Thesis (D.M.A.)--Univeristy of Oklahoma, 1997. / Includes bibliographical references.

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No description available.

No description available.

"EDIFICE" Opus 4. No. 2, is a composition scored for double, mixed chorus, soprano and baritone soli, 2 oboes, 2 clarinets in Bb, 2 bassoons, 4 horns in F, 2 trumpets in C, 2 trombones, and bass trombone. The piece is based on the poem EDIFICE, by Tean E. Schultz, which was written at the request of the composer. / The philosophical impetus of this work stems from the process of perspectival redefinition, the resultant alteration in perceptual space being of primary importance. This could be viewed as the meta-text of the poem and forms the basis for an iconic realization of this concept in "EDIFICE". / The work is characterized by the unusual spatial disposition of its constituent ensembles. Specifically, the two mixed choirs are antiphonally situated, one on either side of the audience, with the wood winds and brass set in two concentric circles between the two choirs. The wood winds and bass trombone are enclosed by the remaining brass. This arrangement of the instruments relates directly to the imagery implicit in the third segment of the poem; " ... I will not listen, My self is pouring Outside me; Like a cast of metal Covers me ... ". / In terms of compositional designs the work explores such techniques as cyclical permutation of phonemic units derived through the phonetic fragmentation of text segments; phonemic manipulation in a multi-layered texture for the purpose of timbral variation; inexact rhythmic imitation, termed "quasi cannon"; serialized and "eroded" breathing rhythms; continuous redisposition of semi-chromatic pitch cells as foundational harmonic structures; and textural "cross-fading" within the antiphonal distribution of forces.

Abstract Not Available.

Of A Covered Harvest is a twenty minute music composition for alto solo, mixed double choir (SSAATTBB) and percussion. It uses the following texts: Sacrifice by Alicia Munoz; Non Linear by Phyllis Webb and ancient Mayan words. The piece explores the themes of power, choice and the crowd versus the individual using the musical depiction of a ritual human sacrifice as a forum for commentary. The three part structure of the piece is delineated by the narration of the ritual by the choir: preparation, sacrifice and resolution, and by the emotional reaction to the sacrifice by the alto solo (victim): denial, isolation and anger; depression and bargaining; and acceptance. Of A Covered Harvest uses contemporary vocal techniques such as vocalizations, paralanguage and the phonetic manipulation of text. The piece follows in the tradition of twentieth century performance practice in its use of graphic notation and aleatoric passages.

The Four Horsemen is an original composition in three movements that sets the texts of the Greetings and Doxology, the story of the four horsemen, and the River of Life from the Book of Revelation as found in the New International Version of the Bible. The text, which is presented in English, is set for a large SATB choir and narrator with a mixed ensemble, which consists of flute, clarinet, horn, trumpet, piano, organ, and cello. This fifteen-minute composition makes extensive use of pitch and numerical symbolism by way of a twelve-tone row. Although the piece uses a row, it contains elements of tonality and is globally organized around a tonal center. The piece uses several extended vocal and instrumental techniques to heighten the dramatic character of the apocalypse story. The accompanying document provides historical context for the piece and a discussion of the musical elements and compositional processes used in the work. The symbolic nature of the text, as well as a detailed account of the story of the four horsemen, is also included in this document. The review of repertoire considers a selection of recent works that set portions of the text, as well as compositions inspired by Revelation. The methodology chapter explains the construction, use, and symbolic elements of the row as well as the inclusion and setting of well-known motives like the Dies Irae and the chromatic-fourth lament bass. An analysis of each movement includes discussion of the use of pitch and rhythmic material, texture, setting of the text, and other musical elements that contribute to and/or enhance the symbology of the work. The first movement establishes C as the tonal center, introduces the row and other important motives, and sets the mood for the piece. The second movement, which includes two ostinato figures (a figure based on the reordered version of the row and the lament bass), makes extensive use of syncopation and hemiola throughout the multi-metric environment. The final movement sees the return of motives from the first movement; it employs the row’s retrograde and concludes with a plagal cadence. / School of Music

Thesis (M.A.)--State University of New York at Binghamton, Department of Music, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of California, San Diego, 2004. / Amplified quartet consists of flute, guitar, violoncello, and percussion; chamber choir for a minumum of 16 performers, SSSSAAAATTTTBBBB. Text fragments taken from Black magic by Amiri Baraka. Includes performance instructions preceding score. Vita.