2015

Passion de Jean
voice · piano · 15″
Purchase the score here
A song cycle in six movements for low voice and piano. This work, commissioned by bass Cody Muller and pianist Zachary Peterson, is a setting of the French translation of the Passion narrative from the Gospel of John. The singer personifies all of the different roles in the account, including the Evangelist, Jesus, Peter, Pilate, and various priests and Pharisees; each character is given their own mood or gesture in the accompanying piano. Passion de Jean was premiered in March 2016 at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY.

2014

It Was Good
voice · piano · 7″
A commission from soprano Rachel Hébert as part of a course at Princeton Theological Seminary. This song is an adaptation of the first chapter of Genesis, narrating the creation of the universe from the eyes of the Biblical narrative, beginning with a “Big Bang event” in the piano and ending with God resting from all of the work. While each day of creation is given a distinct musical climate, certain days are thematically linked: days one (light) and four (the sun, moon and stars); days two (the firmament and waters below) and five: (aviary life and sea life); day three (land and vegetation) to six (animals and humans). The work uses chant-like recitative and a lush piano accompaniment that plays an equal role in the storytelling.

Songs of Discovery
voice · piano · 10″
A song cycle originally written for baritone which deals with life lessons learned at varying stages of one’s life. Each song is focused on a poem where the narrator truly “gets it” for the first time, reflecting on transformative experiences where they discovered the true nature of music, joy, grief, and finally, peace and love. With poems from various sources, this cycle is available for high, medium, low voices. The work was premiered by baritone James Camp on March 8th, 2014.

1. How a Little Girl Sang by Vachel Lindsay
2. Joy by Langston Hughes
3. One Worse Thing by Margaret Widdemer
4. Peace by Sara Teasdale

Prosper me not to leave Thee
tenor · piano · 3″
An art song commissioned by Elektra Voyante that utilizes their own poetry; the words cry out to God, asking to be torn down, diminished, and defeated in order to be refreshed, renewed, and stripped of any idols. The work was first performed in the composer’s Graduate Composition Recital on March 8th, 2014, and was soon after performed in Elektra Voyante’s Graduate Vocal Recital on March 13th.

2013

The Time Is Fulfilled
two sopranos · piano/organ · 7″
“The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe the gospel.”
A setting of three texts from the Gospel of Mark that collectively weave together an overview of the life of Christ. The two soprano soloists, which are written in a fairly similar range, each have a chance to serve as narrator. This work was commissioned by Rachel Hébert, soprano and seminarian at Princeton Theological Seminary, and was premiered by her and soprano Andrea Baas on December 16th, 2013.

Three Sandburg Songs
soprano · orchestra · 10″
A setting of three texts from Fogs and Fires by American poet Carl Sandburg. At a Window was premiered by the Westminster Community Orchestra, conducted by Ruth Ochs, with soprano soloist Audra Casebier on April 3rd, 2013.

1. At a Window
2. On the Breakwater
3. Under the Harvest Moon

2012