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Choral concert music, Choral sacred music
Choral concert music
Agnus Dei. SATB, orchestra, 15′. Commissioned by the Mendelssohn Club of Philadelphia, Paul Rardin, Artistic Director, to complement the Mozart Great Mass in C minor. Completed 24 August 2015. Premiered 18 October 2015, The Church of the Holy Trinity, Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia by the Mendelssohn Club of Philadelphia and the Symphony in C, conducted by Paul Rardin
Solo with band and orchestra: 2003, medium voice, violin, piano, 3 Latin perc, double bass-2.2.2.2-4.3.3.1-timp.2perc-str. 6′
Choral: 2017, arr. for 2-pt choir, pno, opt. Latin perc, bass, instr solos. 6′. Premiered Central High School Choirs 25 May 2017, Jacqueline Smith cond.
Alleluia. SATB, 6′. Premiered by the Central High School Full Choir, Philadelphia, 21 Dec 2017, Jacqueline Smith, Director. The Vocal Arts Ensemble in Cincinnati performed it 11 and 12 January 2018 on a concert with Canticle, and then recorded them both for a CD, released 2018.
And Good in Every Thing. SATB, 5′ (Shakespeare). For the choir of The Church of the Holy Trinity, Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia, commissioned by Dr. John French, Organist/Choirmaster, to honor The Reverend Alan Neale for ten years of service as Rector. Premiered 15 June 2014.
And this, our life, exempt from public haunt, finds tongues in trees, books in running brooks, sermons in stones, and good in every thing.
—As You Like It, Act 2, Scene 1
The Arc in the Sky. SATB, unaccompanied, 65′ (Robert Lax). Commissioned for The Crossing, Donald Nally, conductor. Premiered June 30th, 2018, at the Presbyterian Church of Chestnut Hill, Philadelphia. CD released 2019. 2020 Grammy nomination, Best Choral Performance, The Crossing.
Canticle. SATB, 3 cellos, 1 percussionist playing vibraphone, bass drum, tambourine, 65′. Commissioned by the Vocal Arts Ensemble of Cincinnati, Craig Hella Johnson, Music Director. CD released 2018. 2020 Grammy nomination, Classical Producer of the Year, Blanton Alspaugh.
The Chambered Nautilus. SATB div., opt. kbd. 5′ (Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr.). $2.30. Commissioned by the Cathedral Church of St. Paul, Boston, Ed Broms, Director of Music, for its 100th anniversary as the cathedral of the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts, October 7th, 2012, and the dedication of its new sculpture, Nautilus.
This is the ship of pearl, which, poets feign, Sails the unshadowed main,— The venturous bark that flings On the sweet summer wind its purpled wings In gulfs enchanted, where the Siren sings, And coral reefs lie bare, Where the cold sea-maids rise to sun their streaming hair. Its webs of living gauze no more unfurl; Wrecked is the ship of pearl! And every chambered cell, Where its dim dreaming life was wont to dwell, As the frail tenant shaped his growing shell, Before thee lies revealed,— Its irised ceiling rent, its sunless crypt unsealed! Year after year beheld the silent toil That spread his lustrous coil; Still, as the spiral grew, He left the past year’s dwelling for the new, Stole with soft step its shining archway through, Built up its idle door, Stretched in his last-found home, and knew the old no more. Thanks for the heavenly message brought by thee, Child of the wandering sea, Cast from her lap, forlorn! From thy dead lips a clearer note is born Than ever Triton blew from wreathèd horn! While on mine ear it rings, Through the deep caves of thought I hear a voice that sings:— Build thee more stately mansions, O my soul, As the swift seasons roll! Leave thy low-vaulted past! Let each new temple, nobler than the last, Shut thee from heaven with a dome more vast, Till thou at length art free, Leaving thine outgrown shell by life’s unresting sea!
The Consolation of Apollo. SATB, crotales, bass drum played by singers. 35′ (Boethius, the crew of Apollo 8). Individual movements available.
Complete score, audio, text, and notes here. Commissioned by Eric Owens for The Crossing.
