Composer • Conductor • Singer
SATURDAY, December 10 at 7:30pm
SUNDAY December 11 at 2pm
Belleville Congregational Church, Newburyport, MA
The Newburyport Choral Society presents the world premiere of my composition Guidelines as part of their winter concert called “In Terra Pax.” Guidelines is a commissioned setting of the poetry of Newburyport poet Rhina Espaillat.
SATURDAY, December 10 at 7:30pm
SUNDAY December 11 at 2pm
Belleville Congregational Church, Newburyport, MA
The Newburyport Choral Society presents the world premiere of my composition Guidelines as part of their winter concert called “In Terra Pax.” Guidelines is a commissioned setting of the poetry of Newburyport poet Rhina Espaillat.
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…
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!!
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.
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“.
Hope to see some of you there!
Remember that hail storm in Pasadena a few weeks ago?! I was stopped on the 210 FWY at the time…
Renaissance mashup by Dale Herron. Ollie portrait by Vincent Robles.
