Today, ECS Publishing Group mourns and honors beloved composer Leo Nestor, who passed away on Sunday. Leo Nestor has been a fixture of E.C. Schirmer’s catalog since 1990. Primarily a composer of choral music, Nestor has published dozens of works through E.C. Schirmer and MorningStar Music Publishers, as well as Oxford University Press, GIA Publications,Continue reading “In Memoriam: Leo Nestor”
Author Archives: morningstarmusic
The Quiet Series | Piano Collections by Thomas Keesecker
In the winter of 2016 and 2017, composer Thomas Keesecker composed a set of piano pieces, which would go on to grow into a hugely popular series. Keesecker saw a need for uncomplicated, introspective, hymn-based pieces that would serve to help us reflect on the themes of the season. With that need in mind, TheContinue reading “The Quiet Series | Piano Collections by Thomas Keesecker”
Juliana Hall Featured on NewMusicBox
We always love a good composer interview, and this one’s extra exciting for us. Thanks to New Music Box for their work getting to know Juliana Hall, and especially for the video they created! Read the full interview here.
In Case You Missed It: New Pieces for School from TCDA
We’re wrapping up our summer conference season, and wanted to share this list of favorite new choral pieces for school from our TCDA reading session. “Vum Vive Vum” is the central movement of Angel of Light, a cantata based on Shaker themes. A dancing and playful rhythmic ride, it is ideal as a light-hearted openingContinue reading “In Case You Missed It: New Pieces for School from TCDA”
“The piece almost wrote itself…” | Matthew Emery’s “Lead Us Home”
Composer Matthew Emery’s piece Lead Us Home, which has only been published for a few months, has already had a significant number of performances and toured Europe and Canada. This is thanks to the National Youth Orchestra of Canada, who, at the end of each of their concerts while on tour, stand and perform theContinue reading ““The piece almost wrote itself…” | Matthew Emery’s “Lead Us Home””
Clare Shore News & Interview
Clare Shore’s Day Tripping for violin, cello and piano will be performed in Carnegie’s Weill Recital Hall on July 20th, 2019 by Trio Casals to celebrate the upcoming PARMA Recordings’ release of Trio Casals’ new CD MOTO QUARTO. Other composers whose works are represented on the CD features works are David Nisbet Stewart, Emma-Ruth Richards,Continue reading “Clare Shore News & Interview”
Sacred Choral Classics
Summer’s here, which means it’s time to start planning music for the next season, especially choral repertoire. Of course, the best first step in planning is to reflect on the most recent past season. What went well? What pieces did the choir enjoy? Were there pieces that the congregation reacted to especially positively? Were thereContinue reading “Sacred Choral Classics”
From Gwyneth Walker: The Morning Train
We invited composer Gwyneth Walker to write a quick post about her new multi-movement release, The Morning Train. Greetings to my Choral Director colleagues. During this time of the year (Spring), most of us are heavily involved with our concerts—at schools, colleges, and community venues. I find myself on the go more than ever. AndContinue reading “From Gwyneth Walker: The Morning Train”
Daron Hagen: Duet with the Past
Composer Daron Hagen’s memoir, Duet with the Past, was released this spring. A rare look at the depth and breadth of an artist’s experience, we had a chance to ask the author a few questions and get an understanding of how the book came to be. In just the first few pages of the book,Continue reading “Daron Hagen: Duet with the Past”
NPM 2019
Getting ready for NPM 2019 We’re looking forward to seeing old friends and meeting new ones at the upcoming National Association of Pastoral Musicians (NPM) conference in Raleigh, NC. From July 15-19, MorningStar & E. C. Schirmer will have a booth at the event, and will partner with NPM to present several sessions. BeforeContinue reading “NPM 2019”
In Tune blog 