A request by Artistic Director Susan Glass for a new choral work addressing climate change resulted in the creation of “Planet Earth Lullaby.” Composer Rich Campbell contemplated and determined the piece would be both an alarm for help and a call to action. For over a century the internationally recognized distress signal has been the […]
Click here to follow the score: https://youtu.be/kSR8gohqJVY This setting of ‘Jesus, friend of little children’ was written about 30 years ago, for the baptism of our younger daughter. It was written as a soprano solo with piano accompaniment. In this current version, it may still be performed as a solo, if desired, but I have added […]
Multiple divisi lines in soprano and alto and unison tenor/bass create an effective textural setting of this text from Isaiah 42: “Behold my servant, whom I uphold: my chosen one in whom I delight.” SSSSAAAB unaccompanied.
Nearly every December, Christmas sneaks up on me far too quickly, busy as I am with end-of-semester grading and final exams. I’m an admittedly nostalgic guy who unabashedly loves Christmas music, and every year I think to myself ‘I really should have written a Christmas piece this year’. Christmas 2015 followed a similar pattern, except […]
Short choral blessing (text from the Old Testament) written as part of 2001-2003 Composer Residency at San Francisco’s National Shrine of Saint Francis of Assisi. Premiered by resident ensemble, Schola Cantorum SF
SATB a cappella settings of three ancient Latin texts in a style reminiscent of Renaissance polyphony, but mixing dissonant and tonal harmonies in a challenging but singable texture. Melodies are often disjunct, even passing from section to section, but always lyrical and poignantly expressive. De castitatis thalamo, virgo virginum, and Ave Maria. Ave Maria also […]
This modern English version of a 9th Century Old Irish benediction lends itself well to both concert and liturgical performance. Liturgically, it fits well as a call to worship or as a communion meditation. The text recalls the doxology given in Revelation 7:12.
An English translation of the poem “Friede auf Erden” by Conrad Ferdinand Meyer (1825-1898) is set for SSATB choir unaccompanied. Referencing the Christmas story, this setting brings to life the text with lush harmonies freely changing key centers as the story progresses. Each of the four stanzas ends with a variation on the musical material […]
This anthem is a setting of words from Psalm 5. It is particularly suited to church performance during devotional or penitential seasons such as Lent, or in prayer or dedication services. The anthem was also incorporated as the middle piece of the contrasting set of “Three Anthems“, commissioned by the Purbeck Arts Choir in the […]
“O Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem” was written for John Patrick Cardinal Foley, the Grand Master of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem. It received its first performance on February 11th, 2011 in St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican by the Saint Mary’s University Chamber Singers, with the composer conducting.
Sanford Dole’s Ave Maria is a harmonized setting of the Gregorian chant antiphon. The soprano part is a metrical version of the Gregorian chant melody. The other parts create a harmonic world that is uniquely Dole’s; what his choirs refer to as the “Dolian mode.”
This setting of the Anglican communion/mass service – Gloria, Sanctus, Benedictus, and Agnus Dei – is simple and tuneful. The writing is in the tradition of the great English composers of the 20th century. The Gloria is available as a separate anthem through Swirly. It can be performed as a general-purpose anthem or during the […]
This new setting of the traditional Latin prayer features traditional harmonies and a simple unhurried rhythm, providing ample space for prayer and contemplation of the one blessed among women.
This setting of the traditional “Hail Mary” prayer takes a new approach, employing a lullaby rhythm in F minor. The voices become a haunting plea for forgiveness and intercession. The piano accompaniment provides support for the singers while still maintaining its own voice.
This joyful harvest song may be of particular interest to choral groups within the Jewish tradition, but it may equally prove to be a useful addition to the harvest or thanksgiving repertoire of any choir. The text is taken from World Healing Prayers, with additional text by Linda G Marcus, adapted by the composer. There’s […]
This is a simple a cappella setting of William Blake’s poem, ‘Little Lamb, who made thee?’ The two verses are set for SATB, with an optional soprano solo at the beginning. It was written for Sutton Coldfield Chamber Choir, but is suitable for a group of any size, from quartet upwards!
Golden Apples Of The Sun (SATB, unaccompanied) is a joyful, rhythmic piece with lyrics inspired by a Yeats poem. Accessible, uptempo and exhilarating, it is ideal for civic events and celebrations. It is a dynamic work that is exciting for both performers and listeners. Winner of the Celebration Singers 80th Anniversary Composition Competition.
This original anthem is suitable for all occasions and offers a gentle, contemporary setting of the text used by Anton Bruckner in his well-known composition of the same name composed in 1869. “This place was made by God, a priceless sacrament; it is without reproach.” Genesis 28:16 Exodus 3:5.
