Breath Eternal

I posted this piece a couple of months ago (before the forum change...haven't really been around since then). However, I made some changes based on a really cool piece that we have been performing in U of U Singers called "A Drop in the Ocean" (it should be up on our YouTube chann in the next few weeks if you want to take a look). This piece which we have been performing utilizes some really interesting breathing/speaking effects which inspired me to add another dimension to this choral piece that I wrote last summmer; I have been feeling as if something was missing from the beginning and end and I think this might just fill the void.

Breath Eternal PDF

Breath Eternal mp3 (sorry, it's the same MP3 as before, because most of the changes I made can't be played back; maybe soon I'll get it performed...)

...wow. That was gorgeous- I looked at the sheet music and the breathing is a really cool idea! It's experimental yet tangible- great job. Reminds me of Eric Whitacre.

Thank you! I think some of the effects I used still need some polishing, but I really like the depth that it adds.

This is a really gorgeous work. I'd love to hear something like this performed live - perhaps you can have the choir at your school perform this? It's very reminiscent of Arvo Part to some extent - are you familiar with his work?

This is a really gorgeous work. I'd love to hear something like this performed live - perhaps you can have the choir at your school perform this? It's very reminiscent of Arvo Part to some extent - are you familiar with his work?

I've been trying to get my director to look at it, but he's pretty well known so he gets a lot of score submissions (his name is Dr. Brady Allred, in case you may have heard of him). I am not familiar with Arvo Part, but I will look him up right now...

I hope you enjoy Part as much as I do. No, I haven't quite heard of him.

I hope you enjoy Part as much as I do. No, I haven't quite heard of him.

I guess we're even then! Haha...

You're the first person who has compared me to someone besides Eric Whitacre, which, as much as I love certain pieces by Whitacre, I do not aspire particularly to be like him, and so it gets really old after a while... After listening to some of Arvo Part's music just now, I can see the similarity and am glad to be compared to him. :) Beautiful!

I guess we're even then! Haha...

You're the first person who has compared me to someone besides Eric Whitacre, which, as much as I love certain pieces by Whitacre, I do not aspire particularly to be like him, and so it gets really old after a while... After listening to some of Arvo Part's music just now, I can see the similarity and am glad to be compared to him. :) Beautiful!

Part has definitely made a name for himself in Europe and here. I like some Whitacre.. but iono... I prefer Part over him.

Original music and words. Religious text with recurring motive of breath.

Breath Eternal

Edit: Woah, it automatically posted this? Weird...

I've been trying to get my director to look at it, but he's pretty well known so he gets a lot of score submissions (his name is Dr. Brady Allred, in case you may have heard of him).

I've heard of him! His choirs always rock.

Thanks! I sure think so, but I'm biased. :) How do you know about him?

I live in Utah. :)

I live in Utah. :)

Ah, no wonder. I wonder if we've ever met...

I like the piece very well; it flows well and the 'mood' changes smoothly. Yes, it sounds similar to E.Whitacre (EW uses the same stacked chords and mystic chords in his pieces; his 'original' sounds aren't original at all. He's one of the few who uses those chords).

What type of choir is the piece meant to be sung by? I'm (assumingly) thinking it's meant for a small group, maybe 20-30 singers, so that the vowels could be controlled. Any thoughts?

Yes, I would definitely prefer a more intimate group, although up to 60 singers would work (as I think I said before, I would really love it if my university choir, the University of Utah Singers, would perform it and we are just shy of 50 singers). It was originally written with the "Pittsburgh Camerata" in mind, since they performed another of my pieces in 2008, and the director was trying to fit it into their program for this year, but it didn't really fit with any of her themes. Hopefully I find someone soon! :)

What exactly do you mean by "stacked chords and mystic chords"? I'm pretty sure I'm not using Scriabin's chord anywhere... I assume a stacked chord would be the same thing as a polychord?

Stacked or poly, means the same thing to me =P

Mystic chords are built off patterns. A general mystic chord is built using an A4th, d4th, A4th, P4th, P4th. They give off eery sounds, but they can also be built to make cheerful sounds (e.g. d4th, A4th, d4th, P4th, P4th). Many patterns exist.

An update:

I just recorded this piece on Friday. Here's what I got.

Excellent! You took something that I'm not too fond of (really sharp dissonances) and convinced me of them in this piece- good job! I agree with woodruff- it reminded me of Part (my all-time favorite living composer) almost immediately, but you definitely don't sound like a photocopy of him.

Keep up the great work!