 Choral |  Voice |  Keyboard |
|---|---|---|
 Theatre |  Instrumental |  Publications |
Choral music is one of my favorite and most personal mediums. When we sing, we use what God has provided; nothing else is necessary. I spent my early years singing in choirs of all kinds, both in school and in church. These associations continued through college and graduate school, where I had the opportunity to work with some of the finest conductors of the day.
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The “selected” list below is long; hopefully it demonstrates my love of choral writing. Many fine musicians have come to my aid in performing these pieces, too many to mention. I thank all of them, and cherish the many wonderful moments that we shared in the creative process.
I owe a special debt of gratitude to the late John W. Williams, (1940-2011) one of the finest choral conductors that I have ever known. I first worked with John as a college student at Wittenberg University; for more than 20 years, he provided opportunities for me to work with his choirs and master my choral writing skills. More importantly, he was a mentor and teacher; his programming taught me a great deal about the art of writing for voices. I also owe much of my choral conducting skills to what I learned from this man.
John’s own passion for music making inspired him to take on enormous projects at times, ones with considerable risk, both professional and personal. Some people would urge caution, but John was not the type of man to stand down! His determination rubbed off on this student. Don’t be afraid to challenge yourself. Take those risks and live a life that is worth remembering, one that serves others and changes lives.
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Choral
Songs of Celebration (Expanded version 2022-23)
Soprano, SATB Choir, organ, chamber orchestra
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Resurrection Day
The Paschal Presence
Song to the Holy Spirit
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Come, Beloved of the Maker (2022)
Anthem, SATB choir, organ
Christ Be With Me (2022)
SATB, Unaccompanied ​
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The Lockless Door (2019)
SATB, Chorus, Piano
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This Little Light of Mine (2019)
SATB Chorus, Piano
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This Day of Being (2018)
SATB, unaccompanied
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O Mistress Mine (2017)
SATB, unaccompanied
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Blessed are the People (1981; revised 2017)
Two-part chorus, Solo flute, organ
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Oh For a Thousand Tongues to Sing (2016)
SATB Chorus, organ
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Pied Beauty (2014)
SATB Chorus, Solo French Horn, piano.
Great Spirit Come…… (2012)
From The Trinity Suite, for trumpet/flugelhorn and organ.
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Lord, Make Me An Instrument (2011)
SATB Chorus, piano.
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I'm Nobody!: Three Songs of Emily (2010 - 15)
SATB Chorus, Piano
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I'm Nobody!
Hope is the Thing with Feathers
A Little East of Jordan
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Elijah and the Raven (2008)
SATB chorus, a cappella.
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O God Our Help in Ages Past (2007)
SATB chorus, a cappella.
Set Me as a Seal (2004)
SATB chorus, a cappella, with solo flute.
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Ballads of Grace (2001)
SATB chorus, a cappella
1. Zacchaeus (2001)
2. No Room (2001)
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Nu sculon herigean (1999)
SATB Chorus, soprano solo, organ.
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Psalm 103 (Bless the Lord, O my Soul) (1998)
SATB chorus, a cappella
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1. Bless the Lord, O My Soul
2. As for Man, His Days are Like the Grass
3. The Lord Has Established his Kingdom
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A Message from Paul (1997)
Double-chorus, a cappella.
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Dying at My Music! (1992)
SATB chorus (4-8 parts), flute choir, piano.
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Jeanie With the Light Brown Hair (1989)
Arrangement of a song by Stephen Foster for SATB chorus, a cappella. Published by Hinshaw Press
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Magnificat/Nunc dimittis (1991)
Unison / 2-part choir.
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Live Always in this Knowing (1990)
SATB chorus, organ.
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Absolute and Nothing (1989)
SATB chorus, flute, viola, soprano and tenor soloists, piano.
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Shenandoah (1989)
Male chorus, a cappella
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The War Prayer (1989)
Narrators, Mixed chorus, piano, percussion ensemble.
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Antigone/Creon (1987)
Male chorus, orchestra. Doctoral dissertation.
