current projects

As I've always been interested in drama, I'm currently working on another chamber opera. This new piece is exciting for me, but I don't want to give away the plot or story just yet--it is based on a legendary figure and the surrounding intrigue and is set in the Pacific Northwest. Stay tuned!

PERPETUA

Chamber "opera" based on the diary of Saint Perpetua who was martyred in Carthage in 202 or 203 CE. Seattle writer, Thomas Kelly wrote the libretto. PERPETUA is made possible by a Special Projects grant from the King County Arts Commission, Hotel/Motel Tax Fund.

performance

PERPETUA excerpt

8 August, 2006--Jack Straw Productions, Seattle, WA by SoundExperiment Ensemble

cuoRE

Solo piano work written for Cristina Valdes. Based on a small cell of sound (and its resonance) that swirls around a central idea--expanding in range and dynamics.

performance

cuoRE

3 April, 2009--Wayward Music Series, Seattle, WA by Cristina Valdes

Ne

Chamber work written for flute, clarinet, piano, violin and viola. Written for UNLV's NEON festival.

LECTIO DIVINA

The orchestral work, LECTIO DIVINA, based on the "divine words" of Benedictine prayer, is made up of 4 separate pieces that can be performed as a whole, or in any combination. Each piece is made of "connective tissue" that links it to another piece. The four pieces are: lectio (6'), meditatio (11'), oratio (3') and contemplatio (4'). Between oratio and contemplatio a flute cadenza (os jústi, listed below) emerges from the material of oratio and can be extracted from the texture and performed on its own.

performance

oratio

30 October, 2004--Highline Performing Arts Center, Seattle, WA by NWSO

lectio

14 March, 2004--Highline Performing Arts Center, Seattle, WA by NWSO

os jústi

June 2007--solo flute w/ optional strings
Written for Richard Craig, os jústi functions as the cadenza of oratio. It is based on the introit of the mass for an abbott, specifically St. Benedict, the founder of the Order of St. Benedict and creator of the Lectio Divina.

aurolac

September 2006--solo cello
Written for Brad Hawkins, aurolac is scored for solo cello. It is based on the street children who live in the subways and sewers of Bucharest, Romania and literally means glue/paint sniffers. CNN aired an incredible documentary on the plight of these children, who often seek refuge from the problems of homelessness, prostitution, violence and drug addiction by huffing the aurolac.

performance

aurolac

21-February, 2007--Seattle University, Seattle, WA by Brad Hawkins

PARTITA

April 2004--flute, oboe, clarinet, bass clarinet, bassoon, 2 horns, 2 trumpets, 2 trombones, tuba, 5 percussion, revised May 2004--2 flutes, clarinet, bass clarinet, horn, trumpet, trombone, percussion, strings

performance

28 May, 2004--Heritage Band Festival, San Francisco, CA by Pacific Middle School Band

15 May, 2004--Luther Memorial Church, Seattle, WA by Northwest Symphony Orchestra

13 May, 2004--Highline Performing Arts Center, Seattle, WA by Pacific Middle School Band

13 May, 2004--Soundview Music Festival, Seattle, WA by Pacific Middle School Band

CONVOLVE

The three chamber works of CONVOLVE.1, CONVOLVE.2 and CONVOLVE.3 are gleaned from the three instrumental groups that combine to form the orchestra of PERPETUA. Each is a separate piece on its own.

CONVOLVE.1

November 2000--flute, soprano and tenor recorder, bass clarinet, trumpet, trombone, percussion

CONVOLVE.2

December 2000--horn in f, mallet percussion, viola, cello

CONVOLVE.3

July 2000--3 violins, 2 violas, cello, double bass

performance

8 August, 2006--Jack Straw Productions, Seattle, WA by SoundExperiment Ensemble