Category: Composing

Celebrating the ZSR Singers 2026 Summer Choral Intensive

It was new, unique, and affirming. With 30+ singers from Southern California and beyond, ages ranging over 7 decades, a week’s worth of work culminating in a serviced-based performance of 5 songs sung with spirit and purpose, it was truly wonderful! Our deepest thanks goes to Kirk Averitt and the Church of the Good Shepherd in Arcadia for hosting our program so generously and allowing us to ground our work on Sunday morning, singing for a purpose greater than ourselves.

Zanaida Robles at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis

Memories from St. Louis

The premiere of my O Magnum Mysterium for soprano and organ for the American Guild of Organists convention in St. Louis earlier this month was wonderful. My deepest appreciation goes to soprano Christine Brewer and organist Christopher Houlihan for bringing my piece to life. Here’s a video from AGO’s Facebook page:

There have been several requests for the score from organists curious to try it out at their own churches. I’m grateful to the American Guild of Organists for commissioning me and making it possible for me to travel and be present for the premiere.
By the way, the famous St. Louis Arch is so much more inspirational in person than I ever imagined it would be.

I also ate some of the best barbecue of my life at Sugarfire Smokehouse in downtown St. Louis.

Upcoming events

The Road to Carnegie Hall

Choirs can sign up now to join us in song at one of the greatest performance spaces in the world.  Zanaida returns to Carnegie Hall in NYC to perform Shawn Kirchner’s Songs of Ascent and more, in March 2027.  Individual singers can join the fun as part of the ZSR Singers, as we travel to New York and experience this journey together.  Learn more and find application links on the website:

Get details

Composition

Lessons about time

With a commission due this fall, and two more in the works for next year, I’m at maximum capacity as a composer. Ongoing efforts include continuing to study orchestration, trying to use notation software more efficiently, self-promotion, and marketing — all things that are essential to building a composing life and a body of work as a creator.

But it’s an ongoing challenge, and taking much longer to reach my summer publishing goals than I hoped it would. I’m still trying to release four new titles on the MusicSpoke marketplace this summer. The editing process continues to vex me (not to mention ASCAP cataloguing and US copyright fees).

As long as I feel inspired to keep composing, I guess I have to accept that I still have a lot to learn. And patience is paramount, because it’s gonna take as long as it needs to take. Somehow, I suspect I’m not the only one grappling with some of this…  

For Fun

Thing 1 (Archie)
Thing 2 (Ollie)
Hope your summer is inspiring, restful and not TOO hot!

Originally published as the July 2026 e-newsletter from Stewart Robles Music. View the online version here

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From the Stone Age

I recently shared on social media how I often create demo recordings of new compositions so I can hear and feel what works in the piece and what doesn’t. The example I used was from my piece “From the Stone Age” for SSA choir, piano, cello, and flute. 

Here’s my demo post on Facebook:

Here’s the link

Do you already use recording devices and apps to practice and test out new works you’re learning or writing? If not, whether on your phone or in a dedicated recording studio, record yourself. Then, play it back and harmonize with your own voice – it’s great practice, and it’s fun.

Click the button to order the score and listen the complete demo recording for “From the Stone Age.” I still love how this piece turned out.

Listen and order on Musicspoke
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Resigning with Love

April 26, 2026 will be my final day serving as Director of Music for Neighborhood Unitarian Universalist Church in Pasadena. The decision to leave was truly difficult, as Neighborhood Church has been place of musical and spiritual nourishment to me for almost 8 years. The time seems right for this transition as my focus has shifted toward embracing new opportunities to compose, teach, sing and conduct on a larger scale. 

I am deeply grateful for Neighborhood Church and for all the blessings that came with serving as its music director. To be able to conduct, sing, compose, and play handbells while serving this community has been a true blessing and a joy. The Neighborhood Church music community is special due to its rich legacy that extends many decades before my time here. And I know Neighborhood Church music programs will flourish long after I conclude my service as music director.

Composing

While I’m still reading and studying a lot about composition and orchestration, I’m starting to turn my attention toward summer publishing, hoping to get 4 new works out into the world: Winter Branches for SATB voices a cappella, premiered in December 2025 by Kantorei under Joel M. Rinsema; The Root for SATB voices a cappella, premiered in May 2025 by Sacred and Profane Chamber Chorus under Rebecca Seeman; Beautiful for SSA voices and piano, premiered in May 2025 by Spirito Singers under Carling FitzSimmons; and LA River Scenes for solo piano, premiered in December 2025 by Aron Kallay for Piano Spheres‘ “30 for 30” concert series. 

Singing

Creating demos and doing session work remains a great joy of mine. More, please!

Conducting

Join the Facebook group to be notified about registration and more updates

Interns wanted

Apply here
Check out the Facebook group

For Fun

Our amazing Harvard-Westlake performance in Costa Rica

Ready for multiple rides on Ghost Rider at Knotts Berry Farm!

Visiting my alma maters:

First I visited Audubon Middle School to re-connect and learn about their current music programs. 

Then I visited USC Thornton and heard the USC Concert Choir with beloved teachers and friends:  L to R, Marisa Rawlins, Bruce Rogers, Cristian Grases, Paul Smith:

Also, hugs and deepest thanks to Dr. Tram Sparks (not pictured) for exquisitely conducting my “Veni Sancte Spiritus”.