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Songs of Celebration (1986)
Soprano, SATB chorus, string quartet, organ.
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Resurrection Day
The Paschal Presence
Song to the Holy Spirit
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What Sweeter Music (1984)
SATB chorus, organ.
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Look to this Day! (1987)
Published by Gentry Press (Hal Leonard)
SATB Chorus, piano.
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Annabel Lee (1984)
Male Chorus, piano.
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Monotone (1983)
SATB Chorus, piano.
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Christmas Joy (1980)
Mixed chorus, baritone solo, orchestra.
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Writing for solo voice, like choral music is a great source of personal satisfaction. My work in this area encompasses both sacred and secular music, simple songs and larger song cycles. Some of the works in this section have been published in the past, but are currently out of print. I hope to resolve this situation in the future; for now, please contact me directly for more information regarding these works.
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Writing song cycles is a particularly strong interest; my wife Joan says that I work best with the large scale stuff! I do like the opportunity to create a larger dramatic structure, and to look for ways to make connection between movements. Working with the poetry of Langston Hughes has afforded me this pleasure; not only in the Langston's Lot cycle that is listed here, but also in a new follow-up collection that will be online soon! In years past, I have also benefitted from similar experiences with texts taken from the Song of Solomon (Songs of the Beloved) and civil rights leader Benjamin Chablis (Psalms from Prison). Some of these latter works are sold and pre-computer, but I hope to have them available online in the not-so-distant future.
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In recent years, I have enjoyed a return to smaller projects, courtesy of the talents of my Heidelberg colleague, Bill Reyer. The Simple Songs that are listed on this site are based on original poems written by Bill over the years.
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I have also spent a considerable amount of time setting the words of the American poet Sara Teasdale (1884 - 1933). For more information on this project, please see the Teasdale Songs listing on this page, recordings of selected songs in the Recording section, and articles in the Ruminations section of this website.
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Teasdale Songs (2019-2024)
Soprano, piano
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Redbirds
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SONGS ON TEXTS BY WILLIAM REYER:
Simple Songs (2016 - 2023)
Baritone, piano
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Your Lullaby: Words to a Newborn
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Additional Reyer Songs
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A Rose for the Christ Child (Soprano) 2021
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I Can't Breathe........ (Baritone version) (2020)
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I Can't Breathe........ (Tenor version) (2020)
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ADDITIONAL VOCAL WORKS:
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Soprano, organ
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Langston's Lot: Song is a Strong Thing (2015-16)
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Soprano, piano.
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Soprano and piano.
Langston’s Lot (1996)
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Conservatory Student Speaks of Higher Instrumentation
Tenor voice, alto saxophone, piano.
Songs of the Beloved (1992-93)
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Kiss Me!
Dream Images (Upon my Bed by Night)
My Beloved, My Friend
Set Me as a Seal Upon Your Heart
My Garden, My Vineyard
Soprano, flute, (C flute, alto flute, piccolo), piano, chamber women’s chorus.
Three Baptism Songs:
Cradling Children in His Arm (1992)
Tenor, flute and organ.
Soprano duet, choir, organ.
Baptized into Your Name Most Holy (1986)
Medium voice, organ.
Available through Augsburg-Fortress Press
Set Me as a Seal upon Your Heart (1987)
Songs of Celebration (1986)
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Soprano solo, SATB chamber chorus, string quintet, organ.
Psalms from Prison (1985)
Blessed are the People Oppressed
How Long Will These Walls Stand?
Harken to the Cries
Chains and Leg Irons/Where Do We Go From Here?
Thou art my Cosigner; Thou art my Shepherd
I am Compelled to Protest
We Are Marching
Bass-baritone, piano.
Four Wedding Songs (1977 – 1980)
Hear Us Now Our god and Father
Medium/high voice, organ; piano accompaniment is also possible.
