2021 American Choral Directors Association Conference WMG Featured Composers

Thea Musgrave Composing myself video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=74NaRw_kT2M

Rich and powerful musical language and a strong sense of drama have made Scottish-American composer Thea Musgrave one of the most respected and exciting contemporary composers in the Western world. Her works are performed in major concert halls, festivals, and radio stations on both sides of the Atlantic. Known for the clarity of her invention, the skill of her orchestrations, and the power of her musical communication, Musgrave has consistently explored new means of projecting essentially dramatic situations in her music, frequently altering and extending the conventional boundaries of instrumental performance by physicalizing their musical and dramatic impact. Musgrave has been the recipient of many notable awards including two Guggenheim Fellowships, the Ivors Classical Music Award 2018, and The Queen's Medal for Music. She was awarded a CBE on the Queen's New Year's Honour List in 2002.

By the River Code: No sales code but will be available on sale in time for ACDA. CD - Thea Musgrave - By the River National Youth Choir of Great Britain; Ben Parry, conductor NYCGB (Digital only) (Released 16 July 2020) Audio: https://open.spotify.com/track/0vRLxQg2jcvDShQI9p1ck6 Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Ca3gVXDTVA

On the Underground Set No. 2 (The Strange & the Exotic) Code: NOV160279 CD - Thea Musgrave - Cantos Sagrados National Youth Choir of Scotland; Christopher Bell, conductor Signum SIGCD604 (Released 08 May 2020) Movt I: https://open.spotify.com/track/6Ro720yl8pIeQj9lnGZljY Movt II: https://open.spotify.com/track/4nInuUmfcRJPINNCxd8SKS Movt III: https://open.spotify.com/track/5maKeJisy0T7GpfP686dPm Movt IV: https://open.spotify.com/track/5PmnCKex6Ycn5Z4EoGNCon

Rorate Coeli Code: NOV072331 Musicroom description: Rorate Coeli for unaccompanied chorus, was written in 1973 in response to a commission from the National Federation of Music Societies in Great Britain. It was first performed by the Thomas Tallis choir in Greenwich. It is a setting of two interleaved poems of the famous Scottish poet William Dunbar (written circa 1500). One poem is the Nativity poem of the title, the other is the poem about the Resurrection: 'Done is a battle on the dragon black'. The work is framed by the rich chords of the opening line where full chorus is echoed by soloists. This setting of both poems simultaneously, reminiscent of medieval polytextural techniques, shows the future victory of the Resurrection along with present joy of the Nativity. The chords of the opening return at the end combined with an exultant Gloria. Audio: https://open.spotify.com/track/0UY1pizN67PKnYeBdli3G3 Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OHVVx3CL5dM

Missa Brevis Code: NOV296901 Musicroom description: Thea Musgrave's Missa Brevis was given its first performance by Wells Cathedral Choir, on the Feast of John the Baptist, Sunday 24th June, 2018, by Wells Cathedral Choir, Jeremy Cole (organ), and Matthew Owens (conductor), in the presence of the composer. The work was commissioned by Cathedral Commissions of Wells Cathedral. I. Kyrie Audio: https://open.spotify.com/track/3b4BDFojCEKr4lWyZFEEho Video: https://youtu.be/-I6JRBuyL10 II. Gloria Audio: https://open.spotify.com/track/49lgVvq18341yVeGCFZwgy Video: https://youtu.be/fzlMMdA4zAQ III. Sanctus Audio: https://open.spotify.com/track/2QelE7Hj8VvIoIRBooOGjJ Video: https://youtu.be/vNWNbpdY_Oo IV. Benedictus Audio: https://open.spotify.com/track/50k00LVZ5oyRuzdxJMbsgq Video: https://youtu.be/97u38Y2kL7k V. Agnus Dei Audio: https://open.spotify.com/track/1BZezTolJupRbWLzshmhLP Video: https://youtu.be/wwH2A6w3y_4

