Review from the Columbus, Indiana Republic, of the orchestral premiere of in paradisum….written by Dr. Charles Webb, Dean Emeritus of the Indiana University School of Music. (Online version isn’t accessible, so this link is a PDF.)
Here’s the recording of the premiere of St. Patrick’s Hymn, from a few weeks ago, by the Greenville Chorale and Symphony. The piece will be in print with Hinshaw Music in January, as a choral octavo with keyboard accompaniment, as well as with the full orchestral winds/brass/percussion heard here.
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This upcoming performance in my hometown- conducted by my longtime friend, Will Wickham (who used to tune my piano in my school days!), and accompanied by none other than Frances McLaren, who taught me-not just my piano lessons, but MUSIC-MAKING- from seventh grade until college. Wish I could be there!
Sales of “Arise, Shine”, the first recording of my concert choral music, has been really selling well recently. I’m not sure what’s causing the interest in it, but I thought I’d highlight it here again. You can buy the CD directly, using Paypal, or you can buy mp3s online from iTunes. All product and ordering information is available on my Recordings page- click here.
Hinshaw has moved the release date for St. Patrick’s Hymn up, from early 2012, to early 2011. I’m very glad that we won’t have to wait over a year to have it in print! Now it’ll be out in just a few months.
I haven’t forgotten about the audio file of it…. I’ll post it here soon. 
If you’ve looked at my commission list in the last few months, you’ve seen one “secret” one on there….well, that was a children’s anthem of the Swedish hymn, “Children Of The Heavenly Father”. It was commissioned as a birthday gift for Sheryl Farquhar, from her husband, in honor of her 30 years of directing children’s choirs at Mitchell Road Presbyterian Church here in Greenville, SC. It was presented to Sheryl yesterday, so now the “secret” is out. The anthem is for two-part children’s choir and piano (or harp), with optional handbells, flute, and cello. It’s fairly simple and direct, and reflects the contrast between human child-like frailty, and God’s unfailing care for His own. I’m looking forward to hearing it in January when it’s premiered!
This weekend, I’ll be in Wichita, KS at Friends University, for a concert with the Friends University Alumni Choir, directed by Dr. Cecil Riney (who mentored such conductors as Andre Thomas and Kevin Fenton, there at Friends University).
The concert, held at Eastminster Presbyterian Church, will include several Forrest pieces- concert works including All People That On Earth Do Dwell, and Over Havet (third performance ever!), as well as sacred anthems including The First Noel, There Is Faint Music, How Great Thou Art, and Nearer Still Nearer. I’ll be accompanying at the piano (which I enjoy immensely!).
Looking forward to seeing some old friends there, and meeting some new friends as well! More info available at the Friends University website (click here).
