Chorus

Ecce nunc benedicite
Dominum

Text: Psalm 134 (Latin Vulgate)

2012/7.5’

SATB Choir (divisi), a cappella

Commissioned by the Royal Academy Chamber Choir (2012)

Score

Ecce nunc benedicite Dominum is based on the Latin translation of Psalm 134 from the Old Testament.  It was commissioned by the Royal Academy Chamber Choir, premiered at Nereshiem Abbey, Germany on 2 September 2012, under the baton of Patrick Russill.  When asked to write a piece for this group, the requirement of Latin was somewhat of a challenge.  After researching many texts in this outdated dialect, I finally settled on this Psalm, which offers a universal message of prayer and blessings.  Like earlier chorale pieces that I had written, I tried to exhibit a sense of mystical spirituality combined with a belief of uncertainty, even though the text is pretty straightforward.  In addition, one of our most sacred and ancient languages set to a written faith before the dawn of Christ also reminds us of our past, where its stories and legends from worship have stood the test of time…

Ecce nunc benedicite Dominum, omnes servi Domini: Qui statis in domo Domini, in atriis domus Dei nostri, In noctibus extollite manus vestras in sancta, et benedicite Dominum. Benedicat te Dominus ex Sion, qui fecit cælum, et terram.

Behold, bless the Lord now, all you servants of the Lord, who stand in the house of the Lord, in the courts of the house of our God. In the nights, lift up your hands in sanctity, and bless the Lord. May the Lord, who made heaven and earth, bless you from Zion.

Finalist: The 2023 Call for Compositions Professional Choir Category from the Rocky Mountain Chamber Choir

Finalist: The American Prize in Choral Composition (2014)

“the choir presented with flawless intonation an acoustic pattern with seldom heard transparency, with organlike chords both in very light piano and also in powerful forte, and not least with a very clear articulation. It was remarkable in the long echo of the abbey church” – Swabian Press

Prayer of St. Teresa

Text: St. Teresa of Avila
Translation: Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

2006/5.5’

SATB Choir (divisi),
with solo, a cappella

Written for the San Francisco Conservatory Chorus Bi-Annual
Choral Competition (2006) and
read by the BBC Singers (2011)

Score

Let nothing disturb thee,
Nothing affright thee;
All things are passing;
God never changeth.
Patient endurance attaineth to all things; Who God
possesseth in nothing is wanting; Alone God sufficeth.

Awarded 1st prize from the SF Conservatory 5th Bi-Annual Choral Composition Competition Contest (2006)
Awarded 2nd prize from the New London Singers Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Choral Composition Contest (2012)