Excited (and, I'll admit it, relieved!) to learn that I recently received Associate and Choirmaster certifications from the American Guild of Organists!

In "Embarrassment of Riches" news, I learned that my monodrama/art song "I will never stop embracing you" – about the Scottish Otherworld tale of Tam Lin as a lens for neurodivergent love and acceptance – is a National Finalist for The American Prize's Charles Ives Award in Vocal Chamber Music.

Learned this morning I am a finalist in 3 categories of The American Prize: The Dale Warland Choral Conducting Award; Major Choral Works, for Altus Prosator; & the Thomas Putsche Memorial Award for Bessie & Ma, libretto by @caitlinvincent.bsky.social Thanks to all the performers of these!

Something I wrote back in November, and thinking about it today with RFK's confirmation and the swirl of cruelty including the cuts to NIH funding as well as the overt anti-Trans, anti-Queer messaging in the recent removal of websites and health data.

A little known fact about Grover (who turned 13 this last month!) is that he has impeccable camouflage in the snow. You wouldn't think it, but just observe: he blends right in. Incredible.

A busy weekend for the singers at St. David's Bmore – on Friday, Daryl Yoder & pianist Jung-Yoon Lee performed Schubert's "Wintereisse" on the St. David's Series while at the same time Michael Manganiello & Stephanie Baird performed music by Josh Bornfield at songSLAM at National Sawdust in NYC!

But thei were all of them deceivid for anothir environment-killinge plagiarism machyne was made

Always lovely to pull out old favorites in the new year: some Bach, some Duruflé, and “Lead, Kindly Light” by Haley Olson!

Pictured: Bach “Christ unser Herr,” Duruflé’s “Prelude on the Introit to Epiphany” on the console; three scores, including Haley’s.

#choir #organ #newmusic #choral #baltimore

Super proud of the work of the students at Georgia Southern Opera, who put together the production of “Bessie and Ma” by Caitlin Vincent and me featured at the ‘24-‘25 @nationaloperaassociation conference in Savannah! #opera #newopera #newmusic #composer #librettist #savannah

Getting ready for liftoff! At dress rehearsal for the @nationaloperaassociation performance of @caitlincvincent ‘s and my “Bessie and Ma.”

Image: a wooden propellor on stage blocks.

#opera #newmusic #operasinger #bessie #bessiecoleman #composer #librettist

It’s not every day you get to pick up trolley tickets for your opera!

Coming up Tuesday: @caitlincvincent and my opera “Bessie and Ma” at the 70th @nationaloperaassociation conference!

Pictured: trolley tickets to Bessie and Ma.

#opera #newmusic #composer #libretto #song #artsong

Just arrived in Savannah, GA for the 2025 NOA conference, which will feature “Bessie and Ma,” by Caitlin Vincent and me, as the winner of the ‘24-‘25 Dominick Argento Prize in Chamber Opera!

#opera #composer #newmusic #libretto #noa ##bessiecolemam #song #singer #artsong

It was my uncommon pleasure to write the program notes for "and we, each" Michael Hersch's new opera, which premieres tonight. A lovely surprise to learn that the essay was also published by The Hopkins Review:
hopkinsreview.com/features/to-...

toi toi toi to everyone! #opera #newmusic #theater

Today’s view from the console: Baltimorian Thomas Kerr’s Miniature Antiphonal on a Pedal Point,” my new arrangement of The Old Church Yard & a reprise of “of sound and light.” Out of frame: Douglas Guest’s “For the Fallen” & Vierne’s Carillon de Westminster. Happy All Saints (and belated Samhain)!

Still on a cloud after last night’s concert with Peter Sheppard Skærved, featuring music of Robert Saxton, Gloria Coates, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, and the world premiere of my new piece “…of sound and light…” Mòran, mòran taing to Peter and the intrepid choir of St David’s, Baltimore.