Works (Click on a genre below for a complete summary, availability and listening excerpts)

This page will soon feature short promotional videos of selected works. Check back in the Fall of 2007 to preview works via video at a later date.

 

Opera/Musical

Untitled Musical (2008 in progress). Music and libretto by the composer. Book and lyrics by Amy Willerson. Musical in two acts based on the stories of the Brothers Grimm. Work in progress.

The Breath of Life (2007). Music by Jefferson Todd Frazier, libretto by Michael Remson. Chamber opera in two acts based on an original story. Scored for eight member vocal ensemble, small chamber chorus and chamber orchestra (7 instruments). Commissioned by the Society for the Performing Arts, the McNair Foundation and the Powell Foundation.

Mary Surratt (2007). Music and libretto by the composer. Grand opera in two acts based on the true life story of Mary Surratt, first woman hung by the Federal Government in the United States. Scored for five leads (s/ms/ms/t/bar), supporting roles, chorus and orchestra (standard arrangement).

Sibanda: A Tale from Africa (2003). Music and libretto by the composer. Chamber/childen's opera in one act based on the Zimbabwean folk tale "A Tree to Sing To" translated by Alexander McCall Smith and published by Canongate Books (used by permission). Commissioned by Houston Grand Opera's "Opera New World" program in affiliation with Opera to Go and presented by the ExxonMobil Houston Grand Opera student performance series. Scored for six singers (s/ms/ms/t/bar/b), piano and percussion (performed by either the cast members or on stage percussionist). Libretto and score available for review. Recording and video available February 2003.

The Last Leaf (1997, revised 2003). Music and libretto by the composer. Chamber opera in one act based on the short story by O. Henry (public domain). Premiered in 1997 at the University of Houston. Excerpts performed in 2000 through the New York City Opera Showcasing American Composers series and at the American Festival for the Arts. Scored for four singers (s/ms/t/bar) and chamber orchestra (fl/ob/cl/bsn/hrn/trom/perc1/perc2/harp/vln1/2/vla/vcl/cb). Version for full orchestra also available. Libretto, score and recordings available for review. (LISTEN NOW!)

The Better Man (1992). Music and libretto by the composer. Chamber opera in one act based on the short story by Ray Russell (used by permission). Currently unavailable.

How She Comes and Goes (1989). Music and libretto by the composer. Chamber opera in one act based on the short story by Djuna Barnes (permission pending). Currently unavailable.

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Choral

Mass (2008). SATB. Work in progress.

Celebration! (2004). SATB. Work in progress. Commissioned by the Rhode Island College Choruses. Premiere spring 2004.

Chamber Music (2001). SATB, piano and flute (oboe/clarinet substitution possible). Text excerpted from the poems of James Joyce (public domain). Commissioned by the Rhode Island College Choruses. Score and recording available for review. (LISTEN NOW!)

Women in Praise of the Sacred (2001). SSA. Text taken from various poetry featured in the book Women in Praise of the Sacred (edited by Jane Hirshfeld) and used by permission. Score available for review.

Kyrie (1998). SATB. Text from the latin mass. Score and recording available for review.

Two Psalms (1998). TTBB. Biblical text. Score and recording available for review.

Lullabyes of the Americas (1998). SATB. Arranged from various lullabyes from North and South American cultures. Score and recording available for review.

Psalm 121 (1997). SATB. Biblical text. Commissioned by St. Martin's Lutheran Church. Score available for review.

Fulfill Ye My Joy (1997). SATB. Biblical text (Phillippians 2:2). Commissioned and performed by members of the Houston Choral Society. Score available for review.

Women and Love Through the Ages (1997). SSA. Text from various poetry (permission pending). Commissioned by the University of Houston Women's Chorus. Permissions pending on all texts. Score available for review.

Five Poems of Djuna Barnes (1996). SATB (chamber only). Text from The Book of Repulsive Women by Djuna Barnes. Score and recording available for review.

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Solo Vocal

Songs on Sasso (2006). Soprano solo with piano. Two songs based on the poems of Laurence Sasso.

After Whitman (2002). Baritone solo with string quintet and mallets. Commissioned by the American Festival for the Arts. Text from various poetry by Walt Whitman (public domain). Score and recording available for review. (LISTEN NOW!)

Three Sandburg Settings (2001). Soprano solo with piano. Text from various poetry by Carl Sandburg (public domain). Score and recording available for review. (LISTEN NOW!)

Three Irish Ballads (1996). Mezzo-soprano solo with piano. Arrangements of traditional Irish songs from Moores Irish Melodies. Score and recording available for review.

Since I First Saw Him and The Descent of Winter (1989). Soprano solo with piano. Currently unavailable.

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Orchestra/Ballet

Collapsible Rhythms. Commissioned by the American Festival for the Arts and choreographed by Stanton Welch, Artistic Director of the Houston Ballet. Scored for electric violin and six marimbas (or electronic accompaniment). Premiere July 2005. Score/video available for review.

Suite from "Mary Surratt" (2008). Work in progress. Premiere TBD.

Lovesong (1992). Full orchestra. Score and recording available for review.

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Chamber Music/Piano

Midnight Mass (2007). Violin and viola duo. Comissioned by Eva Cappelletti-Chao and Phillippe Chao. Premiere forthcoming. Score available following premiere.

Three Piano Miniatures (2006). Piano solo. Commissioned by Valerie O'Toole on the occasion of her husband's sixthieth birthday. Premiere Galway Ireland, April 2006. Score available.

Whistle Stop! (2003). Organ. Work in progress. Commissioned by Dr. Crista Miller, Eastman School of Music. Premiere, Fall 2003. Score available from the composer. Recording and score available January 2004.

Five by Five (1998). Wind Quintet. Commissioned by the American Festival for the Arts to celebrate the five year partnership with the Meliora Winds. Score and recording available for review.

Remembrance: Nunu. (1997). Oboe/Vibraphone. Score and recording available for review.

Variations for Flute and Piano (1996). Flute/Piano. Score and recording available for review.

Fanfare and Air (1996). Solo euphonium (or bass trombone/tuba). Score available for the TUBA/Euphonium Press. Recording available from the composer.

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