In November, my song cycle “Nameless” was premiered by Soprano Emily Bullock and Baritone Randall Scarlata at West Chester University. They were accompanied by piano professor, Patricia Powell. I can’t imagine two voices more suited to sing it. The song cycle texst, by Mary Lou Newmark, are about mentally ill and homeless people.

It was a thrill to hear my song cycle, “Songs of Ruth”, performed at Moravian College on Feb. 20th. this 3-song cycle is based on the biblical account of Ruth and her mother-in-law, Naomi. The first song is Naomi, who is sad, bitter, and angry; the second is Ruth, who is resolute in her desire to stay with her mother-in-law, even though it may mean a very uncertain future; and the final song is the voice of the daughters of Jerusalem, who rejoice that Ruth has borne a son and Naomi’s status has been redeemed. Soprano Stephanie Heavens did a beautiful job interpreting the different emotions, as did accompanist Gary Garletts.

In March I was able to travel to Buffalo for the premiere of a piece commissioned by the Freudig Singers. The piece I wrote for them is called “Sing a New Song To the Lord”, which will be published by Hinshaw Music. Director Roland Martin guided the singers in a beautiful performance of this piece. They also performed my piece “Far and Away”, which was sung with great tenderness and longing, and my choral suite, “An Adirondack Day”. I was happy to see a few familiar faces and make a few new friends.