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Harmonic/Melodic Characteristics GWYNETH WALKER: AN ANNOTATED BIO-BIBLIOGRAPHY OF SELECTED WORKS FOR MIXED CHORUS D.M.A DOCUMENT Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Musical Arts in the Graduate School of The Ohio State University By Richard L. Schnipke, B.M.E., M.M. ***** The Ohio State University 2008 Document Committee: Dr. Hilary Apfelstadt, Advisor Approved by: Dr. Russel Mikkelson ______________________________ Professor Richard Blatti Advisor Music Graduate Program Dr. Timothy Gerber Copyright by Richard L. Schnipke 2008 ABSTRACT Gwyneth Walker (b. 1947) is one of the most prolific American choral composers living and writing today, having composed over 150 works for chorus as well as numerous works for solo voice, orchestra, band, chamber ensembles, and other solo instruments. Walker‟s music is truly reflective of the American spirit and has been compared to that of Aaron Copland. Her works are performed frequently by ensembles across the country and have become staples of contemporary choral repertoire. This document serves as a practical guide for choral directors interested in programming Walker‟s music. It surveys all of Walker‟s works for mixed chorus that are categorized as unaccompanied, with piano, and with organ. These ninety-five pieces represent works that choruses could utilize with readily available forces, as most choruses have regular access to an accompanist. The description of the works is presented in the form of an annotated bibliography and includes information pertaining to vocal ranges, vocal and technical demands, basic musical elements, and difficulty level. The document also includes general and biographical information about Walker, as well as overall musical observations, supplemented by responses gleaned from a conversation between the author and the composer. ii Dedicated to my parents iii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Thank you to Gwyneth Walker for her talent and her time. Her spirited music and person have made this project a labor of love. Thanks also to Dr. Walker‟s support staff, Jonathan Guilford and Carson Cooman. Their friendly and efficient responses throughout this process have been very helpful and informative. I would also like to extend my gratitude to Dr. Walker and her publisher, E. C. Schirmer for permission to reproduce the musical examples included in this document. by E. C. Schirmer Music Company, a division of ECS Publishing, Boston, MA. Reprinted by permission. I am especially grateful to my advisor, Dr. Hilary Apfelstadt for her support and aid through the long period of finishing this project. Thank you to my committee members: Dr. Russel Mikkelson, Prof. Rick Blatti, and Dr. Tim Gerber, each of whom has been very supportive throughout the completion of my coursework as well as in finalizing this document. I also thank my very good friends Cheridy Keller and Mary Ann Poff. Cheridy‟s keyboard skills and musical insights were extremely helpful in the completion of Chapter iv Two and her extra assistance at Olentangy High School during the final weeks of this process was invaluable. Additionally, I would not have been able to complete this project without Mary Ann‟s friendly support, bibliographic knowledge, and editorial assistance. I thank my parents, Richard and Paulette Schnipke, for their encouragement and support during this entire adventure in higher-education. Finally, I thank my partner, Michael Crandall, for his persistence, patience, support and unconditional love during this process. v VITA RICHARD L. SCHNIPKE April 18, 1970 ........................................................................... Born – Bethesda, Maryland 1993.........................................................................................Bachelor of Music Education Bowling Green State University 1993-1995 ..................................................................................... Assistant Choral Director Oak Harbor Junior High and High Schools, Oak Harbor, Ohio 1995-199 9 .................................................................................................... Choral Director Archbold High School, Archbold, Ohio 1999-2001 ............................................................................... Graduate Teaching Assistant School of Music The Ohio State University 2001......................................................................... Master of Music in Choral Conducting The Ohio State University 2001-2002 ............................................................................... Graduate Teaching Assistant College-Conservatory of Music University of Cincinnati 2002-2004 ..................................................................................... Lecturer in Choral Music School of Music The Ohio State University 2004-present .................................. Choral Director and Performing Arts Department Chair Olentangy High School, Lewis Center, Ohio FIELDS OF STUDY Major Field: Music Conducting Music Education vi TABLE OF CONTENTS Page Abstract ............................................................................................................................... ii Dedication .......................................................................................................................... iii Acknowledgements ............................................................................................................ iv Vita ..................................................................................................................................... vi Chapters: 1. Introduction ......................................................................................................................1 Purpose of the Study ................................................................................................3 Need for the Study ...................................................................................................3 Scope of the Study ...................................................................................................5 Procedures ................................................................................................................5 Organization of the Study ........................................................................................7 2. Biography of Gwyneth Walker ........................................................................................9 3. Musical Observations.....................................................................................................15 Harmonic/Melodic Characteristics ........................................................................16 Textural Characteristics .........................................................................................22 Rhythmic Characteristics .......................................................................................30 Structural/Architectural Characteristics .................................................................33 Accompaniment Characteristics ............................................................................35 Expressive Techniques...........................................................................................38 General Observations .............................................................................................41 4. Annotations of Selected Works for Mixed Chorus ........................................................43 Unaccompanied......................................................................................................45 With Piano Accompaniment ..................................................................................68 With Organ Accompaniment ...............................................................................150 vii 5. Summary and Future Directions ..................................................................................179 Summary ..............................................................................................................179 Composer‟s Current and Future Projects .............................................................180 Recommendations for Further Study ...................................................................182 List of Figures ..................................................................................................................183 Endnotes ...........................................................................................................................184 Chapter 1 ..............................................................................................................184 Chapter 2 ..............................................................................................................186 Chapter 3 ..............................................................................................................187 Chapter 4 ..............................................................................................................189 Chapter 5 ..............................................................................................................195 Bibliography ....................................................................................................................196 viii CHAPTER 1 INTRODUCTION Gwyneth Walker (b. 1947) is one of the most prolific American composers of choral music living today. In her early sixties, she has well over one hundred compositions for mixed chorus in her catalogue. These compositions range in duration from one to thirty minutes, vary in difficulty level (based
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