SATB, French horn     [c. 2:00]

Energetic setting of old English carol text, using alternation of duple and triple time.

[virtual realization through Sibelius Sounds]

SSA, unaccompanied     [c. 3:45]

Commissioned by Anne Tomlinson and the Los Angeles Children's Chorus (and heard on their website), this virtuoso piece is rhythmic and driving in its search for peace. Chosen by Paul Salamunovich for his series on Alliance. (Watch the YouTube video.)

[excerpt from live performance by the Los Angeles Children's Chorus, Anne Tomlinson, music director]

Children's voices (two-part), piano     [c. 6:00]

Composed for the Los Angeles Children's Choir in memory of their beloved Apprentice Choir director, this simple, tender piece expresses the words of Karen Lynn Davidson in a mostly unison setting.

[Excerpt performed by the Los Angeles Children's Chorus, Anne Tomlinson, director.]

SATB choir, unaccompanied     [c. 1:40]

Beautiful song from the California Missions in a very simple arrangement, from solo voice to SATB.

[excerpt performed by Zephyr, on A Choir of Angels II: Mission Music (Civic Records)]

SSA, unaccompanied     [c. 3:00]

Commissioned by Mary Breden for her high school girls' choir, this deceptively simple folk poem about love receives a simple folk song-like setting.

[excerpt performed by Ex Indigo Singers, Tracey Linden, director]

solo voice, piano     c. 4:00

A flowing, ruminative setting of Fr. Gino Vanzillotta's poem about St. Francis di Paola.

[virtual realization through Sibelius Sounds]

SATB, unaccompanied     [c. 2:00]

A straightforward, concentrated and intense setting of a powerful poem by Emily Dickinson. Musically not difficult to learn. Second of a set entitled A Heart So Touched.

[excerpt by Chorus Angelorum, conducted by Dominic MacAller]

SATB, tenor solo, organ, flute, cello, handbell     [c. 18:30]

Commissioned for the 40th anniversary of the Benedictine Abbey at Valyermo, this reflective and meditative piece sets a poem by Philip Edwards, OSB, along with some Latin excerpts from Psalms 47 and 86. At the premiere, the final section included liturgical dance.

[excerpt from the premiere, conducted by Frank Brownstead]

SATB, unaccompanied     [c. 3:30]

Composed for Zephyr's planned CD of wine music, this light and jazzy piece sets a text of bittersweet nostalgia.

[excerpt performed by Zephyr: Voices Unbound]

SATB, cello     [c. 2:10]

Winner in the 2005 American Composers Forum/VocalEssence Christmas Carol Competition, this buoyantly rhythmic setting uses an early Christmas text (in English with Latin refrain), and was premiered by Philip Brunelle and VocalEssence.

[Excerpt by Philovox Ensemble, Jane Ring Frank (conductor), Rafael Popper-Keizer (cello) for ECS]

Treble chorus (SA), opt. oboe, piano     2:30

L'amour de moy (English title: The Garden and the Nightingale) was commissioned for the Intermediate Choir of the L.A. Children's Chorus, and premiered by them in June 2008 at Ambassador Auditorium in Pasadena, with Mandy Brigham conducting. Its character is light, lively, with a touch of the medieval in the setting.

[excerpt by the Los Angeles Children's Chorus, conducted by Mandy Brigham]

TBB, unaccompanied      [c. 8:00]

Composed for and premiered by Paul Salamunovich and the Loyola-Marymount Men's Chorus, this four-movement setting (in English) is based on a beautiful Epiphany chant and alternates moments of exhilarating power with prayerful repose.

"The Kyrie is like incense rising up to heaven."
Paul Salamunovich,
Music Director Emeritus of the Los Angeles Master Chorale

[sample excerpted from A Mass of Life, CD-289 from G.I.A.]

SATB, unaccompanied     [c. 3:30]

With lyrics (in English) based on a lullaby from the Dominican Republic, this setting delves into the bittersweet feelings of a parent reflecting on the eventual departure of her child. First of the set A Heart So Touched.