The Voices of Our Ancestors Code: Vocal Score NOV165231 / Score & parts NOV165242 Musicroom description: The text for The Voices Of Our Ancestors is drawn from 12 poems that are united in their attempt to answer the question of human existence. Inspired by these poems, Musgrave composed this work, which was first performed on 9th July at St Bride's church, Fleet Street, as part of the City of London Festival. Nos. 1-2 Audio: https://open.spotify.com/track/5NcWc9EpgOdtUHQ3PFayTq Video: https://youtu.be/WLZKxxInNbY Nos. 3-5 Audio: https://open.spotify.com/track/2ShnO8ue8EX32HBttC8Jtv Video: https://youtu.be/HIEn3mJuMOU Nos. 6-9 Audio: https://open.spotify.com/track/30ycZEr5SFAcY4NBl9S8uV Video: https://youtu.be/xhsHBDqLwbI Nos. 10-12 Audio: https://open.spotify.com/track/47SVRDwnTq5qPtqLIbPiud Video: https://youtu.be/REOrmPBjMCg

CD - Thea Musgrave - The Voices of Our Ancestors New York Virtuoso Singers; American Brass Quintet; Harold Rosembaum, conductor Lyrita SRCD 387 (Released 01 August 2020) Album:https://open.spotify.com/album/77smCb1fivqWeCCIOTCPE0?si=6WroeXM7SlOnVInT4PzONQ Includes Rorate Coeli, Missa Brevis, The Voices of Our Ancestors

Tarik O'Regan Tarik O'Regan, "one of the leading British composers of his generation" (Gramophone) who is writing "music of startling beauty" (The Observer). Born in 1978, Tarik O’Regan has worked with a wide variety of ensembles and organizations; these include the Dutch National Ballet, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Australian Chamber Orchestra, BBC National Orchestra of Wales, Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir, Sydney Dance Company, BBC Proms at the Royal Albert Hall, and the Royal Opera House in London. His output, recognized with two GRAMMY® nominations and two British Composer Awards, has been recorded on over 40 albums and is published exclusively by Novello. O’Regan also holds the positions of Visiting Artist at Stanford University and Artistic Partner with Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra & Chorale.

All Things Common Code: NOV296967 Audio: https://open.spotify.com/track/5VgsytfdHlNyNGsc7uiEYP Video: https://youtu.be/PRRcE7HZIaQ

Blessed are they Code: Full Score NOV294030 / Vocal Score NOV294030-01 / Set of Parts NOV294030-02 Musicroom description: Commissioned in honour of Raymond and Elizabeth Chenault for their 38 years of service as Organists and Choirmasters of All Saints' Episcopal Church in Atlanta, where it was first performed on All Saints’ Sunday, November 3, 2013. Audio: https://open.spotify.com/track/2UuVu5O9dLmpzC2otH7Zxu

Magnificat & Nunc Dimittis Code: NOV200310 / Solo Part (Cello) NOV200310-01 / Solo Part (Saxophone) NOV200310-02 Musicroom description: An unusual setting of the Magnificat And Nunc Dimittis by Tarik O'Regan, written for a double chorus with Cello or Soprano Saxophone. The works were commissioned separately by Timothy Brown for the Choir of Clare College, Cambridge. The Magnificat was premièred at the 2000 Spitalfields Winter Festival, while the Nunc Dimittis was composed for a BBC broadcast in 2001. The full work is a large-scale setting, designed to stand as a concert work in it's own right, and feature an adaptation of the Renaissance technique of alternating between chant and polyphony. Separate parts for Cello and Soprano Saxophone are available Audio: https://open.spotify.com/track/2XVSreVTqBIrk6mUdQdilb

Turn Code: NOV165792 Musicroom description: Turn is a work by Tarik O'Regan for Unaccompanied SATB Divisi Choir. Commissioned by Conspirare, with the first performance given on 11th May 2016 at St Mary's Catholic Church, Fredericksburg, Texas, USA. A setting of a poem by Albert Verwey, a full performance lasts around five minutes. Audio: https://open.spotify.com/track/7AlcjtmK09shXEb2AMj44t

Facing West Code: Score HL00329805 / Solo Part (Cello) NOV297466 Musicroom description: Now available for SATB! Building on the heritage of the great arrangements of Hairston and Hogan, Tarik O'Regan creates his own unique approach in this setting for treble voices. Through layering of motivic material, and percussive effects in the lyrics, elements of jazz, blues and gospel music combine to great success in portraying Elijah's dramatic ascension into heaven. Audio: https://open.spotify.com/track/6lIfcvsUmbzA977LaQZaLS