And of course…

Shrimp cats?

Ollivander the Majestic

Ready for love

Looking forward to the next phase…

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MY MANTRA

Singers are athletes. Athletes are artists.

Say it again.
And again.
And again.

Actually, I think all performing artists are athletes. Think about the implications – the importance of health and fitness, the hours of practice and rehearsal, the training, the coaching, the performances, the injuries and ailments, the competitions, the tears of failure, the tears of triumph. What other parallells do you see? When I think about the parallells between arts and athletics, I feel more open to the possiblity of connection beyond my music circle. The possibility of deeper, broader connections in the greater community excites me and gives me hope for the future.

Singing

On Sunday, March 28 at 10am, I’m singing “Precious Lord” for a special Truth and Reconciliation service at Neighborhood Church. Being able to sing this special song from the bottom of my heart while in the context of my church work is a blessing I never take for granted.

Composition

While I’m working on 3 new commissions at the moment, orchestration and composition studies are occupying much of my time. Taking lessons, reading Piston and Adler, studying works by various orchestral composers, and working on foundational assignments to help improve my compositional process – it’s humbling but rewarding.

Conducting

We’re on tour in Costa Rica, where I’m conducting the Harvard-Westlake choirs in 3 concerts over 6 days. Pura vida! 

For Fun

Memories from the Western ACDA Regional Conference in San Jose:

With conductors Kevin Tyson, Jeffrey Benson, and Scot Hanna-Weir
With singer/composer/activist Melanie DeMore
Promoting my compositions
Promoting my compositions
I’m on an advertising poster!

At the river’s edge – such beauty and energy just a 5 minute walk from home.

Cat meld

More adventures to come,

Originally published as Zanaida’s March 2026 email newsletter – You can join the list here.

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Christmas antiphon

We each are a miracle. 
Our gathering together is a miracle.
And we are each other’s gifts.

My favorite part of the holiday season happens within the first 10-15 days after Thanksgiving, when Christmas lights are just starting to appear on houses. The sparkle and splendor of the season feel new and long-awaited. That’s when the first holiday parties start, the baked goods are fresh, and the potlucks feature the first fruits of our holiday spirit. Because many students have finals, juries, and projects due the week before winter break, schools put on their holiday concerts and festivals as soon as possible after Thanksgiving. Teachers have what feels like NO TIME AT ALL to build back the rehearsal momentum lost from the Thanksgiving break, and must immediately produce the most highly anticipated (and mandatory) performances of the year. Students learn the meaning of grace and hope as they succeed despite their frequent tardiness, unexpected absences, and lack of preparation, sometimes due to illness and often due to severe overwhelm due to all their other social and academic obligations. It’s a time of frenzy, high stress, and anxiety, but also beauty, tenderness, nostalgia, and magic – I love it.

We each are a miracle. 
Our gathering together is a miracle.
And we are each other’s gifts.

Around 10-15 days before Christmas, people are exhausted. Students and teachers stress over juries and finals. The decorations are starting to look boring and worn out, instead of nostalgic and precious. At this point, folks are tired of bringing and eating potluck food. The leftovers are overwhelming and unwanted. The awkward Secret Santa and “white elephant” gift exchanges are happening, whether you like it or not.

We each are a miracle. 
Our gathering together is a miracle.
And we are each other’s gifts.

Whether I’m 10 days into the season, 10 days out from Christmas Day, or it’s the 10th day of Christmas (January 3) and I’m ready take down the Christmas tree 2 days early, I constantly long for that remarkable moment when time stops and we recognize that all the preparation, hard work, and risks we’ve taken have led us back to each other, back to being together. Concerts, shows, church services, family gatherings, parties with friends and co-workers… all our gatherings are miracles. We each are a miracle. Our gathering together is a miracle. We are each other’s gifts. I think about how this compares with the nativity story, the first Christmas: a story of traveling and toiling and risking and trying. It’s messy and painful. Think of all the waiting, the searching, the desperation and disappointment; the fear. And then… the miracle of birth in a most humble place. 

Each of us was a risk that someone once took. This Christmas, may we remember… 

We each are a miracle. 
Our gathering together is a miracle.
And we are each other’s gifts.

Up Your Game Reading Session

Ready to “up your game” as a choral singer? Prepare to make connections, build musicianship skills, and be inspired. During this 3-hour session, you’ll make music with and learn from session singers, contractors, conductors, and teachers offering real-world insight and experience in the field of choral music.

Registration now open

Program Fees:
$60 Student Fee
$100 General Fee

Scholarships available
Scores and refreshments provided
Designed for Advanced Singers Ages 15+

For Fun

Pics with pianist Aron Kallay, plus my Dad, my friend Mark Hilt (formerly from Harvard-Westlake), and my friend Donna Perkins from Neighborhood Church… all at the premiere performance of my piece LA River Scenes on December 16.

Thank you to everyone who was there. It was an incredible performance!

We got a beautiful new piano for Christmas. This instrument was cherished for decades in the home of a dear friend, and it will be cherished in my own home for decades to come.  (The kitties like it, too!)

Merry Christmas, Happy Kwanzaa, and a very Happy New Year!

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