Schola Cantorum, 12 May 2012, Endler Hall Stellenbosch - the academic chamber choir of the Department of Music of Stellenbosch University, South Africa

Performed by Singing OUT at A Sky Full of Stars on December 2, 2017. Based on Walt Whitman's poem Leaves of Grass, Composer: Rich Campbell

A powerful declaration for freedom and equality, Rich Campbell’s “Border” is angular, emotional, and desperate. the text draws from (and paraphrases) several sources: contemporary media, Emma Lazarus’ “the New Colossus,” the Bible’s Matthew 25:31-40, curr...  moreA powerful declaration for freedom and equality, Rich Campbell’s “Border” is angular, emotional, and desperate. the text draws from (and paraphrases) several sources: contemporary media, Emma Lazarus’ “the New Colossus,” the Bible’s Matthew 25:31-40, currency, and others. the changing meters of “Border” fill the work with an up-tempo, rhythmic energy that propels it forward. Campbell’s piece hardly relents, even as the pace slows this work presses forward with a colorful and often modal harmonic language. “Border” is a call for justice, empathy and compassion, a summons to our collective conscience.  less

“the Wind” was commissioned by the Organization of American Kodály Educators as a result of Rich Campbell winning the Ruth Boshkoff Composition Prize. the text is from Robert Louis Stevenson’s 1885 A Child’s Garden of Verses. the choir begins by emulating...  more“the Wind” was commissioned by the Organization of American Kodály Educators as a result of Rich Campbell winning the Ruth Boshkoff Composition Prize. the text is from Robert Louis Stevenson’s 1885 A Child’s Garden of Verses. the choir begins by emulating the sound of the wind, and then sings directly to the wind, describing the many things the wind does while questioning just who or what the wind is. the piece, inspired by Kodály’s philosophy, develops a folk-like melody in a modern context. the rhythmic piano accompaniment keeps the piece bouncing brightly until its exciting conclusion. Premiere performance by the 2016 OAKE National Children's Choir, Elizabeth Núñez, director. the Wind by Robert Louis Stevenson I saw you toss the kites on high And blow the birds about the sky; And all around I heard you pass, Like ladies' skirts across the grass— O wind, a-blowing all day long, O wind, that sings so loud a song! I saw the different things you did, But always you yourself you hid. I felt you...    less

Students in the 2014 Summer Choral Intensive Choir & San Diego's leading professional chamber choir SACRA/PROFANA singing the world premier performance of composer Rich Campbell's "If I Can Sing, I Still Am Free." Rich Campbell (New York, NY) was the ...  moreStudents in the 2014 Summer Choral Intensive Choir & San Diego's leading professional chamber choir SACRA/PROFANA singing the world premier performance of composer Rich Campbell's "If I Can Sing, I Still Am Free." Rich Campbell (New York, NY) was the SACRA/PROFANA 2014 Call for Scores winner, and was present at the premier of his work in San Diego, CA.  

the Metropolitan Youth Orchestra of New York Nassau Symphonic Choir ~ Louise O'Hanlon, Music Director Adelphi University Performing Arts Center Sunday, March 20, 2016 If I Can Sing, I Still Am Free composer: Rich Campbell ©2014 Pay the Band Music u...  morethe Metropolitan Youth Orchestra of New York Nassau Symphonic Choir ~ Louise O'Hanlon, Music Director Adelphi University Performing Arts Center Sunday, March 20, 2016 If I Can Sing, I Still Am Free composer: Rich Campbell ©2014 Pay the Band Music used by permission Available in print at Swirly Music: http://www.swirlymusic.org/music/choral-music/Rich-campbell-if-i-can-sing-i-still-am-free/  

the SMALLEST SONG is an SATB a cappella setting of a poem by Martha Collins. Performed by the College Of St. Rose Chamber Choir, Dr. Michael Levi, Director. Score available at http://www.swirlymusic.org/composer/Rich-campbell

A request by artistic director Susan Glass for a new choral work addressing climate change resulted in the creation of “Planet Earth Lullaby.” Composer Rich Campbell contemplated and determined the piece would be both an alarm for help and a call to actio...  moreA request by artistic director Susan Glass for a new choral work addressing climate change resulted in the creation of “Planet Earth Lullaby.” Composer Rich Campbell contemplated and determined the piece would be both an alarm for help and a call to action. For over a century the internationally recognized distress signal has been the Morse Code sequence for SOS: 3 short, 3 long, 3 short ( . . . - - - . . . ). This became the rhythmic framework of note durations (heard in various ways) throughout this work, though it collapses when the chorus sings of “catastrophic climate collapse.” the SOS pattern then returns, transformed into longer durations, calling for renewed attention and devotion to our environment. Commissioned by the Glass Menagerie Chorus, NYC.  less

“Border” is an artistic response to the immigration crisis around the globe (especially in the United States). the opening passage is: “Border, sanctuary, asylum, bridges not walls.” the text draws from (and paraphrases) several sources: contemporary medi...  more“Border” is an artistic response to the immigration crisis around the globe (especially in the United States). the opening passage is: “Border, sanctuary, asylum, bridges not walls.” the text draws from (and paraphrases) several sources: contemporary media, Emma Lazarus’ “the New Colossus,” the Bible’s Matthew 25:31-40, currency, and others. the changing meters of “Border” fill the work with an uptempo, rhythmic energy that propels it forward. “Border” is a call for justice, empathy and compassion, a summons to our collective conscience. It is appropriate for ensembles at the community, collegiate, and advanced high school levels. “timely… It is a call for humanity.” - Susan Glass, Glass Menagerie Chorus, NY a “powerful statement” - Dr. Heather Mitchell  less

"We Will Shine Like the Sun" - South Shore Children's Chorus, Kirsten Oberoi, director. 1/27/20. Premiere of this version, for combined treble & mixed choir: SA+SATB w/piano accompaniment. Music & Lyrics by composer Rich Campbell. View score here: https:...  more"We Will Shine Like the Sun" - South Shore Children's Chorus, Kirsten Oberoi, director. 1/27/20. Premiere of this version, for combined treble & mixed choir: SA+SATB w/piano accompaniment. Music & Lyrics by composer Rich Campbell. View score here: https://www.swirlymusic.org/music/choral-music/Rich-campbell-we-will-shine-like-the-sun-sa-satb-piano/