ON THE HORIZON
Early 2008 has produced several works in progress spanning various styles and genres. I have been toying with some blues pieces and trying to decide what direction to go in for my next major projects. Since I will have lived in three different states by the end of the year, it will be interesting to see what time will permit me to compose.
December '07 continues to be an exciting month for music composition. Lift Every Voice and Sing! is a gospel swing arrangement of the original words and music of James W. and John R. Johnson that were published at the very beginning of the 20th century. The powerful, spiritual and deeply meaningful text and melody are widely known also as "The Black National Anthem." It describes the struggle of a "dark past" but resounds with hope, faith and perseverance of a people who never wavered even against seemingly insurmountable odds. Finally, Johnson's words remind us to never forget what we have learned from our past, an important lesson in any man's history. Lift Every Voice was commissioned by the Boston Children's Chorus.
The First Noel offers treble choirs a fresh and interesting arrangement of a traditional text and melody. It was composed in December 2007 for the Boston Children's Chorus as a submission for NBC's "Clash of the Choirs" promotional competition. Noel was a winning selection and was posted on the NBC clash of the Choirs website.
The Lord's Prayer is one of the latest additions to the treble chorus repertoire for 2007. This piece features an adaptation of the traditional Lord's Prayer for unaccompanied SSAA chorus. The Lord's Prayer is a wonderfully resonant and powerfully ethereal work, excellent for performance in a church cathedral setting.
Laura, How I Love You is the newest addition to the Gardner Choral Series, now available in a SATB, Bar. Solo, Piano, Oboe and Cello arrangement. It was composed as a gift for my wife's birthday, including the text. "Laura" is a tribute to the many wonderful years we have spent together and the many years we hope to spend at each other's side. While it is always a struggle to put into words what my heart wishes to speak, I hope that setting it to music might reveal its truest meaning and my deepest love. I hope to have a performance for her before the end of the next concert season. Surely, wherever the premiere might be, we shall do our best to be in attendance. If you are interested in helping to make this gift come alive by facilitating its premiere performance, please contact me as soon as possible.
A newly arranged version of "Embers" (Through the Smoke of Burning Embers), a tribute to the victims, families and heroes of September 11, 2001, is now available (SATBB and Piano). Originally premiered by Community Bible Church of Omaha, Nebraska in November of 2001, the newest version of Embers powerfully portrays a sense of hope, perseverance and thanksgiving in the midst of tragedy. "Embers" was selected for reading at the Nebraska Choral Directors Association Summer Festival 2007.
I have recently completed a work for SSAA, solo Bb Trumpet, and chamber strings entitled Prayer of Saint Francis. The work features poetry attributed to St Francis of Assisi, born in the late 12th century. Though not actually composed by Saint Francis, his great devotion to God is beautifully echoed in this poem, as much a work of art, as a humble prayer.
Prayer of Saint Francis is now available, including an alternate version for SSAA and Piano.
I am considering writing a piece for Wind Ensemble this year in addition to a series of shorter works for Children's Chorus. The string quartet and other smaller ensembles have also been a consideration. Finally, I hope to find time to compose a choral work to be premiered Christmas 2007, possibly for Men's Chorus.
If you have a specific need for a piece for your ensemble, I am always open to new ideas.