Musician
Anthem for Solo SATB Quartet, flute, Bell Choir and Organ (or piano)
This is a meditative piece that’s kind of the quiet before the storm of the Passion music for Good Friday. Â I originally wrote it for my bell choir at the Presbyterian Church of Barrington, a group that I affectionately labeled, “The Ladies who Ring”.
The bells on this recording come from the storied Bell Choir dynasty of the Union Church of Hinsdale.
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.)