The Ecstasies Above Code: Full Score NOV200497 / Set of Parts NOV200497-01 / Vocal Score NOV200508 Audio: https://open.spotify.com/track/2RKc7Fib8uxFehQ3fp3pr9

I Listen To The Stillness Of You Code: NOV166661 Musicroom: Tarik O'Regan's I Listen To The Stillness Of You is taken from his larger work 'Mass Observation'. Mass Observation was commissioned for the University of Michigan Chamber Choir, Jerry Blackstone, conductor, thanks to support from the William K. and Delores S. Brehm Choral Commissioning Fund, and the Barbara Abramoff Levy Fund. Audio: https://open.spotify.com/track/7HOJk5k4vXJihOz1h0Frni

CD - Tarik O'Regan - All Things Common Pacific Chorale; Salastina; Robert Istad, conductor Yarlung Records YAR02592 (Released 01 June 2020) Includes All Things Common, Blessed are they, Magnificat & Nunc Dimittis, Turn, Facing West, The Ecstasies Above, I Listen To The Stillness Of You.

A Letter of Rights Code: Full Score NOV165297 / Vocal Score NOV165308 / Parts on rental Musicroom description: With words by Alice Goodman, the Cantata explores the clauses of the Magna Carta which deal with legal process, and the palindromic structure weaves its way through a story which begins with the parchment itself. A full performance of this work lasts around 35 minutes. CD - Tarik O'Regan – Letters Chamber Choir Ireland; Irish Chamber Orchestra; Paul Hillier, conductor Naxos 8574287 (Released 13 November 2020) Audio: https://open.spotify.com/track/680LA9zcwdiz1lTJdWs5mm Video: https://youtu.be/a2dlCpJ5isY

Mass Observation Code: Full score NOV167068 / SATB and Percussion NOV166408 Musicroom description: Mass Observation is a meditation on the histories of our varied ambivalent relationships with surveillance in its myriad guises. The use of technologies that sate our desires to be watched and heard (safety, tracking, empowerment, and pride) has, in some sense, always been able to be weighed against our anxieties around invasions of privacy (physical and psychological harm, hacking, subjugation, and embarrassment). The work takes its title from the British social research organisation, Mass-Observation, which aimed to record everyday life in the United Kingdom. Founded in 1937, Mass-Observation controversially paid investigators to anonymously record people's conversation and behaviour at work, on the street and at various public occasions including public meetings, sporting, and religious events. Scored for chorus and percussion sextet, Mass Observation ebbs and flows between various polarities (human voices and percussion instruments, pitched and unpitched sounds, clear and opaque tonalities) over the course of its thirteen movements. There is a ritualistic nature to the overall pacing of the work, reminiscent of a liturgical mass setting. The two groups of musicians are rarely aligned: for much of the piece they watch and listen to one another in silence. Duration approximately 40 Minutes. Audio: https://open.spotify.com/track/4hFqtaxM6eDJvTUk4TQIGB Video: https://youtu.be/FJzxv0UMjOo

Alleluia, laus et gloria (SATB) Code: NOV296637 Audio: https://open.spotify.com/track/7Ac96zbVn7ZPSViqLQuLd4 Video: https://youtu.be/DMkm28Lcp1U

CD - Tarik O'Regan - Mass Observation University of Michigan Chamber Choir and Percussion Ensemble; Jerry Blackstone, conductor University of Michigan (Digital only) (Released 15 March 2019) Album: https://open.spotify.com/album/2E2M4EdklAszvmAc2n2Vd1?si=lXpIOxTHT5WQUCydLm7eRg / Video: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_nMIL0TqGFdnubcdgQa85CZWzhEWrmXeHA Album Includes: Mass Observation, Alleluia, laus et gloria, Turn, I Listen To The Stillness Of You

Judith Weir Judith Weir (b 1954 to Scottish parents in Cambridge, England) studied composition with John Tavener, Robin Holloway and Gunther Schuller. On leaving Cambridge University in 1976 she taught in England and Scotland, and in the mid-1990s became Associate Composer with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, and Artistic Director of Spitalfields Festival. She was a Visiting Professor at Princeton (2001) Harvard (2004) and Cardiff (2006-13) and in 2014 was appointed Master of the Queen’s Music. In 2015 she became Associate Composer to the BBC Singers. She is the composer of several operas (written for Kent Opera, Scottish Opera, ENO and Bregenz) which have been widely performed. She has written orchestral music for the BBC Symphony, Boston Symphony and Minnesota Orchestras. Much of her music has been recorded, and is available on the NMC, Delphian and Signum labels. She blogs about her cultural experiences at www.judithweir.com

