Kurt's favorite advanced choral pieces on MusicSpoke
My list for Ethan Sperry
At Northwestern ACDA, I had the great pleasure of spending time with Ethan Sperry. I’ve been a fan of Ethan’s work for a good while. After talking for a bit, he asked what advanced SATB music we had with us at the MusicSpoke booth. We don’t often bring a ton of that music to conferences, but I promised I would make him a list. Here are some of my favorite odds and ends for more advanced groups. These aren’t going to suit everyone, but it is worthy music for more advanced ensembles.
Everyone Sang | Kile Smith | SATB with soloist
Kile was listening to this wild, Gaelic Psalm-singing tradition from the coast of Scotland. It’s a call and response form, but the response is improvised and crazy. He wrote something like that in this piece, and I love it.
Through Love | Kurt Knecht | SATB double chorus and djembe
I was listening to a lot of Sufi music and reading Rumi when I got a commission to write a cori spezzati piece for double choir and percussion. Super energetic and fun.
Beyond Ideas | Ryan Keebaugh | SATB divisi
This piece contains Ryan’s signature style of stillness and sonic interest combined with a mystical text.
Ave Maris Stella | Kathleen Allan | SSATBB
Kathleen is a fabulous composer and conductor. Her music is always marked by solid craft and emotional directness.
Through the Wilderness of Worlds | Ed Frasier Davis | SATB divisi
Ed always writes with a richness and beauty that shows his rich imagination. He also has really inventive harmonic turns.
Short is Time | Forrest Pierce | SATB divisi
Forrest is one of my favorite composers. I love his music and his person. Whatever he does is interesting, and this is no exception.
Ne Irascaris Domine | Frank La Rocca | SATB divisi
Frank writes music like Josquin would if he were alive today. It is beautifully crafted, and every surprise seems inevitable which is the nicest thing I know how to say.
Phillips Church Te Deum | Gregory Brown | SATB divisi
I love Greg’s music because it is music that is so different from anything that I would write. You will always find immaculate voice-leading and harmonic interest in Greg’s writing.
Root of All Things | John Rommereim | SATB divisi
John’s music is new to me. I have thoroughly enjoyed his imagination and daring. It’s super tasty and interesting.
Youth | Kahan Taraporevala | SATB divisi
Kahan is a young composer and he’s already writing some fascinating music. I’m excited to see what he’s going to do next.
Looking for more repertoire suggestions? Check out curated lists here and reading session lists here.
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