chamber

Mari Esabel Valverde

Member Since August, 2010

Genre:

chamber, choral, instrumental, vocal

Biography:

Mari Esabel Valverde (b. 1987) composes choral, vocal, orchestral and chamber works, including two song cycles. Her music has been described as a gem, known for depth and a need to go towards ecstasy. She believes music is fundamental to education and crucial to human development; she looks forward to collaborations with ensembles across the world.

Recent Works:

"Oracle of Spring" for SATB chorus a cappella (2'30''); "Månskenskväll" for SATB chorus (div.) a cappella (2'); "Prayer of St. Francis" for SATB chorus and piano (3'30''); "Cuatro poemas de Octavio Paz" song cycle in Spanish for high voice and piano (12'); "To digte af Tove Ditlevsen" song cycle in Danish for high voice and piano (7'); "Marche des pirates" for brass quintet (3'); "Man in the Top Hat" for brass quintet (2'45''); "her first snow" for string orchestra (5'30''); "Still wie die Nacht" for SSAATTBB chorus a cappella (5'30''); "The Cloths of Heaven" for SATB chorus and piano, also available for chorus, harp, and string orchestra (3'30''); "When You Are Old and Gray and Full of Sleep" for SATB chorus and piano, also available for chorus, harp, and string orchestra (3'30'')

Artist Statement:

Music exists in order to bring people together to celebrate living, to share in sorrowful moments, to contemplate the universe, and most importantly, to expose sensitivities and communicate the depth of human emotion. The more we remind ourselves of who we are and of what we are capable, the better we feel and live. Let our songs be our love of life.

Janet Peachey

Member Since October, 1998

Washington, District of Columbia

Genre:

ballet, chamber, choral, opera, orchestral, vocal

Biography:

Composer Janet Peachey has written music in a wide variety of genres: opera, ballet, orchestral, chamber, piano, and vocal. Her works have been performed to critical acclaim in the United States and Europe. She recently completed both libretto and music for Wheel Ordeal, a comic opera about buying a car.Dr. Peachey has received grants for composition from the National Endowment for the Arts, DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities, Meet the Composer, Alban Berg Foundation, and the City of Vienna Cultural Council, and has had music published by Arsis Press.

Recent Works:

Wheel Ordeal, a full-length chamber opera Concerto for flute and orchestra"Waiting," an elegy for choir and cello on a poem by Cheryl DeniseVariations and Theme for horn and piano

District of Columbia

Jerry Casey

Member Since April, 2007

Worthington, Ohio

Genre:

chamber, choral, orchestral, Piano, vocal

Biography:

JERRY CASEYJerry Casey, Worthington, Ohio, has composed works in all genres from solo voice to full orchestra. The Otterbein University (Westerville, Ohio) Concert Choir premiered three choral compositions in 2010: What Shall We Bring? at its Winter Concert, Yet I Will Rejoice (with orchestra) at its Spring Concert and Autumn at its Fall Concert. Autumn was a part of the concert program when the choir toured China in late 2010. These three works plus two others are a part of her new CD, Yet, I Will Rejoice, released in January, 2011

Recent Works:

What Shall We Bring? (SSAATTBB a cappella, Amos 6:6-8); Autumn (SSAATB a cappella, poetry of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow); Yet, I Will Rejoice (SSATB with chamber orchestra, Habakkuk 3:17-19); O Death, Rock Me Asleep (soprano and solo violin, poetry of Anne Boleyn); A Short Suite for Two Flutes.

Ohio

Brian Penkrot

Member Since March, 2007

Iowa City, Iowa

Genre:

chamber, jazz, orchestral, Rock, solo

Biography:

Iowa

Justin E. A. Busch

Member Since February, 2007

Saint Paul, Minnesota

Genre:

chamber, orchestral, Piano, songs

Biography:

Justin E.A. Busch (born St. Louis, Missouri, April 23, 1959) is a musicial traditionalist; his musical lineage connects with Slavic predecessors such as Anton Rubinstein, Bohuslav Martinu, Sergei Prokofiev, and Dmitri Shostakovich. He is only the second composer in history to write pieces in all of the major and minor keys including the enharmonic keys, although as the first was Johann Christian Heinrich Rinck (1770-1846), it may be taken that such a feat is not an automatic guarantee of fame.