My Guardian Angel Code: CH74393 Musicroom description: My Guardian Angel is a carol, which celebrates the increased incidence of public appearances by angels at Christmas time. It is a setting of short text by William Blake. The music of the carol is based around a short 'alleluia' which may be performed by the audience, whilst the choir weaves some 4-part counterpart around it. Alternatively, the piece may be performed, in 6 parts, by choir alone. Audio: https://open.spotify.com/track/0EZSjhOejbVV6HFqdUybYJ Video: https://youtu.be/QoOFWP_Gu9Q CD - Alpha & O: Music for Advent & Christmas (Judith Weir) Choirs of St Catharine's College, Cambridge; Edward Wickham, conductor Resonus Classics RES10268 (Released 25 September 2020)

The Big Picture Code Full Score CH88092 / Vocal Score CH88092-01 / Set of Parts (Clarinet/Percussion) CH88092-02 / Voices/Extra Percussion Parts CH88092-03 Musicroom description: The Big Picture was written to celebrate the completion of a major redevelopment and refurbishment to Aberdeen Art Gallery. Wishing to examine a subject important, in different ways, to both the visual arts and music, the composer decided to write about colour. No.1, Green https://open.spotify.com/track/1DSCdR2AJq2TJNazhA7iyF No.2, Blue https://open.spotify.com/track/24vGeSPNptJBJGG326WH1E No.3, Gold https://open.spotify.com/track/2S9VrBSQoJfWeO4t8RmjSL No.4, Red, White https://open.spotify.com/track/5yFhqbRODgF8LbuNBbDO8M No. 5, Colour https://open.spotify.com/track/1U28wyceZXjhmVAcXvtUcM CD - Judith Weir - The Big Picture Bristol Choral Society; Bristol Youth Choir; Music Makers of London; Hannah Lawrence, clarinet; Oliver Butterworth, Oliver Pooley, percussion; Ian Tindale, Annabel Thwaite, piano; Hilary Campbell, conductor Delphian DCD34242 (Released 25 September 2020)

Ave Regina Caelorum Code: CH82346 Audio: https://open.spotify.com/track/2WW9sj5zFdELUnalFnSaDA Video: https://youtu.be/a3sXugXZ0io CD - The Waiting Sky: Music for Advent and Christmas (Judith Weir) Sansara; Tom Herring, conductor Resonus Classics RES10250 (27 September 2019)

Volker Bertelmann The experimental pianist and composer Volker Bertelmann, alias Hauschka, calls himself a "sound searcher". He puts table-tennis balls in his piano's sound box, between the strings he clamps rubber erasers, drawing pins and much more. The sounds Bertelmann coaxes out of his prepared piano in this way remind one of an exotic drum or an electronic effects device. But in his newest works, the grandmaster of the pianistic mood landscape is now opening up some quite different worlds of sound; Bertelmann has discovered the big symphony orchestra. In the 2014/15 season, he is composer in residence with the MDR Symphony Orchestra in Leipzig. The orchestra and its leader, Kristjan Järvi, commissioned Bertelmann to arrange a number of his pieces for symphony orchestra. In addition, he created with "Cascades" a large, three-part composition for orchestra and choir. With these orchestral pieces Bertelmann has given his music a new dimension: the monumental. The big symphonic sound is the sound searcher's newest find. Every faithful Hauschka fan will nonetheless always recognise the essential features of his music, because even when writing for an orchestra, the four cornerstones of Bertelmann's musical world are the same: "beauty, ephemerality, melancholy and absurdity".

