My five-movement “Mass in E Minor” is being world premiered by the Southern Tier Singers’ Collective conducted by William Culverhouse on Sunday, April 24 in Binghamton, New York.
Here are some pics from ACDA Western Division Conference in Long Beach, March 2-5:
Backstage before I sang “Lift Every Voice” for the All-Conference SingDinner with composer friends, including Saunder Choi, Juan Carlos Acosta, and Amy Gordon.With Dale Trumbore after our successful co-presentation on “Building Meaningful and Lasting Relationships Between Composers and Conductors”
The California State Music Education Conference last week (CASMEC) was an important reminder that I need to see “my people” periodically. I needed to show up, not just to be seen, but to serve. I needed to listen. I needed a place to tell my story. I needed deep hugs from colleagues, some of whom I’d only ever met on Zoom. I needed to hear how much a few college choral music students really like my music; I needed to notice that I actually have a little fan club! I needed time to myself, away from home. I needed to eat a delicious meal with friends. And I needed to be inspired and challenged over and over again by the conference choir performances. In short, I needed some “soul” food. Can’t wait for more at the ACDA Western Division Conference in Long Beach, CA March 2-5. See more about both as we continue below…
Memories from CASMEC
Composition
Commission inquiries are pouring in!
At the forefront of my mind are commissions for a multi-movement work for SATB chorus and chamber orchestra and another multi-movement work for treble chorus and piano. I’m reading tons of poetry including works by Amanda Gorman, Rhina Espaillat, and Eve L. Ewing. I’m working on a few short instrumental works in preparation for larger works to come. There’s so much to write!!
Performances at ACDA
My works “No Fairy Tale Here” and “Lift Every Voice and Sing” are both being performed TWICE! during the ACDA Western Division Conference, March 2-5: On Thursday 3/3 at 5pm, catch the San Jose State Choraliers performing the world premiere of the SATB/strings version of “No Fairy Tale Here.” And the SSA/piano version of “No Fairy Tale Here” will be performed by the Northern Arizona University Women’s Chorale at 8:30am on Friday, 3/4. The CSULB Bob Cole Chamber Choir will sing my arrangement of “Lift Every Voice and Sing” during their 8pm performance on Wednesday, 3/2. And on Friday, 3/4 at 8pm, I’ll be singing the solo on that same arrangement of mine for the All-Conference Sing. Plus, my setting of “Veni Sancte Spiritus” will be presented in a reading session with one of my USC teachers, Dr. Jo-Michael Scheibe.
Presenting at ACDA
On Thursday, March 3 at 1:30pm, I’m presenting a session with my friend and fellow composer Dale Trumbore called “Come Together: Fostering Meaningful Collaborations between Composers and Conductors“. And on Friday, March 4 at 1pm, I’m participating in a panel discussion on “Writing for the Voices You Have: Composing for Middle School, High School, 2-year College, and Church Choirs“.
I hope you are all doing well and staying healthy. To be perfectly honest, I’ve had a rough time this month. The COVID surge and subsequent cancellation of music events, choir festivals, projects, and rehearsals was emotionally hard to bear. Being Director of Music at Neighborhood Church and conducting the Neighborhood Chorus is an important artistic outlet for me. So having to go virtual and choirless for services and canceling choir rehearsals for the first few weeks of the year left me feeling pretty low. But the love and support of family, friends, and colleagues have helped me to weather this storm. And I’m happy to say that things seem to be looking up.
Resignation from Tonality
After three terrific years, it was time for me to step down from serving on the Tonality Board of Directors. Tonality has many incredible projects on the horizon. And while my journey with the organization is at an end, I wish Tonality all the best in the months and years ahead.
Composition
My work “Veni Sancte Spiritus” will be performed by the Los Angeles Master Chorale in Walt Disney Concert Hall on Sunday, January 30. Get tickets at lamasterchorale.org. Hope to see you there!
Here’s a recent home recording of my Kwanzaa song: “Nia,” with vocals and percussion performed by Natalie, Vincent, and Zanaida Robles. It features the new tongue drum that Vincent got me for Christmas:
This Thankgiving, I’m devoting my little blog post to my cat Ollivander. Having wanted a cat my whole life and never having had one, I am absolutely in love with our precious kitty, and I’m so thankful for him. My husband and daughters and I agree that Ollivander has changed our lives profoundly. He’s simply the best thing that’s ever happened to our family. After our three pet ratties passed away (yes, we had pet rats for 2 years) we knew we needed a new therapy pet. I wasn’t sure if we could afford a cat, and I was worried that our allergies would prevent us from enjoying having him in our home. I was worried he would be too messy, that he would ruin the carpet or the furniture, that he would be a nuisance. But when the chance came to adopt a kitten, I took a leap of faith. Maybe we got lucky, but somehow we ended up with the PERFECT cat. And yes, he can be messy and a little unruly sometimes, but his comic timing and endless loving cuddliness make it all worth while. I can’t thank God enough for this little precious creature. And I can’t imagine how we ever got along without him. Like Natalie says, “now our family is complete” — gotta give thanks for that!
Do you have a pet or other being that you’re thankful for? Pics please!
In the meantime…
Conducting
On Christmas Eve, I’m conducting the Neighborhood Chorus on “What Sweeter Music” by John Rutter, and “Bethelehemu” by Wendell Whalum. I would love to have more singers on all voice parts, so here’s your monthly invitation to join us! We rehearse on Thursday nights in the sanctuary from 7:15pm-9pm.
Neighborhood Chorus is a non-auditioned chorus open to all adults. Our repertoire consists of a variety of classical and non-classical styles, sung in various languages. No training is necessary, however classical choral experience and/or basic sight reading skills are encouraged. Neighborhood Chorus sings 3 Sundays per month at the 11:30am service. COVID vaccination is required of all singers, and we wear masks for the duration of all rehearsals and services.
Please fill out this short form to let me know you plan to sing with us this year. Or just email me.
Composition
I’m flying up to Seattle to hear the premiere of my new choral anthem “Ecstatic Expectancy” at St. Mark’s Episcopal Cathedral for Advent Lessons and Carols conducted by the Canon for Cathedral Music, Michael Kleinschmidt on Sunday, November 28, 2021.
Now I feel like a REAL composer!
Upcoming events
NANM Western Regional Holiday Party
NANM Western Regional Holiday Party is Saturday, November, 27th 2021 @ 5-8pm. Venue address: Marmalade Café 2014 E. Park Place, El Segundo, CA. Menu: Veggie Plate, Salmon, and Steak. Eat, drink, and be merry while enjoying live performances, singing Christmas Carols, and celebrating NANM. Door prizes valued at $100. Tickets are $55.
Harvard-Westlake Winter Choral Concert
Harvard-Westlake Winter Choral Concert, Friday, December 10 at 7:30pm in Rugby Auditorium on the upper school campus (proof of vaccination required). My choirs are singing music of Moira Smiley, Juhi Bansal, and Morten Lauridsen, among others. And my HW Jazz Singers are performing with live jazz combo!
On Sunday , December 19 I’m doing a “Listen Up!” pre-concert talk about Handel’s “Messiah” with Grant Gershon and Jennifer Miller at Walt Disney Concert Hall. Get tickets and come on by.
