I'm very excited to announce the release of a new CD on the Naxos label, featuring my work "Lauda," recorded by the Illinois State University Wind Symphony! The CD features works by living composers, conducted by Daniel A. Belongia. Listen to and download the recording on iTunes and Naxos. The CD is also available from retailers.
New Video Recordings on YouTube!
Live concert recording of the University of North Texas Wind Symphony performing Magnolia Star:
Live concert recording of the Iowa State University Symphonic Band performing Goodnight, Goodnight:
Live concert recording of the Texas Tech Concert Band performing Adagietto: http://youtu.be/aM6jIk1YohE?t=25m49s
"Chorale Variations" Released on Escape Ten Album "Colours of a Groove"
The percussion duo Escape Ten recently released its debut album "Colours of a Groove" which features a work of mine that they commissioned in 2013 - Chorale Variations. You can listen to the album on CD Baby and iTunes. Enjoy! About Chorale Variations Chorale Variations is comprised of five short movements, all variations on an original chorale theme, which appears in the second movement. It incorporates a range of musical styles: from lighthearted, dance-like passages to lyrical solo lines. It takes advantage of the wide range of sonic possibilities that the marimba presents with music that is warm, rich, and vibrant.
New Wind Band Music for Fall 2014
More new music, just in time for the Fall semester! Here are four new pieces - three works for band and a new song cycle for Soprano and Wind Octet. Take a look at the scores, listen to the recordings, and let me know if any of these will work for your group. I’d love to hear from you!
Best wishes for a wonderful Fall semester!
Adagietto Grade 5 Band
Based on an original choral tune and inspired by Grainger’s Irish Tune from County Derry (one of my favorite pieces), this work is a simple, yet powerful piece with a soaring melody and rich harmonies. See the score here.
Mountainscape Grade 4 Band
This lyrical work opens with a flute solo, and then a flute duet, introducing the theme that is developed throughout the work. The music is inspired by this passage from Isaiah 55:12:
"For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands."
Journeys Grade 5 Band
This work is about life and living, new experiences (musical or otherwise) that make and define us, and those who have influenced us for the better. The journey has only just begun! See the score here
Journeys was commissioned by the Tennessee Music Education Association and Eastman Chemical Company for the 2014 TMEA 11-12 All-State Band. Listen to a recording here.
Alcott Songs Soprano and Chamber Winds Octet (Grade 5)
Now available for pre-order! Witty and whimsical, this song cycle is comprised of six short pieces with text by 19th century American writer Louisa May Alcott. The work features a variety of musical material: from the light, buoyant dance-like opening to the soft lullaby at the close. See the score here
Alcott Songs was commissioned in 2014 by a group of musicians and institutions. See the full list here.
New Choral Music for Fall 2014
It's August, which means it's time to start listening to Christmas music, right? I've been working on a few new choral projects this summer and am excited to share them with you! Here are four new choral works - anthems and hymn arrangements perfect for your Fall, Advent, and Christmas programs! Take a look at the scores, listen to the recordings, and let me know if you are interested in any of these works. I'd love to hear from you!
Best wishes for a wonderful Fall semester!
For All His Blessings SATB Choir with Piano
This lyrical anthem quotes the text and music from the doxology - "Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost" - in a recurring refrain. D.W. Griffin's text is general enough to be used at any point of the year, but it is especially fitting for Thanksgiving! The final stanza illustrates the richness of textual imagery: "O praise the Lord for all He’s done, for all His blessings, one by one, and see His goodness, mountains high, fill all the earth and sea and sky."
Wake, O My Soul SATB Choir Unaccompanied
A carol-like anthem for the Advent and Christmas season - full of joy, awe, and reverence. Perfect for Christmas Eve or a special holiday program! The opening stanza reads, "Wake, O my soul, and hail the morn, for unto us a Savior’s born; see, how the angels wing their way, to usher in the glorious day!"
O Little Town of Bethlehem SATB Choir & Organ with optional String Quartet and Congregational Singing
A simple and serene setting of this well-known carol, with the tune FOREST GREEN. This work was written as a hymn arrangement to be used with congregational singing, but may also be used as a choral anthem. Perfect for a Lessons and Carols service! Use with organ accompaniment or organ and string quartet. An optional Soprano descant is included for the last verse.
"From Our Happy Home" Now Available through Colla Voce!
My men's choir (TTBB unaccompanied) piece "From Our Happy Home" with text by Louisa May Alcott is now published and available through Colla Voce Music here! You can order the octavos directly from Colla Voce, and the piece will soon be available on JW Pepper. If you are looking for a fun Christmas-themed men's choir piece, check it out! You can see the full score on the Colla Voce page here.
A Great Weekend at TMEA
This past weekend I was in Memphis, TN for the 2014 Tennessee All-State conference. I had the pleasure of meeting many wonderful students and teachers from Tennessee, as well as conductors of the all-state ensembles. The 11-12 (junior/senior) all-state band was premiering a new piece of mine titled "Journeys." The band was conducted by renown conductor Dr. John Lynch, who really brought the new piece to life along with a band of really strong young musicians. The students gave a fantastic performance in the Cannon Center on Saturday and it was an honor to be there with them! The day before, Friday, I gave a presentation at the conference titled "Working With Composers: Creative Ideas for Collaboration & Synergy." I had a nice group of participants who were teachers and students in TN, and we had a great time talking about ideas for interacting with composers. Also on Friday, the Ooltewah High School band performed "Goodnight, Goodnight" as part of their concert at TMEA. I had the opportunity to visit with them and tell them the story behind the piece. It was a lot of fun! Thanks to Joel Denton, Director of the Ooltewah band, and Rick Murphy who guest conducted the piece.