[excerpt performed by Chorus Angelorum, Dominic MacAller, conductor]

SATB, unaccompanied     [c. 5:00]

A setting of Marcia Falk's brilliant translation from the Song of Songs, this passionate, sensual choral piece was a surprise wedding gift for the composer's wife. Third of the set A Heart So Touched. (Watch the YouTube video.)

"A most precious composition with great beauty contained in sustained lines, underpinned with tender harmonic weaving."
Robert Kreutz, composer

[sample excerpted from A Mass of Life, CD-289 from G.I.A.]

SATB, unaccompanied     [c. 3:15]

Gibson's third Emily Dickinson setting, completing a triptych with He Fumbles At Your Spirit and It Was Not Death. Commissioned and premiered by Matt Gray and the De Angelis Vocal Ensemble (Orange County, California).

[excerpt by De Angelis Choral Ensemble, Matt Gray, director]

SATB, celesta     [c. 3:10]

A virtual lullaby (marked "Tender, with quiet joy"), this setting of the Gregorian chant Introit for Christmas Day is strophic in the style of a carol, complemented by celesta, which ends the piece with an echo of the original chant.

[excerpt realized through Sibelius Sounds]

SATB, brass quartet (or organ)     c. 2:40

The widely sung 16th-century English anthem Rejoice in the Lord Alway can now be performed in double choir fashion using this setting. The first choir is the original SATB setting; the second choir can be performed by brass (or any other quartet of instruments) or simply organ. Text is included for those who actually use two separate SATB choirs.

SATB, organ, 3 trumpets, 3 trombones     [c. 12:30]

Commissioned by Frank Brownstead, this setting of a rich collection of Advent and Christmas texts (in both English and Latin) begins with heraldic fanfares and concludes with explosive Alleluias for chorus and brass.

[Excerpt performed by Chorus Angelorum, Dominic MacAller, conductor]

SATB, unaccompanied      [c. 4:15]

Combining the most familiar plainchant with motives from the other common chant melody, Salve Regina ranges from simple unison to soaring counterpoint, reflecting many periods of sacred music. Composed for Zephyr: Voices Unbound for the ensemble's first CD.
(Watch the YouTube video.)

[Excerpt from A Choir of Angels II: Mission Music, Civic Records CVC1-0005-2.]

Medium voice and piano     [c. 6:30]

Commissioned by soprano Elin Carlson and included on her debut CD And What of Love, this set of three songs explores love from differing viewpoints: "An Evening Song" (American folk verse, attributed to Esther Mathews), "Infinite Fires" (from Marcia Falk's poetic translation of The Song of Songs), and "He Fumbles At Your Spirit" (Emily Dickinson).

[Excerpt from And What of Love, Eroica JDT 3074.]

SSA and chamber ensemble or chamber orchestra (oboe, English horn, bassoon, harp, strings)     [c. 15:30]

Commissioned and premiered by the Los Angeles Children's Chorus for their 15th anniversary, this three-movement work sets Lewis Carroll's "The Walrus and the Carpenter," "Beneath a Sunny Sky" (the haunting acrostic that closes Looking-Glass), and "Jabberwocky." Parts of this work are heard in the Academy Award-nominated documentary about LACC, Sing!.

[First movement excerpt performed by the Los Angeles Children's Chorus, Anne Tomlinson, director]

SATB, unaccompanied      [c. 2:50]

An old German Christmas poem inspired a bouncy, lilting melody for this charming motet in a neo-Praetorius style, culminating with a joyous cascade of "Alleluias." (German or English) Performed by the Los Angeles Master Chorale, under Grant Gershon, for their 2004 holiday programs at Walt Disney Concert Hall.

"An exquisitely crafted jewel of a carol, both original and timeless...a fresh and welcome addition to the a cappella Christmas repertoire."
Grant Gershon,
music director, Los Angeles Master Chorale

[Excerpt performed by Chorus Angelorum, Dominic MacAller, conductor]

Tenor, oboe, viola, and cello [c. 4:30/c. 5:00]    

In a setting that echoes the poems' atmosphere of bittersweet longing, the singer and instrumentalists interact as equals.