SATB Choral Works
I love choirs! And I love creating music for choirs. Most of the works below were written for various choirs I have directed.
A Humble Heart
a humble heart is a gentle, retrospective anthem or sacred concert work for unaccompanied SATB choir. Even though the sopranos carry the melody, all other parts are beautiful and melodic. The music is carried forward with a caressing 3/4 feel, subtle word painting enhances the text, and emotions are deep all the way through to the stirring closing AMEN. A definite new piece to include for any inspirational occasion!
LEVEL - early intermediate
Afterglow of Pain, The
This SATB/piano work features the poetry of Clara Ann Thomas. Clara was a black American 19th century poet and the daughter of slaves in Ohio. She wrote much poetry on the plight of the black people of her time. She self-published her works in 1900 and 1908. Her works, now in the public domain, are available for viewing in various online digital libraries. The text for this piece is taken from Clara's Songs of the Wayside. Tragically, her exact birth and death dates are unknown. This composition is written in a modified strophic-style with the voices interacting in a conversational manner as they relate the parable-like text. The music is sensitive and ever-changing according to the nuances of the text.
LEVEL - early advanced
COMING SOON in 2025
A Voice In the World
Jazzy, contemporary, inspiring, reflective - this piece for SATB/piano ticks all the boxes for a fabulous concert opener or closer. The form is ABCA, and each section has its own unique character and message. But who will hear those with no voice? I will ! We will !! Also available for SSA.
LEVEL - upper intermediate
NEW RELEASE in 2025
Born Free
Theme from the beloved movie of the same name. Arranged for SSATB and piano duet, this is a stirring and dramatic yet easily learned and effective choral work. Its message is timeless and for newer generations who have never heard it, very deserving of their attention. Audiences will love the nostalgia.
LEVEL - upper intermediate
Christmas Is ...
Christmas Is ... takes everything you're hoping for in a new Christmas piece and wraps it up beautifully! Sentimental but not sappy, simple but not simplistic. Two lyrical melodic sections (intro AABAB coda) are shared between the parts supported by a stunning piano accompaniment featuring bell-like echoes and rich harmonies. The message of Christmas Is... is timeless - hope, joy, love, and peace. On a personal note, the images evoked by the text are memories of my own childhood in wintry Canada where Christmas was made magical not by things (because no one had much) but by kind friends, seasonal sights and sounds, and simply being and sharing together.
Also available for SASAA with piano and SATB with orchestra
LEVEL - upper intermediate
Confession & Exaltation
COMING SOON in 2025
Cruel War, The
This is a stunning choral work for SATB choir with piano and piccolo. The tune and text of The Cruel War actually date back to the American Revolutionary War between the British and the Americans (1775 - 1783). The tune and text feature a common story-line of the day, that of “warrior”women who dressed up as men and followed their husbands and loved ones into battle. The piccolo part portrays a character all on its own in this arrangement. It features the tunes “Yankee Doodle Dandy” (a well-known American folk tune) and “the British Grenadiers” (a well-known British folk tune) interwined throughout. Both of these tunes also date back to the Revolutionary War. The piano part is supportive but not intrusive, thinning out when the piccolo's military and contrapuntal melodies accompany the voices. The "conversations" that occur musically between the young girl and the young soldier are intentionally interruptive in nature, as any lover's quarrel is want to be! Of course, at the end, when the depth of love for each other is expressed, the young man finally relents and both join harmoniously together.
LEVEL - upper intermediate/early advanced
Early One Morning
NOT your usual folksong arrangement! This SATB version takes the original, much-loved tune and elevates it into an emotional and dramatic SATB masterpiece. It also utilizes the full, original text, which is rarely heard. Word painting, harmonic dissonances and a suspenseful, newly-composed coda combine to convey the full emotional impact of the piece. This arrangement of Early One Morning is a fabulous addition to the choral repertoire.
LEVEL - upper intermediate/early advanced
NOTE - the mp3 uses woodwind sounds as no choir recording is yet available.
When the Sun Doesn't Shine
COMING SOON in 2025
God of Light
God of Light for SATB a-cappella choir is a challenging and rewarding work. Built in ABBA form, each section contrasts in style, rhythm, key, time signature and mood. The piece delivers an inspiring message of awe, retrospection, humility and joy. Lilting, syncopated rhythms in the A sections create an almost dance-like renaissance feel. The contrasting B sections feature simple rhythms which enhance the text and gentle dissonances to create emotional tension. Appropriate for concert and church choirs; Christmas or concert repertoire.
LEVEL - early advanced
Greatest Gift, The
Easy to learn, fun to sing and catchy to listen to makes The Greatest Gift is a great choice for any church occasion. Based on 1st Corinthians 13, the mood is not your usual soft and lyric style but instead, it is energetic, fun and joyous. Well within the range of all the voices, any level of church choir or group can learn The Greatest Gift quickly and easily. A few syncopated rhythms keep things moving and snappy. The piano accompaniment is easy to play and guitar chords are included. Everyone loves and relates to the well known 1st Corinthians text, making The Greatest Gift instantly relatable to all listeners and performers.
LEVEL - easy
NOTE - the sound file does not contain all the repeats; there are 3 verses and the sound file plays 2 verses plus the opening and ending chorus sections.
Just One Day
COMING SOON in 2025
Light of a Star, The
COMING SOON in 2025
Make Me An Instrument
COMING SOON in 2025
Moody Manitoba Morning
COMING SOON in 2025
Streets of London, The
Streets of London, a timeless 1970's folksong, has lessons for every generation and every age. This arrangement will melt your heart and move your audience with its sensitive and deeply felt harmonies. A small ensemble feature, rhythmic vocal backgrounds and shifting textures within the piece keep the focus strong and interesting. Your semi-professional or advanced high school/college or community choir will love learning and performing this piece.
LEVEL - early advanced
Try To Remember
Description appearing here soon!
Veni Amor Meus
Written in Latin and English, this is a gentle love song for SATB choir. a cappella. Come away with me, my love. Let us seize the day, touch the sky, embrace the earth and be not afraid to die. The voices melt so gently into each other. A contrasting rhythmic section word paints the thought of enjoying nature and seizing the day. This piece was a finalist in the 2023 Tokyo International Composition Competition and received Honourable Mention in the Chronos Vocal Ensemble Composition Competition.
LEVEL - early advanced
What Is Beauty?
Written to honour my father in his 93rd year, this gentle and richly harmonic original SATB choral work with piano reflects how life's changes alter our views of what truly is beauty, and love. Suitable for upper intermediate choirs, including high school, college and university as well as community and professional choirs. Also available with string orchestra accompaniment as premiered by the University of Victoria Choral and String Orchestra.
LEVEL - upper intermediate/early advanced