VOCAL/CHORAL
Much of my choral and vocal music can be purchased through J.W. Pepper
Treble
Johny Has Gone for a Soldier | SSA
Where Can I Go? | SA
The Brook | SA
The Winter Owl | SA
Two Landscapes of Song | SA
The Hurricane | S(S)A
I Saw Three Ships | SA
I Celebrate Myself | SSAA
Out, Damned Spot | SSAA
I'll Never Study | SSAA
Solo Voice
Beautiful Things | soprano, violin, piano
Patti Rides the DART | soprano, flute, piano
Jack | tenor, piano
Voices in the Night | baritone, piano
Tenor/Bass
The Brook | TB
The Cold Winds Blow | TB
The Winter Owl | TB
Black Riders Came from the Sea | TB
I Saw Three Ships | TB
Keep A-Goin' | TB
In Umbra | TTB
Mixed Voices
I Saw Three Ships | 3-part Mixed
I Will Be Worthy of It | SAB
The Hurricane | SAB
I Saw Three Ships | SATB
Lux in Tenebris | SATB
Incendiary | SATB
Outside In | SATB
Johnny Has Gone for a Soldier (2023)
BriLee Press
SSA choir
The familiar text of this American and Irish folk song is graced with a fresh melody and refrain before partnering with the original folk tune in this beautiful setting for treble choir. It is a solid choice for developing lyrical legato lines and allows singers to develop a mature tone that will translate well for performances.
The Cold Winds Blow (2023)
Carl Fischer
J.W. Pepper Editors' Choice
TB choir
Walter de la Mare's adventuring text is aptly set in this wonderful piece for tenor-bass choirs. A natural fit for any winter concert, the piano accompaniment brings the roll of the sea while the vocal lines bravely traverse the wintery wind and waves with confidence and strong harmonies that suit the story.
Black Riders Came from the Sea (2023)
Michael John Trotta Emerging Series/BriLee Press
TB choir
SA choir (coming soon)
Beginning with an ominous ostinato from the choir, "dum digga digga dum," this piece sets Stephen Crane's short but vivid poem describing the invasion of a fast-approaching enemy army. An engaging concert work for developing tenor-bass choirs that they're sure to like!
I'll Never Study (2022)
Mark Foster/Hal Leonard
2021 American Prize Finalist Honorable Mention
SSAA choir
Composed in honor of the 100th anniversary of the passage of the 19th Amendment guaranteeing and protecting women's constitutional right to vote. With satirical lyrics, liberation and empowerment are the important messages in this blues-infused music. Composed for the TWU Concert Choir performance at the
2020 Texas Music Educators Association Convention.
The Winter Owl (2020)
BriLee Press
J.W. Pepper Editors' Choice
Voicing Options:
SA choir
TB choir
This compelling setting of a William Shakespeare text vividly describes the winter season with its frigid temperatures and chilling wind. In contrast, the owl hooting merrily is illustrated with a change in meter and accented syncopated phrases. This minor-mode piece provides an interesting change of pace for winter concerts.
I Will Be Worthy of It (2020)
Michael John Trotta Signature Series/Carl Fischer
J.W. Pepper Editors' Choice
SAB choir
With an empowering text urging the singer to press on regardless of difficulties or setbacks one may face in life, this musically satisfying piece is propelled by a driving piano and interesting rhythms in the vocal parts that mimic the intrinsic motivation spoken of in the lyrics. With a modern sound and engaging harmonies, this work will make a wonderful closer or opener.
Patti Rides the DART (2020)
E.C. Schirmer
Song cycle for soprano, flute, and piano
Patti's unexpected and often humorous experiences riding the DART (Dallas Area Rapid Transit) were chronicled online and eventually discovered by the composer. Inspired by Patti's pithy, sarcastic, and self-effacing observations, he went on to create a set of seven musical miniatures for soprano, flute, and piano. Ideal as a humorous recital element or as a comedic change of pace, Patti Rides the DART will resonate with audiences and remind them that whatever is posted online may eventually become an art song!
Incendiary (2019)
SATB choir
Commissioned by the Flower Mound High School Jaguar
Chorale, Flower Mound, TX
Outside In (2019)
SATB choir
Commissioned by the Ryan High School Choir, Denton, TX
Two Landscapes of Song (2019)
Carl Fischer
SA choir
Who Robbed the Woods? and O Cool Is the Valley Now combine to create a set that both explores the subtle beauty, serenity, fragility, and resiliency of nature and examines our relationship to the natural world around us. For SA voices, this enchanting, contrasting pair of songs can be performed as a set, or each can stand alone nicely.
