room in a southern style “Happy Birthday to Me”! Where else but Memphis!

Bernstein, Bach and Brunner!

2010-03-08T19:55:16Z

Just back from a memorable weekend with the singers of Glenbrook North and South high schools, culminating in two concerts yesterday in the stunning Divine Word Chapel at Techny, Illinois. Bernstein, Bach and Brunner! (and Mulholland, Biebl, Vivaldi, Whitacre, Lauridsen and others…) The chapel is the predominant building of a surprising prairie seminary established in the 1920s by the Society of the Divine Word, with magnificent stained glass, a unique gallery that circles the entire church and a sumptuous acoustic. Bravo to the singers and players, their inspiring and dedicated directors, and all who contribute to the thriving arts environment at the Glenbrook schools!