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William Reyer, Heidelberg University
Voice
Sara Teasdale
Langston Hughes
Organ: Hymn-based Compositions
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Good Christian Friends Rejoice
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Holy Manna
How Brightly Shines the Morning Star
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Meditation on Divinum Mysterium
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Twas in the Moon of Wintertime
Multi-Movement Works for Organ
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As the Light of Light Descending
Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence
Lord of All in Human Vesture
The Host of Angels Spreads its Vanguard on the way.....
Christ our God to Earth Descending....
Alleluia, God Most High!
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Partita on “Wittenberg New”
Introduction/Theme: Wittenberg New
Variation III: Fantasia/Interlude
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Additional Compositions
Soprano and organ
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The Trinity Suite
C Trumpet/Flugelhorn and Organ
(Additional forces are required for the middle movement)
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Alto Saxophone and Organ
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Works for Solo Harpsichord
Travelin’ Music (2012-13)
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Selected Works for Solo Piano
Poems for Piano (2022-24; in progress)
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Prelude on a Familiar Tune (2000)
from Just a Few Trifles, Some Hymns and a Prayer (1995)
Buxton Farm (1982)
Piano, four-hands
Works for Solo Accordion
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Toccata and Polka in D Minor (2001)
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NOTES: WORKS FOR SOLO PIANO, ACCORDION
Works for Organ
For years, my Christmas traditions involve writing a new piece for my wife, Joan. As you can see, the pieces are hymn-based; this reflects my interest in not only the tune itself, but also the hymn-text that I associate with it. I love hymn texts; they are like mini-sermons. The best ones have a lot to tell us about our relationship with God.
Some of these works were designed for use as service music; others are appropriate for recital use. My wife has used these settings for both purposes, but other organists can decide for themselves. The timings are very approximate but are listed to provide a general idea of the piece’s length. I am trying to find time to send these off to publishers; for now, please contact me if you would be interested in performing any of these works.
For the convenience of performers, the pieces are listed in alphabetical order by hymn tune title.
Joan Holder McConnell, organ
With Jackie Edwards Henry, harpsichord
Instrumental
My interest in writing instrumental music has grown in recent years. I have spent more time revising these compositions, perhaps more often than I have done with my vocal or keyboard works.
A few pieces exist in multiple versions; other works are re-considerations of earlier projects. Overall, I wish to offer the best of my efforts; some pieces or movements from larger works have been removed from my listings.
My instrumental works also show my interest in borrowed source material, hymn tunes, folk material, etc. that inspires my imagination.
With Chi Chen Wu, piano and Gail Lewinsky,
saxophone, after a performance of Happy
Endings.
The Berlin Suite (2024)
Clarinet in Bb, piano
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Three Pieces Found Missing (2022-23)
Trio for oboe, Alto Saxophone, piano
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A Joyful Sadness
A Cool Passion
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Duo for soprano and alto saxophone
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While I Run This Race (2019-20)
Piano Trio, 6 movements
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Bring Me Joy, While I Run This Race...
Stand With Me, While I Run this Race...
Guide My Thoughts, While I Run this Race...
Ease My Doubt, While I Run This Race...
...For I Don't Want to Run This Race in Vain....
I'm Your Child, While I Run this Race...
Langston's Lot: Song is a Strong Thing (2015-16)
Mezzo-soprano, alto saxophone, piano
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Oboe, piano. (6’)
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Four States of Mind (2013-14)
Oboe, piano, four movements.
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Happy Endings (2014-15)
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Song of Human Fraility and Woe
Tenor saxophone and piano
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Your Morning Rises With a Song (2013)
Alto saxophone, organ.
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The Trinity Suite (2012)
C Trumpet, flugelhorn and organ, three movements. One movement also features two solo voices, choral voices, and triangle percussion.
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Triptych (2011)
Trombone, piano, three movements. February 2012
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Another Fine Mess (2011)
Flute, guitar. Three movements
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Go My Children With My Blessing (2010)
Violin, piano (4')
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Piano Trio (2006)
Violin, piano, cello
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Fantasia
Invention
Nocturne
Song Without Words
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Fantasy for the Beloved (1999)
Solo flute.
