The poem From Spring Days to Winter is by Oscar Wilde (1854-1900) and speaks about a loved one symbolized by the season of spring. She is described as a perfect vision of delight, a glad dove that has golden wings. But upon her unexpected death, the season has, in effect, turned to winter and she is now described as a dove with broken wings. This is expressed musically when the joyful mood suddenly becomes hushed and melancholy. However, the last line of the poem conveys hope amidst grief, “Fond Dove, fond Dove return again!” and expresses a longing that the bereaved mate might again someday experience a restoration of former feelings of joy.
Commissioned by Ken Miller and the Eastern New Mexico Chamber Singers
Finalist in the 2019-2020 American Prize Competition
The text used for I Seek Rest for my Lonely Heart is from an anthology called The Chinese Flute – a collection of ancient Chinese poetry. Because of using an ancient text, the musical materials I chose to use throughout are ancient modal scales (specifically Dorian and Aeolian) to create a more medieval-type sound and atmosphere. The poem itself is a soliloquy describing one who seeks out the peace, beauty, and calm of nature to renew a distressed inner soul.
The monophonic texture used at the beginning for male voices was meant to sound similar to a medieval chant melody. The texture then expands to two voices (for female voices) and then to 4 parts for all singers as it rises to an emotional climax at the end.
Third Prize winner in the 2018 Opus Ignotum 6th International Composers’ Competition (Czech Republic)
Second Prize winner of the 2013 Ithaca College Choral Composition Contest
Winner of the Boston Metro Opera 2012 International Composers’ Competition
Spring, the Sweet Spring is based on a poem by the English Renaissance poet Thomas Nashe (1567–1601) from his Summer’s Last Will and Testament published in 1600. The work is scored for SATB choir and piano cast in a 5-part (ABACA) design. Its character is one of rhythmic vitality, animation, and joy in anticipation of the new season’s arrival.
Finalist in the 2017-2018 American Prize Competition
First Prize Winner of Berkeley Preparatory School 2011 Choral Composition Competition
Second Prize winner of the 2010 Freudig Singers International Choral Composition Competition
First Prize winner of 2001 Denton (TX) Community Chorus Composition Contest
Duration: 3:00 Instrumentation: SATB Choir and Piano
The text of When Your Song Rang Out to Me is by the German Romantic poet Clemens von Brentano (1778–1842) from his drama Aloys und Imelda written in 1812. The musical style that emerged from my setting, however, turned out to be more American-sounding with its prominent use of syncopation and tall chord harmonies.
At the heart of When Your Song Rang Out to Me is an exuberant love song. It joyously celebrates both the vastness of music’s reach – “To the moon and stars . . . to the soaring heavens, to these your song rang out!” – and its mysterious alchemy with love: “While you sang, you dipped yourself into the passion-filled stream of my life . . . As your song rang out to me!”
Commissioned by Dr. David Gerig, former Dean of the College of Fine Arts, ENMU
Duration: 5:00 Instrumentation: Mixed Choir and Piano
