I’ll never forget hearing the first performance of Nancy Galbraith‘s Missa Mysteriorum, in 1999 by the Mendelssohn Choir of Pittsburgh. This piece (along with Adams’ Harmonielehre) meant so much to my musical development and education. I am forever thankful that Robert Page commissioned this work, and so grateful that Nancy has composed for us a new, full orchestra version to premiere at Montview this Spring.
Subito Music interviewed me about our upcoming Paulus portrait concert at Montview, in collaboration with St. Andrew United Methodist Church, Highlands Ranch.
Stephen’s music shaped our American choral “sound” and we are honored that our concert may help continue his legacy.
Many thanks to my friends and colleagues for sharing their incredible talents yesterday and helping to record demos of my two new choral arrangements, completed last fall. It was a blast! (and much better than watching all that pre-game Super Bowl nonsense on TV)!
Another new arrangement is finished — the Appalachian Carol “I Wonder As I Wander” for SATB choir, with piano (sub. chamber orchestra) and alto soloist. With some pandiatonic harmony along with a little mysticism inspired by Vaughan-Williams. Enjoy!
Just completed — my new arrangement of The Sacred Harp tune ‘Beach Spring’ with Robert Edwards’ text “God, Whose Giving Has No Ending.” Scored for SATB Choir and Piano accompaniment, this arrangement is perfect for the volunteer church choir comfortable with four-part singing. An Americana sound, reminiscent of Aaron Copland’s “The Promise of Living,” runs throughout with occasional complex, yet very singable, harmonies. Download link is below — enjoy and let me know what you think!
This summer, I’ll be writing a three movement piece for violinist Sara Caswell, mandolinist Joseph Brent and pianist David Kaplan. Sara & Joe have been performing as a duo for quite some time now, creating a unique combination of jazz, bluegrass and classical. Below is a clip to check out of their arrangement of “Ai Le Lu” – it’s a thill to be writing for such a talented bunch.
Here’s the view from the office tonight — VERY excited to have my first gig in the Stern Auditorium!
Our CDs are finished – so thankful for all the wonderful work by Edel Thomas, the Kent Place Chamber Singers, the Lyrica Chamber Orchestra and our album production team (Holland Jancaitis, Adam Gilbert, Matthew Galbraith, and Paul Vazquez). Nancy Galbraith’s “Four Nature Canticles” will become officially available at Lyrica CD Release Concert this Sunday!
Incredibly honored that my old CMU friend and cantor Arik Luck asked me to do the orchestrations for his performance at Chicago Symphony Center tonight. Break a leg buddy!
No Job for a Woman: The Women Who Fought to Report WWII is re-airing, now on PBS World. Narrated by Julianna Margulies and directed by Michele Midori Fillion, I had a great time writing this score along with Peter Eldridge.
ADAM WAITE 