An introduction to Paul Westermeyer’s Church Musicians: Reflections on Their Call, Craft, History, and Challenges by Kelly Dobbs-Mickus Have you ever met Paul Westermeyer? As I was reading his book Church Musicians: Reflections on Their Call, Craft, History, and Challenges, I recognized the direct but impactful style of his discourse from the many times IContinue reading ““It is important for us music ministers to remember why we do what we do.””
Category Archives: Composers
Fall & Winter 2017 Performances
November and December are always busy months for concerts! Here’s a run-down of just some of what our composers have been up to. The Boston-based chamber music group Radius Ensemble performed a concert with works by E. C. Schirmer composers Elena Ruehr and Libby Larsen. Both works were programmatic in nature, with Ruehr’s Lucy titledContinue reading “Fall & Winter 2017 Performances”
The Wise Women: Conrad Susa’s Christmas Opera @ Stanford
Stanford University presented two performances of Conrad Susa’s one-act Chamber opera for Christmas, The Wise Women, in December this year. Susa is known for his operas, particularly perennial favorites like Transformations and The Dangerous Liaisons. With this work, he offers a new perspective on the nativity and its mysteries. The audience gets a taste ofContinue reading “The Wise Women: Conrad Susa’s Christmas Opera @ Stanford”
Premieres this Month: Gibson, Hagen, and Walker
Among composers with premiers this month were Daron Hagen, Paul Gibson, and Gwyneth Walker. Paul Gibson’s piece Ring Out, Wild Bells! premiered on December 3 at Walt Disney Hall in Los Angeles, performed by all five choirs of the Los Angeles Children’s Chorus and members of the Los Angeles Philharmonic. The piece will be performedContinue reading “Premieres this Month: Gibson, Hagen, and Walker”
Getting into the Christmas Spirit with The Snow Lay on the Ground
Everyone has their favorite Christmas album. Whether it’s Bing Crosby, Mariah Carey, The Nutcracker Suite, or Messiah, those winter traditions like decorating a tree, sitting by a fire, and baking cookies, just don’t feel the same without the right music in the background. This year we have enjoyed listening to the 2016 Arsis release, TheContinue reading “Getting into the Christmas Spirit with The Snow Lay on the Ground”
Christmas Favorites by Randol Bass – 2017 Performances
Every year, thousands of concert-goers are treated to such works as The Night Before Christmas, A Feast of Carols, Christmas Flourish, Seasonal Sounds, and Gloria, all by renowned pops composer Randol Alan Bass. The highlight of 2017 was, without a doubt, the 4 pieces put on by DCINY (Distinguished Concerts International New York) at CarnegieContinue reading “Christmas Favorites by Randol Bass – 2017 Performances”
Featured Recording: Allen Shawn – Piano Works / Julia Bartha
For this month’s Featured Recording, we turn to composer Allen Shawn. Recorded in Hannover in 2013, Julia Bartha takes us through five of Shawn’s multi-movement works for piano in the Coviello Classics release, titled Allen Shawn: Piano Works–Julia Bartha, Piano. Anthony Tommasini of The New York Times writes: “This recent recording offers an immersion intoContinue reading “Featured Recording: Allen Shawn – Piano Works / Julia Bartha”
John David Earnest: ECS Composer of the Month
“A joyful, demanding, arduous task…” Words from John David Earnest on the work of a composer. Describe life as a composer. I write music because I’m compelled to do so: it’s a joyful, demanding, arduous task, and the spiritual satisfaction is often profound. Describe your compositional style. What most inspires your music? It’s difficult toContinue reading “John David Earnest: ECS Composer of the Month”
Susan LaBarr: Choral Composer of the Month
“Counterpoint is not scary.” Getting to know composer Susan LaBarr and how she works. How did you get involved with music, and when did you begin composing? I have sung in choirs and played the piano since I was little. I’m fortunate that my parents were always very supportive of my music, and there wasContinue reading “Susan LaBarr: Choral Composer of the Month”
Robert Lau: Keyboard Composer of the Month
“Erase the notes you don’t need.” Robert Lau talks to us about life as a composer. How did you get involved with music, and what drew you to composing? I began violin lessons at the age of seven. Interest in other instruments soon followed, so that by my high school years I played violin inContinue reading “Robert Lau: Keyboard Composer of the Month”
In Tune blog 