Langston’s Lot (1996)
Tenor voice, alto saxophone, piano
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Conservatory Student Speaks of Higher Instrumentation
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A Burgundian Jazz Suite (1994)
Alto saxophone, piano, three movements
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Hommage to Gulliaume (4’)
Chanson à l’amour (4’)
L’Homme Armé (3”30)
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Theatre
Measure for Measure (2023)
Incidental music for the Shakespeare play (fixed media)
Music for solo song in Act IV (Take O Take)
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Eurydice (2021-22)
Incidental music/sound design, designed for productions of a play by Sarah Ruhl (fixed media). Optional singing parts for appearances by the Stones in Hades scenes.
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Oedipus Rex (2019)
Incidental music designed for productions of the ancient play by Sophocles (fixed media)
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Lysistera (2019)
Incidental music designed for productions of the Greek comedy by Aristophenes, in a new, contemporary adaptation (fixed media, live vocals)
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The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time (2018-19)
Incidental music designed for a play by Mark Haddon (fixed media)
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Picasso at the Lapin-Agile (2014)
Solo accordion incidental music provided for a play by Steve Martin
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Lily (1996-98)
A full length one-act opera for children and their families, based on a short story by Walter Wanerin, Jr.
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Publications
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Two Preludes on American Hymn Tunes
Solo organ. Published in a special anthology produced by the Detroit Chapter of the American Guild of Organists. (copies are available through the AGO) 2009.
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Look to this Day!
SATB Chorus and piano. Roger Wagner Choral Series, Gentry Publications, 2005
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Jargon!
Flute and piano. Published in The South Central Journal of Music Scores, Fall 1995.
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Invention (from Three Trifles, A Hymn and a Prayer)
Solo piano. The South Central Journal of Music Scores, Spring 1995.
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McConnell, Doug, and Levinsky, Gail, “Technology Forum”, Mississippi Music Educator, Spring, 1995.
Buccaneers of Buzz (from A Symphony of Bees)
Women’s chorus (SSAA) and piano. 1990, Earthsongs, Inc., Corvallis, Oregon.
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Jeanie With the Light Brown Hair
SATB chorus, a cappella. 1990, Hinshaw Publications, Inc.
Also published in Estonia, 1990, publishing house “Eesti Raamat.”
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Baptized into Your Name Most Holy
Medium voice, organ. 1988, Chantry Press, Springfield, Ohio.
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Set Me as a Seal upon Your Heart
Soprano, flute. 1987, Chantry Press, Springfield, Ohio.
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Four Wedding Solos
Medium/high voice, organ. 1985, Augsburg-Fortress Press.
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“Suggested Anthems for the Church Year,” published in the 1984 Yearbook of the Lutheran Church in America.
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Wondrous Love
SSATB choir, soprano solo, organ. 1980, Augsburg-Fortress Press.
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The Star of Bethlehem
SSATB choir, organ. 1978, Fortress Press.
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CD Recordings
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Elijah and the Raven, SATB chorus, a cappella. Recorded by the Heidelberg Concert Choir for Spring 2008 CD release.
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Look to this Day! for SATB chorus and piano. Recorded by the Heidelberg Concert Choir for Spring 2007 CD release.
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Set me as a Seal, for flute, chorus, a cappella. Recorded by the Heidelberg Concert Choir for their Spring 2005 CD release.
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Langston’s Lot, for tenor, alto saxophone and piano. Recorded by the Langston Trio, as part of a CD recording release, Saxophone and Other Voices, July 2002
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Zacchaeus, for mixed chorus, a cappella. Recorded by the Heidelberg Concert Choir, for their Spring 2002 CD release
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Look to this Day! for chorus and piano. Recorded by the Heidelberg Chamber Singers for their Spring 2001 CD release.
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A Message from Paul, for double-chorus, a cappella. Recorded by the Waldorf College Concert Choir, John Williams, director on The Waldorf Choir: Farewell Concert, February, 1998.
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Nocturne, for solo piano. Recorded by Jeff Jacob on Contemporary American Eclectic Music for the Piano, Vol. IV. New Ariel Records, February, 1998.
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