Choral Music

LOVE OF LIGHT

SATB divisi, a cappella

A setting of an original text by the composer alluding to the many incarnations of light. Featuring an opening of stretching diphthongs, polyphonic passages, and intriguing pan diatonic moments. Listen to a live performance, as well, here! Ability level: High School through Professional. Published by MusicSpoke.

MANTRA OF THE HUMANE

SATB divisi, a cappella

Written for Donald Nally & The Crossing in 2015, this piece draws its text from two sources: a statement written by Farm Sanctuary founder Gene Baur, and two Sanskrit phrases - inviting compassion. Ability level: High School through Professional. Published by Boosey & Hawkes.

O SALUTARIS HOSTIA

SATB divisi, a cappella

Setting of the Latin text. Sweeping lyric and inviting melodic lines accompanying harmonic intrigue for all voice parts. Ability level: High School through Professional. Published by Hal Leonard.

ANI MA'AMIN

SATB divisi, a cappella, & Two Soloists (SM)

This is a romantic and primarily homophonic setting of the traditional Hebrew melody. Originally commissioned by Jeffrey Brillhart and Singing City, premiered at Buchenwald Concentration Camp in Weimar, Germany. Ability level: High School through Professional. Published by Hal Leonard.

AVE MARIA

SATB divisi, a cappella

Setting of the traditional Latin text that includes tightly-woven tonal passages and large, expansive dramatic moments. Both meditative and expressive. Recently performed under Henry Leck at Carnegie Hall. Ability level: High School through Professional. Published by Hal Leonard.

BENEATH THE DARK BLUE WAVES

SATB, a cappella

A combination of texts, weaving Nathaniel Hawthorne's "The Ocean" and an original text by the composer, this piece is a comment on the rising ocean levels. An intriguing tapestry of vowel sounds in exposition, introducing a wholly unique work. Ability level: High School through Professional.

BENEDICTION

SATB, a cappella

Setting of a secular Irish Blessing, with text adjusted by the composer. Approachable, calm, and sincere message of peace and love with the hope of reunion, this work features simple yet intriguing harmonic language. Ability level: High School through Professional. Published by Hal Leonard.

BROTHERS' HYMN

SATB, a cappella - w/ Tin Whistle (or other melody instrument)

A setting of an original text by the composer, this work is an Irish melody and message of hope among all people. A simple, memorable melody supported by tightly woven harmonies and an ethereal tin whistle passage. Ability level: High School through Professional. Published by MusicSpoke.

c l a p / b a n g

SATB & Piano

An entirely original work of clapping and singing and more. Three micro-movements introduce both energized polyphonic clapping, as well as meditative static vocalization. A fun, very different work. Premiered at Lincoln Center. Ability level: Middle School through Professional. Published by MusicSpoke.

DREAMS & DREAMS

SATB, Piano, & Violin (or other melody instrument)

Commissioned by Graham Bier and the Reading Choral Society during the pandemic, this work was written to be performed virtually and was premiered as such. John's familiar harmonic language is expressed, along with a beautiful violin part. Ability level: High School through Professional.

EXSULTATE DEO I

SATB divisi, a cappella

A unique approach to the traditional Latin text, featuring a more introspective and meditative vision. Primarily homophonic and of harmonic and textural interest. Ability level: High School through Professional.

HOW CAN I KEEP FROM SINGING

SATB, a cappella

Commissioned by Philadelphia's Lyric Fest, this is a setting of the traditional melody with intriguing voice leading and two modulations. Simple and approachable for choir and modern "a cappella" show choirs. Ability level: High School through Professional. Published by MusicSpoke.

I DREAMED I SAW THE SKY

SATB & Piano

A setting of an original text by the composer, creating a dream-like reality where the sea and sky have reversed positions. Angular, singable melodies and thick, expansive harmonic chorales. Premiered at Carnegie Hall. Romantic! Ability level: High School through Professional. Published by MusicSpoke.

I WONDER... SLEEP

SATB, a cappella

A setting of a text by Charles Anthony Silvestri, this piece is a part of a large multi-movement project titled "I Wonder...". This is an engaging, humorous, ephemeral piece that can introduce young singers to some extended choral techniques. High School through Professional. Published by MusicSpoke.

LIBERA ME

SATB & Piano

A setting of the Latin text, and a stand-alone movement from the larger work THE THREE DOORS - A REQUIEM. This highly-energetic work features a perpetual sixteenth note piano texture and sweeping, dramatic choral lines. Ability level: High School through Professional. Published by MusicSpoke.

LOVE IS RECKLESS

SATB divisi, a cappella

A setting of the poem by Jalal ad-Din Muhammad Rumi (RUMI) and translated by Coleman Barks (used with permission). This piece begins with a strong aleatoric passage opening into a brilliant, bright forte explosion of the word 'love'. Ability level: High School through Professional.

LOVE OF FIRE

SATB, a cappella

A setting of a poem by living American poet Sarah Hudlow, this work demonstrated a number of opposites in the text and the music. Unique features for both the S/A and T/B sections, this piece is approachable and intriguing. Ability level: High School through Professional. Published by Boosey & Hawkes.

NON CAPISCO NIENTE

SATB, a cappella

Setting of a tweet in Italian by well-known choral poet Charles Anthony Silvestri, this brief and exciting work creates three micro-movements prompting some essential reflections on living. A perfect encore! Ability level: High School through Professional. Published by Hal Leonard.