The Dawn’s Early Light. SATB, Cello, Four Guitars, 19′. Text: Life Among the Piutes (1883), Sarah Winnemucca Hopkins (c.1844–1891), ed. K.S., and “The Star-Spangled Banner” (1814), Francis Scott Key (1779–1843). Commissioned for Conspirare and Craig Hella Johnson, in collaboration with the Los Angeles Guitar Quartet. Premiered November 2nd, 2019 by Conspirare, the Los Angeles Guitar Quartet, and cellist Douglas Harvey, Craig Hella Johnson conducting, at the Austin Independent School District Performing Arts Center, Austin, Texas, and November 3rd, 2019 at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, Houston.
Grandmother’s Garden. 2-part Children’s Choir, Piano, opt. C Instrument, 9′ (John Archambault). Commissioned by Settlement Music School, Philadelphia, in honor of the 10th Anniversary of the Gleeksman-Kohn Children’s Choir, Rae Ann Anderson, director.
The Heavens Declare. SATB, SAB soloists, audience, piano. 4-1/2′ (Psalm 19:1–4, 14)
The heavens declare the glory of God, the skies announce the work of his hands.
Day after day they pour out their speech, night after night they tell what they know.
There is no speech, there are no words, their voice is not heard.
But their line goes out over all the earth; they proclaim to the ends of the world.
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you,
O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.
—Psalm 19:1-4, 14
How Do I Love Thee? SSAA with piano or string quartet. 7′ (Elizabeth Barrett Browning)
How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight
For the ends of Being and Ideal Grace.
I love thee to the level of every day’s
Most quiet need, by sun and candle-light.
I love thee freely, as men strive for Right;
I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise.
I love thee with the passion put to use
In my old griefs, and with my childhood’s faith;
I love thee with a love I seemed to lose
With my lost saints—I love thee with the breath,
Smiles, tears, of all my life!—and, if God choose,
I shall but love thee better after death.
—Elizabeth Barrett Browning (1806-1861)
“Sonnet 43,” Sonnets from the Portuguese, 1845
I Could See the Sky. For SATB, 2-part Treble Choir, Keyboard, optional String Quartet, 17′ (Treble Choir may be boys and/or girls or a few women)
Jubilate Deo. 2019. SATB, organ. Psalm 100, Latin, 6′. Commissioned by Ursinus College and dedicated to Dr. John French, on the occasion of his 40th anniversary of service to Ursinus College. Premiered 28 April 2019, Ursinus College Choir and Meistersingers, Alan Morrison, organ, conducted by John French.
Magnificat from Vespers, 3 Soprano soloists, SSATB, accompaniment arr. for harp, organ
May Day. 2015, 2-part children’s choir, SATB, 10′ (Ryan Eckes)
my son my son. Text by Robert Lax SATB, 5′. Commissioned by Khorikos. Premiered 3 Nov 2018, Shrine Church of Saint Anthony of Padua, New York City.
Now ys the Tyme of Crystymas. SATB div., opt piano. 4′ (Richard Hill). $2.60
Lett no man come into this hall, Grome, page, nor yet marshall, But that some sport he bryng withall, For now ys the tyme of Crystymas. Yff that he say he can nought syng, Some other sport then lett him bryng, That it may please at this festyng, For now ys the tyme of Crystymas. Yff that he say he can nought do, Then for my love ask him no mo, But to the stokkis then lett him go, For now ys the tyme of Crystymas. Make we mery, both more and lasse, For now ys the tyme of Crystymas.
Now ys the Tyme of Crystymas. Vocal quartet (SATB), opt piano. 4′(Richard Hill). $2.60
Out of the Depths. SATB. 6′ (Psalm 130). Commissioned by Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church, Jeffrey Brillhart, music director, and premiered there 13 Mar 2016.
O Rex Gentium. SATB. 6′ (O Antiphon). Commissioned by Choral Arts Philadelphia, Matthew Glandorf,artistic director, and premiered 2 Dec 2015, at St. Clement’s Church in Philadelphia as part of their O Antiphons project.
O Rex Gentium, et desideratus earum,
lapisque angularis, qui facis utraque unum:
veni, et salva hominem,
quem de limo formasti.
