SATB Piano This piece was written for Stuart Wilkinson and the Saskatchewan Youth Choir. The poem, by Canadian poet Ken Mitchell, celebrates the cowboy, a simpler lifestyle, and reminds us that there is beauty in our natural environment. It is a fun piece to rehearse and … [Read more...]
Magnificat Anima Mea
SATB Violin Cello Piano Written for Jeannie Pernal and the Grande Prairie Boys Choir, the piece was commissioned by the congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer (the Redemptorists). The text is found in Luke, I used only the first four verses (Luke 1:46-49). The piece begins with … [Read more...]
Powertool Concerto (Operarii Aedificatores Sumus)
TTBB, Boys Choir, Cello, Organ, Powertools Of all the things I’ve written and performed, the Powertool Concerto is probably the one thing that was the most fun to build, to rehearse and perform. Because of the size and scope of the piece, it will probably never be performed … [Read more...]
Ubi Caritas
TTBB divisi Cello Organ This piece was written in 2009 for a concert called “The Male Choral Tradition” which is an annual concert by Pro Coro Canada. Performed at the Winspear Centre for Music in Edmonton, the recording here captures the live performance of Martin Johann … [Read more...]
Three Winter Songs
SATB Piano. A set of three songs: 1 A Winter Bluejay, 2 A Winter Night, 3 Snow Song. Written for iCoristi Chamber Choir in their final year with founding artistic director, Dr Debra Cairns. The music is set on three poems by Sara Teasdale. Although the poet probably never … [Read more...]
From Darkness to Stars
TTB or SSA Piano. My good friend Kathryn Sparks kindly sent me this poem to work with. I wrote this as an art song and added some harmonies for the trebles of the Grande Prairie Boys Choir. I found that the arrangement worked well for TTB also, and I recorded a little demo of … [Read more...]
Dies Irae
TTBB cello organ This was composed for Esquire Alberta Men’s Chorus for their enaugural performance at the Winspear Centre for Music in Edmonton Alberta. The recording is from the live concert. This features Martin Johann Kloppers (cello), Dr Joachim Segger (organ) and Esquire … [Read more...]
And Einstein Said
SATB a cappella in six movements. Originally written for Dr Richard Sparks and Pro Coro Canada for a concert entitled “Space”. This piece has caught the attention of several choirs and has been performed and recorded. The six movements are each rather short, the whole piece is … [Read more...]
Three Encounters
SATB Piano In three movements: 1 Shallow Arms (divisi a cappella), 2 An Angel Embraced Me, 3 I Heard the Sky. These pieces were composed for Dr Richard Sparks and Pro Coro Canada, the premier performance recordings can be heard here. The third movement "I Heard the Sky" can also … [Read more...]
The Wise Ram
SATB divisi a cappella This piece was written one summer day after a memorable mountain trek with my family including my teenage daughters, nieces and nephew. I led them up rather steep scree slope, and upon seeing a magnificent ram, I inadvertently left them on the slope while … [Read more...]
Tango of Clean
SATB Piano This was written for Lisa Ward and ihana youth choir in Red Deer Alberta. The text is found on a shampoo bottle. This piece is fun to rehearse, challenging and fun to perform, and always gets some laughs and enthusiastic appreciation from audiences. It features a diva … [Read more...]
Rimini 1944
SATB a cappella This piece was commissioned by Chronos Vocal Ensemble, Jordan Van Biert conductor. The sample recording here can be found on “the simplest way” by Chronos Vocal Ensemble. Available at Chronos Vocal Ensemble The poem was written by an unknown Canadian soldier … [Read more...]
O My Son, My Son Absalom
SATB a cappella This piece was the winner of the iCoristi Choral Composition Competition (say that five times fast) in 2015. The piece is a very accessible SATB divisi a cappella setting on the familiar passage from ll Samuel “O my son, if only I had died instead of you”. Rich … [Read more...]
Jag Vill Möta…
1 Rustad, 2 Jag har Sett, and 3 Mäktigt. Written on a compelling poem by Swedish poet Karin Boye (1900-1941). Armed, erect and closed in armour I went forth, But my mail-coat was cast of terror and shame. I want to drop my weapons, my sword and shield, All that hard … [Read more...]
Les Plaines D’Abraham
SATB or TTBB a cappella In three movements: 1 La Ville Râlait, 2 Sous Les Murs, 3 Le Spectacle. Composed for the Grande Prairie Boys Choir, Men of Note (Jeannie Pernal conductor) (or the GPBC MON as they are known to their friends...), this set of three pieces was written … [Read more...]