Choral Works
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A powerful choral-orchestral setting of Dylan Thomas’s visionary poem, And Death Shall Have No Dominion moves between romantic lyricism and dramatic declaration. Written for upper-intermediate to advanced ensembles, it offers ceremonial breadth, expressive intensity, and a practical reduced-instrumentation version.
Instrumentation: treble voices, SATB chorus, and orchestra
Duration: 9 minutes
Difficulty: Upper intermediate to advanced
Text / Source: And Death Shall Have No Dominion by Dylan Thomas
Alternate version: organ, piano, trumpet, percussion, and children’s choir -
A 15-minute cantata setting poems by Thomas Hardy, The Battle Cry (A Tragedy) reflects on the human cost of war through scenes of departure, battle, death, grief, and remembrance. Its varied choral textures make it well suited for programs centered on war, peace, literature, and moral reflection.
Instrumentation: SATB chorus and piano; two movements a cappella
Duration: 15 minutes
Difficulty: varies by movement
Text / Source: poems by Thomas Hardy -
A romantic chamber work for violin and piano, Could You Dream What I Dream transforms material from Baxter’s opera Lily into a songful instrumental dialogue. Its lyrical character and clear contemporary tonal language make it well suited for violin recital and chamber music programs.
Instrumentation: violin, piano
Duration: 6+ minutes -
A moving choral work setting Ewart Alan Mackintosh’s 1916 poem of wartime remembrance, In Memoriam combines modal, folk-like melody with expressive restraint. Its quiet dignity and distinctive harp-and-piano color make it well suited for memorial programs and concerts exploring war, loss, and remembrance.
Instrumentation: SATB chorus, harp, and piano
Duration: 5 minutes
Difficulty: Medium
Publisher: Alymar Publications
Text / Source: poem by Lieutenant Ewart Alan Mackintosh -
An uplifting choral work with text by Lisa VanAuken after C. P. Cavafy, Journey to Ithaca reflects on life as a journey of growth, hope, and discovery. Its folk-like melodic character, rondo form, and dramatic conclusion make it especially effective for collaborative choral programs.
Instrumentation: SATB chorus, children’s chorus, organ, and piano
Text / Source: text by Lisa VanAuken, based on a poem by C. P. Cavafy -
A concise four-minute setting of the Mass text, Kyrie combines formal clarity with expressive sacred character. Written for intermediate SATB chorus, the work alternates homorhythmic and polyphonic textures within a tonal language enriched by chromatic color.
Instrumentation: SATB chorus
Duration: 4 minutes
Difficulty: Intermediate
Publisher: Alymar Publications
Text / Source: Kyrie text from the Ordinary of the Mass -
A three-song choral cycle setting poems by Sara Teasdale, Songs of Life offers direct, expressive writing for SATB chorus or children’s chorus / 2 treble voices with piano. Its flexible voicing and lyrical style make it well suited for school, community, church, and youth choir programs.
Instrumentation: SATB and piano, or children’s chorus / 2 treble voices and piano
Duration: 7–8 minutes
Publisher: Alymar Publications
Text / Source: poems by Sara Teasdale -
A lyrical and powerful setting of Dame Edith Sitwell’s Blitz-era poem, Still Falls the Rain moves from darkness and intensity toward spiritual consolation. Written for SATB chorus and organ, the work is well suited for sacred concerts, Lenten programs, memorial observances, and themes of war, suffering, faith, and hope.
Instrumentation: SATB chorus and organ
Duration: 7–8 minutes
Difficulty: Medium
Publisher: Alymar Publications
Text / Source:Still Falls the Rain by Dame Edith Sitwell -
A set of a cappella songs based on Renaissance poetry, Three Madrigals combines lyrical directness, clear musical architecture, and contemporary harmonic color. Commissioned by Western Maryland College, the set is well suited for chamber choirs, collegiate ensembles, and vocal groups exploring early English poetry.
Instrumentation: a cappella voices
Duration: 8 minutes
Publisher: North Star Music
Text / Source: anonymous Renaissance poems; The Silver Swan by Christopher Hatton -
A Christmas choral work for SATB chorus and piano, A Virgin Most Pure combines traditional warmth with fresh harmonic color. Its clear ABA design, lyrical opening material, and jazz-inflected middle section make it well suited for Christmas concerts, Lessons and Carols services, and seasonal choral programs.
Instrumentation: SATB chorus and piano
Duration: 4–5 minutes
Difficulty: Intermediate
Publisher: Alymar Publications
Text / Source: words from various public-domain sources -
A dramatic choral setting of Stephen Crane’s bitterly ironic poem, War Is Kind contrasts public rhetoric with private grief. Its recurring refrain, sharp changes of mood, and clear dramatic pacing make it well suited for programs addressing war, loss, remembrance, social critique, or American poetry.
Instrumentation: SATB chorus and piano
Duration: 6 minutes
Difficulty: Upper intermediate
Publisher: Alymar Publications
Text / Source: War Is Kind by Stephen Crane -
A romantic a cappella setting for SATB chorus, Wild Mountain Thyme draws on the traditional song while adding newly composed music for several verses. Its direct melodic character and warm choral resonance make it well suited for school, church, community, and chamber choirs.
Instrumentation: SATB chorus a cappella
Duration: 4 minutes
Difficulty: Moderately easy
Text / Source: traditional song text