Choral
This majestic choral work weaves together three sources of reverential nineteenth-century poetry honoring the beauty of the aurora borealis, highlighting through text and music the beauty of this brilliant natural phenomenon. Forth From the Northern Skies was awarded the Jean-Slater Edson Prize for Music Composition in 2019.
for accompanied SATB choir with divisi
Forth From the Northern Skies
The premiere performance of Forth From the Northern Skies by the Vassar College Choir, conducted by Dr. Christine R. Howlett
Agnus Dei
for a cappella SATB choir with divisi
A monumental piece providing a beautiful a cappella setting for the religious text, agnus dei qui tollis peccata mundi, meaning, "Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world." It is suited for both choral performance and liturgical use.
Chamber
song for soprano, mezzo-soprano, baritone, violin, and piano
Never Leave Thee
Three voices joined by a diegetic fiddle profess their undying love in this musical deconstruction and reconstitution of two devotional songs of Irish and Scottish folk tradition, Never Leave Thee and The Banks of the Roses. This piece was featured in the Mahagonny Ensemble Composer Showcase of 2019.
Vocals: Gileann Tan, Melanie Donnelly, Logan Pitts
Violin: Max Quill
Piano: Michael Oosterhout
Something Rich and Strange
song cycle for accompanied soprani, mezzo-soprano, tenor, baritone
An electrifying new song cycle for five voices setting the sung texts of the plays attributed to William Shakespeare (1564–1616). This moving series revolves around circular themes of loss and regeneration.
Cup Us ’Till the World Go ’Round
Antony and Cleopatra – Act II, Scene 7
Spring Song, Winter Song
Love Labours Lost – Act V, Scene 2
Thrice Beware
Macbeth – Act I, Scene 1 and Scene 3
Good Night Unto You All
A Midsummer Night’s Dream – Act V, Scene 1
Sing Willow
Othello – Act IV, Scene 3
Full Fathom Five
The Tempest – Act I, Scene 2
I.
II.
III.
IV.
V.
VI.
Emily Drossell, Bianca Barragan, and Melanie Donnelly rehearse "Sing Willow" for the premiere of Something Rich and Strange
VI. Full Fathom Five
Raphe Gilliam solos in the final movement of Something Rich and Strange accompanied by composer George Luton
Carousel
string quartet
A stately and leisurely waltz that delights in its intricate tonal chromaticisms. Appropriate for advanced educational use.
Danse
quintet for clarinet, trombone, harp, contrabass, and percussion
An aclectic band strikes up a lively revelry, alternating solos and interweaving homophony and polyphony at rapid-fire pace.
Movement I (main theme)
Movement II
Orchestral
for orchestra
Ascent
two flutes/piccolo, two oboes/English horn, two clarinets, two bassoons, two French horns, three trumpets, two trombones, bass trombone, tuba, percussion, timpani and strings
In an explosive symphonic expression of excitement and joy, these complementary passions are embodied by intertwining themes and motives, which seek each other out to find contrapuntal resonance together. Ascent was awarded the Jean-Slater Edson Prize for Music Composition in 2019.
Movement I
Movement II
Movement III
Movement IV
for orchestra
All Who Hunger
flute, oboe, clarinet, bass clarinet, bassoon, French horn, trumpet, trombone, two percussionists, timpani, and strings
A lush and original orchestration of William Moore's hymn melody, Holy Manna, pays homage to the song's nineteenth-century roots in Appalachian folk music.