Recent Works:

'Squamish Winter Skies', Rhapsody for Orchestra
Quartet for Flute, Alto Saxophone, Bassoon, and Piano
Quartet, C Major, Flute and Strings
Quintet, F Major, Flute, Clarinet, Alto Saxophone, Viola, Violoncello
Quintet for Clarinet and Strings
Phantasy Quartet, E Major, Piano and Strings
String Quartet #10 in g# minor
Quartet, B Major, Viola, Alto Saxophone, Tenor Saxophone, and Trombone
String Quintet in E-Flat Major
Suite #2, in d minor, for solo Viola Pomposa
Meditation in D-Flat Major for Viola, Alto Saxophone, and Piano
Second Suite, F Major, Viola solo
String Quartet #9 in c minor
'Elegy for Robin Wood' for Vibraphone, Clarinet, and Piano
String Quartet #8 in d minor
Palimpsest' for orchestra
Sinfonietta #3 in e minor
String Quartet #7 in a# minor
'Reflections': Nocturne for Celesta and Small Orchestra
'Laiuse' (tone poem for orchestra)

Artist Statement:

Composition is a dialogue between the composer and the music. The duty of the composer is to create honestly, to hear what the piece requires and express it as fully as possible. I enjoy working with performers to learn ever more fully the possibilities both of their instruments and their personal technique, and writing music which takes both into account. Accordingly, I have written pieces which require virtuoso ensemble work, and I have written pieces which fall easily under the hands of amateurs. My style is generally tonal, melodic, and formally conservative, but I do not eschew free atonality and even serialism, should the music's expressive demands require them. Someone once asked Alessandro Scarlatti why he used a certain peculiar chord in one of his works; his answer, I think, has never been bettered as an explanation of why one writes as one does: "Because it sounds well."

Minnesota

Debra Dyko

Member Since January, 2007

Genre:

chamber, choral, Liturgical, Orchestra

Biography:

Debra Dyko's writing has been influenced by the wide range of jobs she has held. From being a modern dance accompanist to being music director of a seminary, her musical styles also span a wide variety of styles and mediums. In addition to works for choirs she has written for orchestra, band, voice and chamber ensembles. In addition to being a composer and teacher, she is also a Colleague of the American Guild of Organists and hold's a Master's in Organ Performance.Debra Dyko's writing has been influenced by the wide range of jobs she has held.

Ted Vives

Member Since June, 2006

Los Alamos, New Mexico

Genre:

chamber, Concert Band, orchestral

Biography:

Ted Vives (b. 1964) originally from Auburn, Alabama, began music studies at the age of 4, taking piano and theory lessons from Edgar and Dorothy Glyde. His musical interests changed to trombone performance and composition upon entering the public school system. Vives holds bachelor's degrees in both composition and music education from Florida State University where he studied with John Boda and Charles Carter. He also holds a Masters of Music in Composition and a Ph.D. in Music Education from the University of Florida where he studied with Budd Udell and John D. White.

Recent Works:

Fete(for Duo Piano) Premiered June 7, 2009Cathy Lin and Catherine Chen, pianistsFuller Lodge, Los Alamos, NMCastrovalvafor mixed SSAATTBB ChorusKilmartin Glen - a Sculpture in Stones(for orchestra)Reading, January 22, 2010 Santa Fe Community OrchestraSteiren Rehearsal HallSanta Fe, NM

Artist Statement:

Music is essential to the health and well-being of the human species. I do my part to maintain that.

New Mexico

J. E. Rose

Member Since March, 2005

Monkey Island, Oklahoma

Genre:

and electro-acoustic works, chamber, orchestral

Biography:

As an emerging composer of works spanning a wide array of genres, Jennifer Estelle Rose has shown a talent for communicating through her music. While paying homage to composers such as Rachmaninoff and Sibelius in her neo-romantic style, she maintains simplicity in her compositions suggesting a fascination with minimalism.

Recent Works:

'The Oath' for String Orchestra 'Lost War' arr. for Alto-Saxophone and Chamber Orchestra'Lost War' for Mezzo-Soprano and Orchestra'Quintet No. 2' for piano quintet'Quintet No. 1' for string quartet and horn'From Me to You' - new electronic work'Falling Apart' for Mezzo-Soprano, piano, and electronics'Ode on Solitude' for countertenor, harp, and piano'Shadow's Dance' - new orchestra score'Day of Reckoning' for tuba and electronic accompaniment'Touch of Grace' for advanced youth orchestra'Reign of Tyrants' for orchestra

Artist Statement:

Music is an expression of oneself without the limitations of words or pictures. It is truly limitless communication.The gift of music is priceless and one cannot understand it fully if he does not experience it. Music gives us a respect for all things and helps us recognize the simple beauty in them. This experience is necessary in the maturation of people and cultures all over the world. This is why it is so important to bring this gift to our youth so they may grow into a generation of artists of all forms. To gain the experience necessary to become a successful artist, it is important to give our youth better resources. These resources may be better music, drama, and art programs in the public education system, or high schools that are specialized for the artist. It would be an immense benefit to our society and culture to give our youth the opportunity to explore their artistic potential. Schools that give our children this opportunity prepare them for a much more enriching lifestyle than the world could ever produce otherwise.