Lux in Tenebris (2019)
Carl Fischer
J.W. Pepper Editors' Choice
SATB choir
Reinforced by a driving piano accompaniment, the inspiring text "We follow the light that shines in the darkness" is made musically poignant through the confident vocal line. A few Latin phrases are interspersed with English lines of text to create a mature and significant concert work that remains accessible for developing mixed choirs. A wonderful selection!
The Brook (2019)
BriLee Press
J.W. Pepper Editors' Choice
Voicing Options:
SA choir
TB choir
Like an ever-moving brook, chattering along, captured by the perpetual motion of the piano part, the use of the asymmetrical meter creates a constant sense of forward momentum in this delightful piece for treble choirs. Opportunities abound for literary connections, diction, tone, and meter with this text from a poem by Alfred Lord Tennyson.
Beautiful Things (2019)
E.C. Schirmer
Song cycle for soprano, violin, and piano
Each song of this work sets an essay from Beautiful Things, a collection of 28 short essays by author Michelle Webster-Hein. Each essay is a short discourse on finding beauty in simple things each day, and the musical setting attempts to convey the same sentiment. The set of songs may be performed in any order, or the individual songs may be performed as stand-alone pieces. The score is written for soprano, violin and piano, and includes a separate pull-out score for the violin part.
Jack (2018)
song cycle for tenor and piano
Commissioned by John Green
Out, Damned Spot (2018)
Mark Foster/Hal Leonard
2019 American Prize 2nd Place Winner
SSAA choir
In depicting the manic nature of this Shakespeare text, the music features numerous key changes and employs a variety of time signatures. The combination of the dramatic text along with the ever-shifting music will require a full range of emotions and vocal virtuosity from your treble choir.
I Celebrate Myself (2018)
Mark Foster/Hal Leonard
SSAA choir
The Walt Whitman poem Song of Myself conveys both a sense of confidence and a spirit of adventure and is powerfully set in this treble voice arrangement. The text affirms our uniqueness as individuals but also stresses our interconnectedness to each other and the world. The music captures these characteristics with a constant drive and sense of excited anticipation.
I Saw Three Ships (2018)
BriLee Press
J.W. Pepper Editors' Choice
Voicing Options:
SA choir
Three-part Mixed choir
SATB choir
TB choir
Jolly and jaunty, rhythmic and fun, this energetic setting of the traditional English carol is sure to be a holiday favorite for your choir. Accessible ranges and a supportive accompaniment make this a great choice for developing choirs. Add the optional frame drum and flute parts for a more stylistic interpretation.
In Umbra (2017)
Carl Fischer
TTB choir
Bold, daring vocals exemplify the translation of the Latin text, "In the shade, therefore, we will fight." When coupled with the rhythmic, forceful piano accompaniment, male ensembles of all sizes will sound fantastic singing the accessible Latin text. Supportive piano and compelling text join forces in this exciting concert piece. Pronunciation guide provided.
Where Can I Go? (2017)
Carl Fischer
J.W. Pepper Editors' Choice
S(S)A choir
This spiritual setting of the Psalm 139 text, supported by a driving piano accompaniment and optional tambourine, really rocks! Wonderful harmonic moments and fun interplay between the voices provide opportunities to create excitement and explore expressive singing. Treble choirs of all levels will enjoy performing this unique spiritual which will delight audiences at any concert performance.
Keep a-Goin' (2017)
BriLee Press
TB choir
Tenor-Bass ensembles will enjoy learning this uplifting song full of fun rhythms, toe-tapping, and accessible ranges. With lyrics that encourage the singer to persevere no matter what challenges lie ahead, this soulful and energetic gospel-style piece will be a wonderful choice for your next concert.
The Hurricane (2016)
BriLee Press
J.W. Pepper Editors' Choice
J.W. Pepper Basic Library
Voicing Options:
S(S)A choir
Three-part Mixed choir
This setting of a text by William Cullen Bryant really conveys the excitement of a hurricane! Knee slaps, finger snaps, and blowing sounds effectively imitate the rain and wind while the piano contributes just the right percussive effects to complete the illusion of the storm. "Lord of the winds! I feel thee nigh, I know thy breath in the burning sky!"
We the Ragged (2015)
SATB choir
Commissioned by Trinity United Methodist Church, Denton, TX
Loss is Indeed Our Gain (2014)
baritone and organ
A New Creation's Joy (2014)
SATB choir
Commissioned by Trinity United Methodist Church, Denton, TX
If God Is For Us (2013)
SATB choir
Passiontide (2012)
cantata for soloist and SATB choir
The Fallow Ground (2011)
Pierrot ensemble with baritone solo
Uprooted (2007)
song cycle for bass, piano, and percussion