[O King of the Nations, and their desire,
the cornerstone, who makes both one:
Come and save mankind,
whom you formed out of the clay.]
Psalm 46. Baritone-2*.2.2.2-2.2.3.1-timp.1perc-SATB-str. 14′
Rejoice in the Lamb. SATB, 5′. To Dr. John H. French, on the 25th anniversary of his ministry as organist/choirmaster of The Church of the Holy Trinity, Rittenhouse Square, Philadelphia. Premiered 2 July 2017.
Rejoice in God, O ye Tongues; give the glory to the Lord, and the Lamb.
Hallelujah from the heart of God, and from the hand of the artist inimitable.
For a NEW SONG also is best, if it be to the glory of God; and taken with the food like the psalms.
Let Asaph rejoice with the Nightingale—The musician of the Lord! and the watchman of the Lord!
—Christopher Smart (1722-1771)
Three Prosits for Männerchor. TTBB, 1′ each.
Two Laudate Psalms. High voice, SA, piano. 10′ (Psalms 113, 150, Latin)
Vespers. SSSATB soloists from within the choir, SSAATTBB choir of at least 16 singers, Renaissance band of seven players. 65′. $21.00 full score, $13.00 vocal score, $75.00 parts.
The Waking Sun. 2011. SATB, string quintet, theorbo, organ. 38′ (Seneca). $15.00 full score
Where Flames a Word. SATB div. 13′ (Paul Celan). $6.30
You Are Most Welcome. SATB, 4 (Jeffrey Dinsmore). Commissioned by The Crossing, premiered by them 8 Jul 2016.
Choral sacred music
Alleluia. SATB, 6′. Premiered by the Central High School Full Choir, Philadelphia, 21 Dec 2017, Jacqueline Smith, Director. The Vocal Arts Ensemble in Cincinnati performed it 11 and 12 January 2018 on a concert with Canticle, and then recorded them both for a CD, released 2018.
The Common Service of 1917. The Common Service, published 1917, was issued jointly by the General Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in the United States of America, the Trustees of the General Council of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in North America, and the United Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in the South. Notation has been revised and some text updated, and all newly re-engraved 2012 and 2014, by Kile Smith and the Rev. Dr. Michael G. Tavella. Available for use by all English-speaking Lutheran churches.
Gospel Acclamations (Verses). Many of these.
Jubilate Deo. 2019. SATB, organ. Psalm 100, Latin, 6′. Commissioned by Ursinus College and dedicated to Dr. John French, on the occasion of his 40th anniversary of service to Ursinus College. Premiered 28 April 2019, Ursinus College Choir and Meistersingers, Alan Morrison, organ, conducted by John French.
Kyrie sample. Unison congregation, opt. descant, organ. $3.00
Kyrie and Gloria Patri. For congregation and organ, with cantor or choir (opt. SATB). The choir may sing in parts or unison. In the Kyrie the choir or a solo voice may be cantor. Separate congregation part available for bulletin. Commissioned by the Presbyterian Church of Chestnut Hill, Philadelphia, Daniel Spratlan, music director, and Cynthia A. Jarvis, minister.
Magnificat, from Vespers, 3 Soprano soloists, SSATB, accompaniment arr. for harp, organ
Magnificat. SATB, handbells, opt. organ. 4′
Magnificat Antiphon. SATB, congregation, organ
Kyrie (based on Christe redemptor)
Gloria (based on Lobt Gott, ihr Christen)
Alleluia (based on Resonent in laudibus)
Sanctus (original, but referring to Divinum mysterium)
Agnus Dei (based on A solis ortus cardine)
Offertory. Reformation—Romans 12:1,2 (bar, SATB, org)
I appeal to you, therefore, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, that you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Passion Sunday Chant, Instrumental Interludes
Psalm 8. Hymn. O Lord, Our Lord, Your Excellent Name (text by KS, based on Psalm 8)
Psalm 29. Holy Trinity Sunday (unison, accompanied, with [opt. SATB] Antiphon). “Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.”
Choral, in preparation
Amazing Grace. opt. SATB solos, SATB.
My God, Accept My Heart This Day. opt solo instrument, SAB solos, SATB, organ.
Psalm 84. SATB.