Oklahoma

Shirley Mier

Member Since April, 2002

Woodbury, Minnesota

Genre:

Band, chamber, Orchestra, Theatre, vocal

Biography:

Shirley Mier has been a composer, music director and performer in the Twin Cities for nearly two decades. She composes music of all kinds, in the theatre, educational and concert world. Theatre works include a musical adaptation of "Madeline?s Christmas," which has been performed nationwide; text settings for Shakespeare?s "Much Ado About Nothing" and "Twelfth Night"; and "Alexander at Delphi," a one-act musical drama about Alexander the Great.

Recent Works:

BLINK: a string quartet in 100 notes, 2007STRANGE ATTRACTOR, ballet (string quartet & tape), 2007Nancy Carlson's HARRIET & WALT (Stages Theatre), 2007A CHRISTMAS CAROL (Stages Theatre), 2006MAIDEN VOYAGE, concert band, 2005VISAGES: A Song Cycle for Mezzo-Soprano and Orchestra, 2005 I. "Tibetan Girl" II. "Luguhu's Calling" III. "Beijing Hutongs"(also available in piano-vocal reduction)MADELINE'S CHRISTMAS (Stages Theatre), 2004TWELFTH NIGHT (Shakespeare in the Park), songs, 2003THEME AND DEVIATIONS FOR BAND, 2003MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING (University Theatre), incidental music & songs, 2002ALEXANDER AT DELPHI (Center for Independent Artists), Musical Drama in One Act, 2002INVENTION FOR STRING TRIO, 2001ALBUM LEAVES for Brass Quintet, 2001THE BUCK IN THE SNOW (setting of the Edna St. Vincent-Millay poem), mezzo-soprano + piano, 2001

Minnesota

Martha Bishop

Member Since September, 1999

Atlanta, Georgia

Genre:

chamber, early insts., vocal

Biography:

Martha Bishop is a cellist and viola da gamba performer in Atlanta. She composes for a wide variety of chamber players and singers. She has written and published a variety of exercises for viola da gamba and cello. Music for early instruments (recorders and viols) is published by PRB Publications, and music for school string orchestras (many with harp) are published by Fountain Park Music Publishing.Martha Bishop is a cellist and viola da gamba performer in Atlanta. She composes for a wide variety of chamber players and singers.

Recent Works:

"The Dieties" String Quartet"Deus, Deus meus" for SATB and piano"Missa Brevis""Euphonium Euphoria" for euhonium/tuba quartet"Eye of the Storm" for flute ensemble"Underground Caverns" for double string orchestra"Vampire Dance" for school orchestra and harp, grade level 2"Serna Suite" for solo bass viola da gamba"A Shaker Prayer" for SATB choir"Jasmine" for piano trio"Stabat Mater" for choir and viola da gamba quartet"Solstice Serenade" for choir and solo viola"Te Deum" for choir and orchestra"Wave Lengths" for recorder, oboe, clarinet, bassoon"Hijaz" for solo cello or viola da gamba"Time Travel" for cello quartet and viola da gamba quartet"Waterfalls" for school string orchestra and harp, grade 5/6"Listening for Christmas" for choir and solo French horn"In Nomines Incognito" for viol quartet"Tango In Nomine" for viol quartet, arr. string orchestra"What News!" for choir and solo celeste"Stations of the Cross" for choir, soloist, speaker, string quartet (or viols)

Artist Statement:

I have come late to composing, so I'm making up for the lost time. All of the works listed as "recent" were written in the last 3 years.

Georgia

chamber

Mari Esabel Valverde

Janet Peachey

Jerry Casey

Brian Penkrot

Justin E. A. Busch

Debra Dyko

Ted Vives

J. E. Rose

Shirley Mier

Martha Bishop

American Composers Forum

Follow ACF

Partner Organizations

Other ACF Sites