Fifteen Million Acres Code: Vocal Score BOE100854 / Set of Parts BOE100854-01 Audio: https://open.spotify.com/track/0zonEU4irWSpnQllMz2IBE?si=MJ8sG2emTgqJTPrI6RhlZg Video: https://youtu.be/SQ7G07GWsdc

Paul Mealor Paul Mealor’s music has rapidly entered the repertoire of choirs and singers around the world; his music has been described as having, ‘serene beauty, fastidious craftsmanship and architectural assuredness… Music of deep spiritual searching that always asks questions, offers answers and fills the listener with hope…’. Mealor was catapulted to international attention when 2.5 billion people heard his motet, Ubi caritas, performed at the Royal Wedding Ceremony of His Royal Highness Prince William and Catherine Middleton at Westminster Abbey, 29th April 2011. Mealor studied composition privately from an early age with John Pickard, at the University of York with Nicola LeFanu (1994-2002) and in Copenhagen with Hans Abrahamsen (1998-99). Since 2003 he has taught at the University of Aberdeen, where he is currently Professor in Composition, and has held visiting professorships in composition at institutions in Scandinavia and the United States.

Amen (2019) SATB Code: NOV297472 First performed by Caritas, conducted by the composer, at Crathie Kirk, Balmoral, in the presence of HM Queen Elizabeth II and members of The Royal Family on 8 September 2019. Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hlz4waJwQ7o

I carry your heart with me (2019) SATB Code: NOV297481 A setting of E.E. Cummings for unaccompanied mixed voices, first performed by the PopUp Choir, conducted by the composer at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, St Paul, Minnesota, on 12 October 2019. Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gwkwfjHCrSY

Silent Night (2018) SATB Code: NOV296846 An unaccompanied setting of this classic text Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0wwMTeviS9g

Latest album Blessing https://open.spotify.com/album/4SNHGd4SDmGoMAAgOIv5Di?si=2wrqdKOIQzmqATui6No 8qg

Cheryl Frances-Hoad Frances-Hoad drenched each phrase in dramatic expression of the most ravishing intensity. (Matthew Wright, The Arts Desk). Admired for her originality, fluency and professionalism, Cheryl Frances-Hoad has been composing to commission since she was fifteen. Classical tradition (she trained as a cellist and pianist at the Menuhin School before going on to Cambridge and King's College, London) along with diverse contemporary inspirations including literature, painting and dance, have contributed to a creative presence provocatively her own. Intricate in argument, sometimes impassioned, sometimes mercurial, always compelling in its authority (Robin Holloway, The Spectator), her output - widely premiered, broadcast and commercially recorded, reaching audiences from the Proms to outreach workshops - addresses all genres from opera, ballet and concerto to song, chamber and solo music.

Bogoróditse dévo, ráduysia (2019) SATB Code: CH88049 A setting for unaccompanied mixed voices of the Dismissal Troparion at Vespers. The work was written for Sonoro as part of the Sonoro Choral Inspirations project. Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_EHOtC55hNw

Choral album: https://open.spotify.com/album/2tVeyroYSVOafPEUEn3TnA?si=iDphyxnuSqCoWxjPYb4UIw

Richard Allain Video on writing for choirs https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s_PDlYiQC3o

Richard Allain's works encompass a wide range of styles, including music theatre, instrumental pieces, sacred choral music, song-writing and works for children. Such is his versatility, he has been commissioned to write music for broadcast on BBC Radio 2, 3 and 4. Choral music is at the heart of his output. His work has been performed by many of the country’s leading choirs and musicians (including the BBC Singers, The Choir of St Paul's Cathedral, Collegium Regale, Commotio, ORA and The Bach Choir). Allain was, for many years, Composer in Association for the National Youth Choirs of Great Britain with whom he made several recordings including the acclaimed CD When I’m Gone (Delphian). His music is regularly performed and broadcast within the UK and in countries throughout the world. Allain’s highly evocative setting of Salve Regina was written in 1992, and was later performed at the BBC Proms. The large-scale choral work I sleep but my heart is awake was written for the saxophonist John Harle, and soprano Sally Matthews. Vespers is a multi-movement work for soloists, chorus and orchestra which draws on texts inspired by the sea. Videte miraculum was commissioned by ORA as a reflection on Tallis's original. Allain's highly imaginative response features on the CD Many are the wonders (Harmonia Mundi). Liturgical music also features in Allain's output, with sets of canticles written for both Wells and Norwich cathedrals. Originally written for a friend’s wedding, Cana's Guest was later selected to form part of the Choirbook for the Queen, a collection of contemporary choral music published to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II. It has since become a liturgical staple in many UK choral foundations. Allain has written Christmas carols throughout his career, from the miniature Balulalow, written when he was still at school, to Welcome, all wonders, which was commissioned by Collegium Regale and broadcast live on Christmas Eve from King’s College Chapel. His haunting setting of In the bleak midwinter has been recorded by several choirs. Similarly, Coventry Carol has firmly established itself as part of the Christmas choral repertoire with choirs both at home and abroad. More recently, Allain has written two Epiphany carols The Beloved and The Magi's Gifts for Merton College, Oxford, with both setting texts by his brother Thomas. Deeply committed to music education, together with Thomas, Allain has written several cantatas for young voices. One such light-hearted collaboration, Jake and the Right Genie, was commissioned by the Surrey Millennium Youth Festival. It has since been performed by over 10,000 school children and, on one occasion, an entire Yorkshire village! With its gentle homage to the great David Bowie, Manger Tom retells the Christmas story from the point of view of the stable boy at Bethlehem. Other collaborations include a symphonic rock theatre piece based on Oscar Wilde's Salomé. In 2018, Delphian released a CD solely of Allain's choral music, recorded by Benjamin Nicholas and the Choir of Merton College, Oxford. In addition to a busy composition schedule, Richard is Director of Music at Norwich School.