Psalm 117. 5-part round.
That Easter Day with Joy Was Bright. SATB
Vocal music
Solo with band and orchestra: 2003, medium voice, violin, piano, 3 Latin perc, double bass-2.2.2.2-4.3.3.1-timp.2perc-str. 6′
Choral: 2017, arr. for 2-pt choir, pno, opt. Latin perc, bass, instr solos. 6′. Premiered Central High School Choirs 25 May 2017, Jacqueline Smith cond.
Alas, and Did my Savior Bleed
1981; high voice, organ; 4′
Five Scottish Songs
1984; high voice, piano; 15′
1. Two Girls Singing (Iain Crichton Smith)
2. Anemones (Marion Angus)
3. The Lodging (George Mackay Brown)
4. Wedding (George Mackay Brown)
5. On a Cat, Ageing (Sir Alexander Gray)
Holy Mountain
1982; high voice, organ; 4′
In This Blue Room
2015; mezzo-soprano, baritone, piano; 45′
Jesus, Thou Joy of Loving Hearts
1982; high voice, organ; 4′
Magnificat
2003; soprano, soprano recorder, percussion. 6′
Mark the Music (William Shakespeare)
2014; soprano, tenor, baritone, piano; 4′
Morire (Irma Bartoli)
2005; medium voice, piano; 4′
Plain Truths
2011/2013; baritone, piano or string quartet, and optional chorus; 20′
Poems of Gerard Manley Hopkins
1989/2000; high voice, piano; high voice, orchestra; 11′
1. Spring and Fall
2. As kingfishers catch fire
3. Henry Purcell
Poems of Stephen Berg
2000; soprano, clarinet, piano; 9′
1. Ibycus: Fragments 2, 3, 4 (B.C. 536)
2. Always
Psalm 46. Baritone-2*.2.2.2-2.2.3.1-timp.1perc-SATB-str. 14′
Stationen auf dem Wege zur Freiheit (Dietrich Bonhoeffer)
1998; soprano, tenor saxophone, piano; 15′
1. Zucht (Discipline)
2. Tat (Deed)
3. Leiden (Suffering)
4. Tod (Death)
There Is No Great and No Small (Ralph Waldo Emerson)
2016; mezzo-soprano, piano; 3′
Thine for Ever
1982; soprano, organ; 4′
Three Italian Songs
2005; voice, piano; 10′
1. Morire (To die) (Irma Bartoli)
2. Autunno (Autumn) (Giovanni Maggianni)
3. Donare (To give) (Alexandra Fuso)
Three Italian Songs
2005; medium voice, violin, cello, clarinet, bass clarinet; 10′
1. Morire (To die) (Irma Bartoli)
2. Autunno (Autumn) (Giovanni Maggianni)
3. Donare (To give) (Alexandra Fuso)
Three Songs, No. 1 (Percy Bysshe Shelley)
1978/2000; high voice, piano; 12′
1. The Isle
2. Yet Look on Me
3. Memory
Three Songs, No. 2 (Gordon Brown Birrel)
1979; tenor, piano; 9′
1. Comings
2. Wee Wiggly Wee
3. To a Waterfall
Three Songs, No. 3
1979; high voice, piano; 8′
1. Batter My Heart, Three Person’d God (John Donne)
2. On Zacheus (Francis Quarles)
3. The Voice of Still Waters (Mary Sheetz)
Three Songs, No. 4 (Kile Smith)
1980/99; high voice, piano; 8′
1. Reading Gulag by the Fire
2. The Rainmaker
3. Untitled
Three Songs, No. 5 (Gerard Manley Hopkins)
1989; high voice, piano; 14′
1. Penmaen Pool
2. Spring and Fall
3. Henry Purcell
Two Laudate Psalms. High voice, SA, piano. 10′ (Psalms 113, 150, Latin)
Two Tunes by Gerard Manley Hopkins (harmonized K.S.)
1989; high voice, piano; 4′
1. Who is Silvia? (William Shakespeare, 1st version)
2. Who is Silvia? (William Shakespeare, 2nd version)
who are you, little i (e.e. cummings)
1981; high voice, piano; 3′