Word painting of a raw, intense poem by Paul Cummings is the essence of this homage to the miracle of music, which begins: Your harmony invades my being; / my body is captured by the embrace / of a melody that leads me out of dark places.
A flowing Spanish setting from Psalm 90 (91): The Lord will overshadow you with his pinions, and you will find refuge under his wings. His faithfulness will encompass you with a shield.
This marvelous love poem by Elizabeth Barrett Browning is dynamically dressed with a rich palette of word painting.
MorningStar - Catalog # MSM-80-304
SATB/congregation, organ [c. 2:30]
This quiet, prayerful English setting for choir with congregational response uses mixed meters to create a timeless flow. Commissioned by Dr. Phil Steinhaus for St. Margaret Mary’s, Lomita, CA.
Excerpt performed by Chorus Angelorum (Dominic MacAller, conductor; Phil Steinhaus, organ]
OCP Publications – # 30104334
SATB, organ, opt. trumpet, opt. brass, opt. strings [c. 4:10, excluding Gloria]
As a follow up to A Christmas Gloria, the movements of this Mass are all based on familiar carols so that the congregation can more easily take part. Included are: Holy, three Acclamations, Amen, and Lamb of God, all using the latest translations of the Roman Missal. Strings for all sections now available from the publisher.
Watch on YouTube: Glory to God, Holy, Holy, and Lamb of God
Performance of "Holy" provided by OCP.
Available from the composer
SATB chorus, organ, opt. brass quartet, opt. timpani [c. 12:00]
Designed for the substantial entrance procession at a cathedral ordination, this setting of text from Daniel has an easily learned refrain.
[Chorus Angelorum, brass, Dominic MacAller conducting]
Available from the composer
SATB, congregation, organ, optional brass quartet [c. 11:30]
The Communion Antiphon for the ordination of priests, this setting is deliberately lengthy, has an approachable refrain, and ends quietly for the period after communion.
[Chorus Angelorum, brass, Dominic MacAller conducting]
Available from the composer
SATB chorus, unaccompanied [c. 2:33]
Using close counterpoint and elegant lines, this is a setting from the Book of Revelation, 21:22-23
I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God almighty and the Lamb. The city had no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gave it light, and its lamp was the Lamb.
MIDI realization
G.I.A. Publications - Catalog # G-3877
SATB/congregation, organ, optional trumpet [c. 3:00]
English setting of the Gloria commissioned by Dr. Phil Steinhaus for the Jubilee celebrations at St. Margaret Mary’s, Lomita, CA
[Excerpt from A Mass of Life, G.I.A. #CD-289.]
Available from the composer
Three-part treble voices [c. 5:15]
Set in three languages, each iteration takes a slightly different style for the message of Psalm 18 (19): “The ordinances of the Lord are right…”
[Chorus Angelorum, Dominic MacAller conducting]
Available from the composer
SATB chorus [c. 3:00]
With a text drawn from Satish Kumar, this anthem was commissioned by the Alexander Post Fund of the First Unitarian Universalist Society of San Francisco, Mark Sumner, Music Director, who premiered the work.
[Chorus Angelorum, Dominic MacAller conducting]
G.I.A. Publications - Catalog # G-3879
(cantor/congregation edition # G-3880)
SATB or cantor/congregation, optional keyboard [c. 3:40]
With words and music by Paul and Carol Gibson, these prayerful invocations center the assembly and call upon the presence of the Holy Spirit. Easy congregational responses alternate with choir, capped by a beautiful choral coda.
[Excerpt from A Mass of Life, G.I.A. #CD-289.]
unison voices, flute, brass quartet, organ [c. 4:00]
Using the beautiful tune BEACH SPRING from the Sacred Harp, this Festive Hymn Setting was commissioned by Frank Brownstead, music director of Our Lady of the Angels Cathedral in Los Angeles.
[Frank Brownstead rehearses singers and instrumentalists at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels, Los Angeles.]
Available from the composer
SATB chorus [c. 5:15]
With words attributed to Pope Gregory I and translated by John Mason Neale (1818–1866), “O Blest Creator of the Light” is presented as a hymn with variations.
[Chorus Angelorum, Dominic MacAller conducting]
Available from the composer
SATB chorus and organ [c. 6:30]
An exuberant Magnificat is paired with an appropriately reflective Nunc Dimittis that have subtle musical connections.
Chorus Angelorum, Dominic MacAller conducting
ECS Publishing – Catalog # 5175
TBB, unaccompanied [c. 8:00]
Composed for and premiered by Paul Salamunovich and the Loyola Marymount Men’s Chorus, this brief 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
[sample excerpted from A Mass of Life, CD-289 from G.I.A.]
G.I.A. Publications - Catalog # G-3535
Cantor/SATB/congregation, organ, optional trumpet, opt. brass [c. 14:30]
This complete Mass, including a setting of Eucharistic Prayer II, synthesizes traditional and contemporary styles. Highly effective brass writing points up its lively rhythmic energy.
“A consistently rewarding, deeply moving work.” ( Jim Svejda, author and classical radio host, The Record Shelf)
“Delicate balance between the festive and the simple. Contrasts are superb.” (Robert Kreutz, composer)
[Excerpt of Gloria from A Mass of Life, G.I.A. #CD-289.]
ECS Publishing – Catalog # 7878
SATB, brass quartet (or organ) OR double choir [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.
“… breathes exciting new life into a classic Tudor anthem. Paul has ingeniously crafted four new vocal (or instrumental) lines to create a gorgeous double-choir setting of the original four-part work. This blending of ancient and new was a big hit … at Walt Disney Concert Hall!”
– Grant Gershon, Artistic Director, Los Angeles Master Chorale
[double choir version performed by the Philovox Ensemble, Robert Schuneman, director]
Available from the composer
Three-part treble voices [c. 4:30]
A flowing Spanish setting from Psalm 90 (91):
The Lord will overshadow you with his pinions, and you will find refuge under his wings. His faithfulness will encompass you with a shield.
Chorus Angelorum, Dominic MacAller conducting
ECS Publishing - Catalog # 5179
SATB, unaccompanied [c. 3:00]
Commissioned by Holy Family Cathedral, Orange, CA, this rich choral enhancement of the Gregorian Pentecost Sequence may be sung in Latin or in a new English version that adheres to the accents of the original. Chosen by Creator magazine as one of the 10 Best Sacred Works of 2001.
“A chant-based but harmonically accessible anthem which would work well in the context of Pentecost’s ‘mystery.’ Well done.” (Creator magazine)
[Excerpt performed by Philovox of Boston (Jennifer Lester, conductor) for ECS.]
MorningStar - Catalog # MSM-50-3018
SATB, optional keyboard [c. 8:30]
The solemn atmosphere evoked by Clark Gibson’s dark, reflective text – inspired by Biblical imagery – is heightened by this haunting choral setting. Suitable for Good Friday and other times in Holy Week.
[Excerpt performed by Chorus Angelorum, Dominic MacAller, conductor.]
