Composer
This Union you want With the earth and sky, This union we all need with love, A golden wing from God’s heart just Touched the ground, Now Step upon it With your brave sun-vows And help our eyes To Dance! Hafiz, translated by Daniel Ladinsky in The Gift Download the score: This Union
This setting of Robert Herrick’s poem was original composed as the final section of an extended dance collaboration piece titled Folds based on vocal biology. The choir piece served as the foundation for the rest of Folds and I like it so much I decided to split it off into its own work. Upon Julia’s …
Folds was composed as a dance collaboration with Heather Trommer-Beardslee and Ann Dasen to represent aspects of vocal biology. The work’s four section trace the development of breath into utterance, utterance into words, and words into music. The piece was composed to celebrate World Voice Day in 2020 for Joshua May at Columbus State University. …
Two Shorter Songs was originally composed for countertenor Jerry Hui and saxophonist Aaron Durst. Whenever a composer is given the opportunity to write for a countertenor with perfect pitch, we are honor-bound to do so! I am thrilled that Jerry and Aaron were open to me writing for them. Texts by Dora Sigerson Shorter Beware …
This song cycle was composed in 2017 for soprano LaToya Lain and pianist Casey Robards. The text is drawn from the poetry of Elizabeth Browning and was adapted and edited by Aiden Kim Feltkamp. Insufficiency I Inclusions The Lady’s Yes A Musical Instrument A Reed Life and Love Insufficiency II Download the score: A Dream of …
I started composing this song for my friend and colleague Keith Clifton in late 2017. I finally finished the setting in early 2018. The text is taken from a letter written by Alec Guinness while he was on the set of Star Wars. jaybatzner · A Draft of Guinness Download the score: Draft of Guinness
This piece was composed for Tracy Watson and the Crescent Duo (Joanna and Kennen White). Based on the poem “Orbs (Word of the Day)” by Joanna White. Download the score (original flute + bass clarinet version): Word of the Day Download the score (voice + piano version): Word of the Day A recording can be …
I composed these two pieces for LaToya Lain and pianist Casey Robards. These texts about love made such an impact on me that I just had to share them with as many people as possible. Download the score: Sufi Songs
Composed for Katherine Crawford and given its premiere performance at Electronic Music Midwest in 2013. The poetry is by Robert Fanning and is included in the score. Special thanks to the Freesound.org users ethang, laureci, ephemeral-rift, and sandyrb for their sonic contributions and to Laura Patterson whose live performance of my piece All My Dreams are Silent …
In late 2012, I challenged myself to write a new vocal composition each week. I dubbed the project “Lied Time” and while I tried my best, I only managed to complete a handful of compositions. This haiku was just so lovely and perfect, I couldn’t resist doing anything but a simple setting. Download the score: perfect …