Musician
Anthem for Soprano, Tenor and Baritone Soloists, Choir, Organ, Brass and Timpani
This is a big festive anthem for Easter, continuing the male chorus narration of the Passion and ending with a big “Bell Anthem” of “Thanks be to God”. Â This piece pairs with the Psalm “This is the Day”, the tune of which comes back at the end of “Thanks”.
for a cappella choir
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This setting of the Kyrie for SAATTBB choir adheres to the tridentine tradition, in that each text phrase (Kyrie eleison, Christe eleison, Kyrie eleison) is heard three times.
I composed this piece in 2005, while interim music director at the Presbyterian Church of Barrington, IL, my first job out of college. It was premiered as the offertory anthem at a church service that October by the church’s choir. In some ways, I consider it my first “professional†piece, given that it was the first thing I composed as a working professional musician.
for Chamber Orchestra
Scored for flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, prepared piano, harpsichord, portative organ, 4 violins, 2 violas, 2 cellos, bass and percussion.
This was my senior thesis in composition at the University of Chicago. It is a polystylistic romp through the ages, built on three pieces of material: a descending glissando figure, the “La Folia” chord progression, and a waltz. It’s a humdinger of a piece. It’s hard to hear on this recording, but at the end, I have the organist switch off the power supply to her instrument. As the air decompresses, various higher partials in the pipes are activated, creating about the coolest instrumental effect I know.
The recording above is from my senior recital in 2005 and features a bunch of my friends as well as some hired ringers (conducted by me). Here’s a second recording by the Chicago Composer’s Orchestra conducted by Matthew Kasper in 2012 (slightly updated version which I discussed here.)