Videte miraculum (2019) SATB divisi Code: NOV297442 Commissioned by ORA and Suzi Digby Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yF3RZTsPAIY

Coventry Carol SSAATTBB Code: NOV050127 Musicroom description: Richard Allain's arrangement of the Christmas favourite Coventry Carol for SATB chorus. A Piano accompaniment is provided for rehearsal purposes, and all voices split to form a sumptuous double chorus during the setting. Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nETlFELgP-I

Matthew Martin Matthew Martin is Precentor and Director of College Music at Gonville & Caius College, Cambridge, and studied at Oxford University and The Royal Academy of Music. He has been commissioned by The Tallis Scholars, the choirs of Westminster Abbey, St Paul’s Cathedral, The Gabrieli Consort and The Sixteen, and won the Liturgical category in the 2013 British Composer Awards. Recent projects include a festival anthem (In the midst of thy Temple) for the choir of Westminster Abbey, marking the 750th anniversary of its refounding, and a test piece (Triptych) for the 2019 St Albans International Organ Competition.

St Albans Triptych (2019) Organ Code: NOV100454 Musicroom description: This work for organ in three movements was commissioned by the St Albans International Organ Festival and premiered by all competitors. Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1lAUnKsq4c

O salutaris hostia (2019) SATB and organ Code: NOV297450 Musicroom description: Written for Richard Pinel and the choir of Jesus College, Cambridge No audio or video but needs mentioning

Missa Speravimus (2018) SATB and Organ Code: NOV297352 Musicroom description: Co-commissioned by the Edington Festival of Music within the Liturgy and by Edward and Sarah Armitage to commemorate their 20th wedding anniversary. Duration: c. 10 minutes No audio or video but needs mentioning

Nico Muhly Composing myself video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KwVZ0u4ZN9A

Nico Muhly (b.1981) is an American composer and sought- after collaborator whose influences range from American minimalism to the Anglican choral tradition. The recipient of commissions from The Metropolitan Opera, Carnegie Hall, St. Paul’s Cathedral, and others, he has written more than 80 works for the concert stage, including the opera Marnie (2017), which premiered at the English National Opera and was staged by the Metropolitan Opera in the fall of 2018. Muhly is a frequent collaborator with choreographer Benjamin Millepied and, as an arranger, has paired with Sufjan Stevens, Antony and the Johnsons and others. His work for stage and screen include music for the Broadway revival of The Glass Menagerie and scores for films including the Academy Award-winning The Reader. Born in Vermont, Muhly studied composition at the Juilliard School before working as an editor and conductor for Philip Glass. He is part of the artist-run record label Bedroom Community, which released his first two albums, Speaks Volumes (2006) and Mothertongue (2008). He lives in New York City.