Thanks to everyone at TMEA who made my trip possible, and who made the all-state conference a wonderful experience for all! Here are a few pictures from the weekend:
Happy New Year! Upcoming Performances
Happy New Year! 2013 was a great year and 2014 looks like it is going to be excellent as well! I am excited about a bunch of interesting projects that are in the works, as well as upcoming performances which include the following: January 3-24, 2014 Bethel College Concert Choir - European Tour Directed by Dr. William Eash performing Filled With His Voice
January 8-10, 2014 University of Portland Wind Symphony - Puget Sound Tour Directed by Dr. Patrick Murphy performing Goodnight, Goodnight
January 25, 2014 Western Kentucky Honors Band Directed by Dr. Dan Belongia performing This World Alive
February 1, 2014 Houghton College Symphonic Wind Ensemble Directed by Dr. Justin Davis performing Goodnight, Goodnight
February 1, 2014 Virginia Senior High All-District Concert Band Directed by Duane Hill performing Goodnight, Goodnight
February 14, 2014 Houghton College Symphonic Wind Ensemble Directed by Dr. Justin Davis performing Goodnight, Goodnight
February 18, 2014 Bloomington High School Wind Symphony Directed by Max Chernick performing Magnolia Star
February 22, 2014 Bloomington High School Wind Symphony Directed by Max Chernick performing Magnolia Star
February 26, 2014 Eastman Wind Orchestra Directed by Dr. Mark Scatterday performing This World Alive
February 27, 2014 Texas Tech Concert Band Directed by Duane Hill performing Goodnight, Goodnight
February 28, 2014 Eureka High School Wind Ensemble Directed by Todd Stalter performing Goodnight, Goodnight
March 7, 2014 McNeese State University Wind Symphony Conducted by Dr. Daniel Belongia performing This World Alive
March 8, 2014 McNeese State University Honor Band Conducted by Dr. Daniel Belongia performing Goodnight, Goodnight
March 21, 2014 Bethel College Concert Choir - ACDA Southwestern Division Convention Directed by Dr. William Eash performing Filled With His Voice
March 22, 2014 Monroe, NY All-County Honor Band Directed by Dr. Jared Chase performing Magnolia Star
March 27, 2014 Macon County High School Band Directed by Mr. Joey Wilburn performing Goodnight, Goodnight
March 28, 2014 University of British Columbia Concert Winds Directed by Dr. Christopher Unger performing This World Alive
April 12, 2014 Tennessee All-State Band Directed by Dr. John Lynch premiering Journeys
April 24, 2014 UCONN Wind Ensemble Directed by Dr. Jeffrey Renshaw performing This World Alive
May 10, 2014 Seton Hill University Symphonic Winds Directed by Dr. Reed Chamberlin performing This World Alive
May 10, 2014 College of St. Rose Symphony Orchestra Directed by Dr. David Bebe performing The Star Spangled Banner
May 13, 2014 University of Delaware Wind Ensemble Directed by Dr. Chad Nicholson performing Flash Black
Consortium Opportunity! Soprano & Chamber Winds
I am very excited to be organizing a consortium of ensembles to support the composition of a new song cycle scored for soprano and chamber winds octet! You can read all about the project background and details <a title="Alcott Songs – Consortium for Soprano & Chamber Winds" href="http://www.stevedanyew.com/alcott-songs-winds/">here</a>. You can also listen to a couple of the songs (voice & piano versions) below! VI. Lullaby
[audio http://www.stevedanyew.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/song6.mp3]
I. Awake! Awake!
[audio http://www.stevedanyew.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/song1.mp3]
If you are interested in joining the consortium, or if you have a question about the project, please send me a message via the form at the bottom of <a title="Alcott Songs – Consortium for Soprano & Chamber Winds" href="http://www.stevedanyew.com/alcott-songs-winds/">this page</a>.
Upcoming Performances
Thanks to all these ensembles and directors who are including my work on their programs this fall! If I left out a performance, please email me and I will add it to this list! October 7, 2013 Escape Ten Virginia Tech University performing Chorale Variations (world premiere)
October 11, 2013 University of British Columbia Wind Ensemble Directed by Dr. Robert Taylor performing Lauda
October 21, 2013 Eastman Wind Orchestra Directed by Dr. Jared Chase performing Magnolia Star
November 9, 2013 Nazareth College Wind Symphony Directed by Dr. Jared Chase performing This World Alive (co-commissioner world premiere)
November 19, 2013 Troy University Concert Chorale Directed by Dr. Diane Orlofsky performing Filled with His Voice
November 21, 2013 Illinois State University Wind Symphony Directed by Dr. Dan Belongia performing Lauda
November 23, 2013 University of Portland Wind Symphony Directed by Dr. Patrick Murphy performing This World Alive (co-commissioner world premiere)
December 3, 2013 Wesleyan University WesWinds Directed by Sarah Bouchard Stockton performing Goodnight, Goodnight