OF MEN AND OF ANGELS

SATB divisi, a cappella

A unique setting of the familiar Corinthians, featuring "Love is patient, love is kind (etc)." A variety of textures and challenging moments are featured, including an aleatoric passage, always resolving to a kind and lyric melody. Ability level: Collegiate through Professional. Published by MusicSpoke.

ON MARRIAGE

SATB divisi, a cappella

A setting of the poem by Jalal ad-Din Muhammad Rumi (RUMI) and translated by Coleman Barks (used with permission). This work features the beautiful message of a symbolic yet independent union of souls. Intriguing chorales and melodic moments. Ability level: High School through Professional.

ONE SONG

TTBB & Piano

A setting of the poem by Rumi and translated by Coleman Barks (used with permission). Commissioned and premiered by Matthew Oltman and the Empire City Men's Chorus this piece is a message of inclusion, a gorgeous piano part, building to an exciting ending! Ability level: High School through Professional.

PHILADELPHIA FANFARE

SATB & Four-Hands Piano

A setting of the poem "Philadelphia" by Rudyard Kipling. Commissioned and premiered by Jeffrey Brillhart and Singing City. This piece includes an energized four-hand accompaniment, unique up-beat melodic passages, and a reflective chorale. High School through Professional. Published by MusicSpoke.

PIE JESU

SATB & Piano

Weaving both the "Pie Jesu" and "Agnus Dei" Latin texts, this is a romantic and very approachable setting. Published score is in G Major (video shows A. Major). This is one of John's most performed and most popular works. Ability level: High School through Professional.Published by Hal Leonard.

PROMETHEUS

SATB & Piano

As vicious as the punishment suffered by Prometheus himself, this piece is a tour de force of intensity for any choir or chamber group. Featuring a truncated version of Lord Byron's poem, a piano part both stabbing and lyric, and a titanic, abrupt ending. Ability level: High School through Professional.

THE SNOW-STORM

SATB & Piano

Commissioned for a PMEA Choral Festival, this is a setting of the Ralph Waldo Emerson poem. A dramatic and exciting piano part accompanies rich and powerful choral textures that reflect both the delicacy and power of snow. level: High School through Professional. Published by MusicSpoke.

WADE IN THE WATER

SATB, a cappella

A setting of the traditional melody. A spirited and upbeat setting with a powerful climax. An ideal soloist feature with excitingly rhythmic choral parts. Commissioned and premiered by Jeffrey Brillhart and Singing City. Ability level: High School through Professional. Published by Hal Leonard.

WHERE CAN WE GO FROM HERE

SATB, a cappella

A setting of an original text by the composer, exploring the immediate feeling of loss and confusion following the trauma of a natural or man-made disaster. An early and delicate work by the composer. Ability level: High School through Professional.

WHITMAN'S WONT

SATB & Four-Hands Piano

Commissioned by Lawrence Doebler for a PMEA Choral Festival, this is a setting of Walt Whitman's preface to Leaves of Grass. This piece features a brilliant and evolving piano part for four hands, and choral passages of monumental power and authentic delicacy. Ability level: High School through Professional.

MULTI-MOVEMENT CHORAL WORKS

DON'T LOOK AWAY (oratorio)

SATB, Choral Sextet, Orchestra, & Four Soloists (SMTB) - Text by living poet MEAGHAN BOEING

Don’t Look Away (Requiem for a World that Never Was) is an artistic attempt to wrestle with systemic racism, seen through the lens of the Black Lives Matter protest movement and the backlash to it. This is an exciting and socially important new choral work. Ability level: High School through Professional.

HOWL (attacca movements)

SATB divisi, Piano, & Two Percussionists

This is a setting of the poem by Allen Ginsberg (used with permission). This is a live, staged performance by the Texas State University Singers. PLEASE BE AWARE: this is a setting of the original poem, including all of the original language - appropriate audiences recommended. Ability level: Collegiate through Professional.

LIFE, DEATH, & CATS (choral cycle)

SATB, Piano, & Soloist

Setting of a collection of texts by living American poet Emily Fulmer, a native of St. Louis who is a woman living with Down Syndrome. This cycle was commissioned and premiered by Thomas Lloyd and the Bucks County Choral Society. Ability level: High School through Professional.

he/she/me/we (choral cycle)

SATB, Viola, & Drum

This is a unique project that began with discussions among high school students about pronouns, gender identity, and self-awareness. Featuring eclectic use of collaborative instruments and culminating in an affirming "WE" movement. Ability level: High School through Professional. Published by MusicSpoke.

THE FOUR AGREEMENTS (choral cycle)

SATB divisi, a cappella (with bells/glockenspiel)

This is a cycle featuring the four primary tenets of Don Miguel Ruiz's ubiquitous practical guide to personal freedom of the same title. This is a vulnerable setting for quartet or choir, empowering the message. Premiered in live collaboration Don Miguel Ruiz Jr. Ability level: High School through Professional.

THE THREE DOORS - A REQUIEM

SATB, Piano, String Ensemble, Percussion, & Four Soloists (SMTB)

This is John's first requiem setting of the traditional Latin texts, exploring the process of transmigration. Featuring both exhilarating up-beat passages, luxurious expansive chorales, and opening with a unique percussive landscape. Ability level: High School through Professional.

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