My piece “Are You Out There” was published this past spring by Shawnee Press, and is an Editor’s Choice at J. W. Pepper. The text is by my pal Herb Frombach. It is a delightful piece of wonder about if we are alone in the universe, or if there is “someone out there”. It is arranged for 2-part treble voices and piano.

This past December, the Chester County Choral Society included my arrangement of Dormi Dormi, Bel Bambin in their holiday programming. It is in Italian and English, and is arranged for 3-part women’s voices, piano and flute. They sounded like angels – truly beautiful! This piece is published by Hinshaw Music, and was an Editor’s Choice selection at J. W. Pepper.

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.