Mari Esabel Valverde
Mari Esabel Valverde
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.
In 2011, her song Månskenskväll (Moonlit Evening) was premièred by the International Orange Chorale of San Francisco at the Chorus America conference. Her first published work The Cloths of Heaven has received performances by the Massachusetts and Florida All-State Choirs, the Alaska Chamber Singers, and the Oregon Bach Festival Strangeland Family Youth Choral Academy.
Her musical language is a response to music she loves, including diverse styles from the French symbolists to Brazilian pop to Nordic art song and contemporary American choral music. With a prominent background in choral singing and a passion for languages, she is comfortable to explore a variety. She has set texts in Danish, English, French, German, Spanish, and Swedish.
A native of Fort Worth, Texas, she holds degrees from St. Olaf College, the European American Musical Alliance (EAMA) in Paris, France and the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. Her teachers include Tim Mahr, Justin Merritt, Philip Lasser, Narcis Bonet, David Conte, and David Garner.
Ms. Valverde sang for three years with the world-renowned St. Olaf Choir and for three seasons with the International Orange Chorale of San Francisco. She is a member of ASCAP, ACDA, TMEA, and the American Composers Forum.
"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'')
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.