Only I: (2019) SSAA and piano Code: SRO100188 Musicroom description: A treble voice setting of a text by Australian poet Roberta ‘Bobbi’ Sykes. Commissioned by the Gondwana Choirs and their Artistic Director, Lyn Williams. It was premiered at Sydney Opera House Concert Hall in July 2019. Video, from 36 minutes: https://youtu.be/QX73mdI0kWY?t=2182

Owain Park Owain Park was born in Bristol in 1993. His compositions are published by Novello, and have been performed internationally by ensembles including the Tallis Scholars and the Aurora Orchestra. While at Cambridge University he studied orchestration with John Rutter, before undertaking a Masters degree in composition. As a conductor, he maintains a busy schedule of projects with ensembles including the BBC Singers, the Academy of Ancient Music, Cappella Cracoviensis, and Cambridge Chorale. His own vocal consort, The Gesualdo Six, tour extensively around the world and have been lauded for their interpretation of renaissance and contemporary music. Owain is a Fellow of the Royal College of Organists (FRCO), and was awarded the Dixon Prize for improvisation, having been Senior Organ Scholar at Wells Cathedral and Trinity College Cambridge. He was a Tenebrae Associate Artist for two seasons, and has worked with ensembles including The Sixteen, Gabrieli Consort, and Polyphony.

Night Prayer (2021) SATB a cappella Code: NOV297509 Musicroom description: Night Prayer was written by Owain Park during Covid-19 isolation, and is designed to be performed by singers brought together from afar. The music is based on the ancient chant, Te lucis ante terminum (Before the ending of the day), with the melodies set against gently hummed textures and slow-moving harmonies. Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d4uzBU_jxMA

Sing to me, windchimes (2021) SATB and piano Code: NOV297503 Musicroom description: Sing to me, windchimes was commissioned by Louth Choral Society in 2017 following a bequest made by Gill Fraser, member of the Choir from 2001 - 2014. It was first performed by Louth Choral Society in St James’s Church, Louth, Lincolnshire, on Sunday 22 April 2018, conducted by Owain Park and accompanied by David Parker. The work sets text by Lyva Marty, A. E. Housman, Stella Benson, Alice Meynell and Sara Teasdale. Audio: https://open.spotify.com/track/3PVupWONavtAQh7uNcp5n3

Ave maris stella SATB Code: NOV295086 Musicroom description: Ave Maris Stella, composed by Owain Park for unaccompanied SATB divisi. The approximately 3 and a half minute piece is an original setting of an anonymous plainsong, and is dedicated to the Richard III Society, George Haynes and the St. Peter's Singers. Audio: https://open.spotify.com/track/7ldfjGVY1Wkw8r13l93w6z

Rachel Portman Born in west Sussex, England, Rachel Portman began composing at age 14 and read music at Oxford University. She gained experience writing music for drama in BBC and Channel 4 films including Mike Leigh's Four Days In July and Jim Henson's Storyteller series. Portman has written over 100 scores for film, television and theatre. She was the first female composer to win an Academy Award for her original score for Emma. She has received two further Academy nominations for The Cider House Rules and Chocolat, the latter also earned her a Golden Globe nomination. For the stage and concert hall she has written an opera based on Saint Exupery's The Little Prince (2003) for Houston Grand Opera and the climate change inspired The Water Diviner's Tale (2007), a dramatic choral symphony for the BBC Proms. She has regularly collaborated with acclaimed author Sir Michael Morpurgo together they wrote the Christmas carol We were there (2014) for the Royal Livepool Philharmonic Orchestra and Youth Chorus. Endangered (2012), is an orchestral work commissioned by the National Centre for the Performing Arts, Beijing, for the the World Environment Day Concert in 2013. In 2019 Portman wrote Earth Song for the BBC Singers with text by poet Nick Drake and which also quotes Greta Thunberg. Portman scored the BBC1 animated Christmas special Mimi and the Mountain Dragon (2019) and in February 2020 recorded her first album as compser pianist for Node Records. Portman was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 2010. Composing Myself: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fIjT9ZujFk0&t=6s

Mimi’s Song (2020) Soprano solo, SATB and piano Code: CH88131 Musicroom description: Scored for soprano solo, SATB choir and piano, Mimi’s Song was first performed as part of the TV programme ‘Mimi and the Mountain Dragon’ premiered on Boxing Day 2019 on BBC Two Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iVzt6lCOZR0

Earth Song (2019) SATB Code: SRO100193 Musicroom description: A setting of a new poem by Nick Drake which takes the form of a conversation within the human mind and body as it breaths, interpolating words from a speech by Swedish environmental activist Greta Thunberg. It was commissioned by Radio 3 and first performed by the BBC Singers, conducted by Sofi Jeannin at St Paul’s Knightsbridge on 27 September 2019. Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xPgJmumu5Eg