Choose Life, Uvacharta Bachayim
Text, Delores Dufner
Choose Life, Uvacharta Bachayim is one of my major works. I wrote it in 1994 when I received a Faith Partners Residency from the American Composers’ Forum. There were three congregations in my partnership. I wrote a piece for each group and one they could all perform together. I was fortunate that Delores Dufner, OSB, was providing the text for the group piece, the oratorio Choose Life.
The San Jose Chamber Orchestra and The Choral Project made a commercial recording of the work at Skywalker Sound. Making the recording took energy and concentration from everyone involved. It was stressful, but great fun. You can read about the process here.
You can hear samples of the whole piece here.
New Choral Pieces: St. James Music Press
I’m very pleased that two of my sacred choral compositions have been accepted for publication at St. James Music Press. The church music I write fits in perfectly with their philosophy.
The two new pieces and links to listen or buy are right here.
Psalm 150, Praise Eternal God
was composed for the Cathedral Choir of the Basilica of Saint Mary for their 2012 tour of France and Belgium. Text in English or French.
The World is Filled with Creatures
text by Thomas Hassing,
was commissioned by the American Composers’ Forum for the Basilica of Saint Mary. Joyful, humorous lyrics praise animals in this song for the Feast of St. Francis. All animals from fish to bees to birds and pets are mentioned in the many verses. The catchy melody is reminiscent of a merry-go-round.
