Westminster Christian Academy Concert Choir Prima Voce March 25, 2021 "If I Can Sing, I Still Am Free" Composer: Rich Campbell Text: Sara Teasdale "Refuge" Conductor: Allen Schwamb

“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

A setting of a short love poem by Gertrude Stein, this brief piece is built on a round - and so can be learned quickly. It was a winning selection in the inaugural Pioneering Voices composition competition held by Mount Holyoke College. "delightful and...  moreA setting of a short love poem by Gertrude Stein, this brief piece is built on a round - and so can be learned quickly. It was a winning selection in the inaugural Pioneering Voices composition competition held by Mount Holyoke College. "delightful and whimsical....  the singers are really having fun with it." - Colin Britt  

All the Whiskey In Heaven, for TTBB Men's Choir, a cappella. Composer: Rich Campbell. Text: Charles Bernstein. Performed by the men of Dordt College, Benjamin Kornelis, director

Constellation Men's Ensemble performs the world premiere of "World's Fair," a setting of the evocative poem by Jenna Goldsmith. 6/8/25, Chicago.

“the Red Wheelbarrow,” an innovative environmental/imagist poem I first read as a teenager, struck me as an alluring and joyful means to immerse in a commission by Austin's Inversion Ensemble for their Planet Home project. the score blossomed during a fel...  more“the Red Wheelbarrow,” an innovative environmental/imagist poem I first read as a teenager, struck me as an alluring and joyful means to immerse in a commission by Austin's Inversion Ensemble for their Planet Home project. the score blossomed during a fellowship at the Virginia Center for the Creative Arts, a pastoral setting that nurtured embracing the poem’s vivid landscape. the piano provides a repeating foundation over which the choir playfully evokes the spare text, using variations of the initial theme throughout. there is a contemplative moment midway, then the pulse resumes, concluding with a gleeful repetition of the last line. "the Red Wheelbarrow is a wonderfully approachable and fun piece of music. the singers of Inversion had a blast working through the rhythmic lilt and subtly beautiful harmonies, so often found in Rich Campbell's music. the clever musical interpretation brought out the wry humor of the text." Trevor Shaw, Inversion Ensemble AD  less

Golden Apples Of the Sun SATB a cappella World Premiere performed by: Celebration Singers May 31, 2019 Cranston, NJ USA

Depression, isolation, alienation: themes addressed in this setting of Robert Frost’s metaphorical text. the choir paints images over a repeated jazz piano bass line. the sense of walking at night is evoked as are the inner-blues of the poem. Rhythmic and...  moreDepression, isolation, alienation: themes addressed in this setting of Robert Frost’s metaphorical text. the choir paints images over a repeated jazz piano bass line. the sense of walking at night is evoked as are the inner-blues of the poem. Rhythmic and thought-provoking. This is a work of medium difficulty, appropriate for high school, collegiate and community choirs. Commissioned by Penn High School Choirs, Andrew Nemeth, Allison Secaur, Ethan Schopp, directors.  

Dr. Iris Levine conducts VOX Femina in the premiere of the SSAA voicing of "In Those Years, No One Slept." A setting of the haunting poem by Claudia Serea. 11/2/25 in Los Angeles

the Metropolitan Transit Authority in New York has a “Poetry in Motion” series that puts posters of poetry in subway cars. I was on the 1 train on Manhattan’s West Side one day when I saw the poem “Heaven,” by Patrick Phillips. I was immediately captured ...  morethe Metropolitan Transit Authority in New York has a “Poetry in Motion” series that puts posters of poetry in subway cars. I was on the 1 train on Manhattan’s West Side one day when I saw the poem “Heaven,” by Patrick Phillips. I was immediately captured by the simple beauty of Patrick’s poem, and the mystery of the first line, “It will be the past.” I loved his vision and thought immediately that I wanted to compose music for this poem. Mystery, joy, wonder. “Heaven” is the winner of choral composition competitions sponsored by both the Manhattan Choral Ensemble and Georgia College. Performed by the Georgia College Max Noah Singers, Dr. Jennifer Flory conducting.  less