Music

Many of my scores are available from Composers Edition or on my pages on the Canadian Music Centre or the Scottish Music Centre. Five Forest Rounds and Dàn nan Ròn are available from  Canasg Music. Feel free to contact me (emilydoolittle at gmail.com) for any scores that are not available on either of these sites, or if you want to hear something that isn’t included below.

Quicksilver (2023)
3’00”; for solo marimba; commissioned by Katie Rife

Nightscape (2022)
Variable; for any type of ensemble; commissioned by Ensemble La Cigale

Luscinia (2022)
Variable; for solo soprano recorder; for Vincent Lauzer, commissioned by Ensemble La Cigale

Los Bilbilikos (2022)
10’00”; for voice and early music ensemble; based on Spanish and Ladino poetry; commissioned by Ensemble La Cigale

Pretty Little Small Birds (2022)
4’00”; for tenor and piano; commissioned by Marcel d’Entremont with funding from Canada Council for the Arts

Air Sgeir an Ròin (2011/2022)
5’00”: mezzo-soprano and piano; based on text by Rody Gorman. This is an adaptation of melody I first wrote for children’s choir for the Seal Songs project, with Paragon and the Voice Factory Choir. This version is for Taylor Wilson and Hebba Benyaghla, for concerts and a recording organized by composer Margaret McAllister.

Duo for Oboe and Whippet (2022)
variable; feel free to adapt for any other instrument/voice and any other kind of dog; though this piece is humorous, it’s not just a joke — I’ve been having an amazing time playing long tones with my dog, especially during lockdown when I’ve been missing sonic exchange with others. Free score here. Recording here.

Gannetry (2021)
variable; for solo or multiple winds, strings, and/or voices and recording device and/or looper and/or live electronics; with poetry by Dawn Wood; commissioned for clarinettist Jo Nicholson by Ruta Vitkauskaite and the Modern Chants Project. View here at 1h17’20”. Score here.

Machair Flowers (2021)
variable; for solo instrument and narrator; with poetry by Dawn Wood; commissioned for violist Katherine Wren by Ruta Vitkauskaite and the Modern Chants Project. View here at 51’21”.

Below the Surface (2021)
8’00; for soprano and piano; based on poetry by Rachel Richardson and Rella Lossy; commissioned by Ensemble for These Times

Grow Old Along With Me (2021)
6’00; for SATB choir; commissioned by Luminos Vocal Ensemble

Tony Beaver and the Big Music (2021)
8’00; for speaking pianist and animation (by Ben Willis); commissioned by Doug Jurs

The Wren-King (2020)
2’30”; for SSAA choir; commissioned by Katy Cooper for the Madrigirls. Performance available here.

Gardenscape (Glasgow 2020) (2020)
variable (3’00”-15’00”); for violin and recording device or for multiple violins; commissioned by Contemporary Music for All for Ruta Vitkauskaite. Perusal score available here. Performance available here.

Bowheads (2019)
11’00”; for piano trio; commissioned by Chamber Music Scotland for the Kapten Trio. Perusal score available here. Performance available here.

Palouse Songbook (2019)
12’00”; for flute and piano; commissioned by Sophia Tegart with funding from a Washington State University New Faculty Seed Grant. Perusal score available here.

Reedbird (2018)
11’00”; for winds and brass (3333-2221); commissioned by the Vancouver Symphony. Perusal score available here.

Woodwings (2018)
1. Bobolink
2. Hermit Thrush
3. Winter Wren
4. Snow Geese
5. Night Owls

11’00”; for wind quintet; commissioned by Fifth Wind with funding from the Canada Council for the Arts. Perusal score available here.






Conversation 
(2017)
12’00”; for soprano and 11 instruments; based on poetry by Eleonore Schönmaier; commissioned by the St Andrews New Music Ensemble, conducted by Bede Williams, with the support of the Royal Society of Edinburgh and the Culture and Animals Foundation.

Three Summer Wassails (2017)
       I. Blackberry Wassail
       II. Mushroom Wassail
       III. Potato Wassail

9’00”; for SATB choir; poetry by Forrest Pierce; written with the support of a Canada Council for the Arts Grant to Professionals

Field Guide (2017)
10’00”; for string trio; commissioned by the Fair Trade Chamber Music Society.

Three Summer Pieces (2017)
7’30”; for two flutes; commissioned by Sophia Tegart with funding from the Mu Phi Epsilon Foundation James and Lola Faust Chamber Music Grant.

Jan Tait and the Bear (2012-2016)
45’00”; for narrator, mezzo-soprano, baritone, and 5 instruments; written with the support of a Canada Council grant to professional musicians. Winner of an Opera America 2016 Discovery Grant. Perusal score available here.

migrations (2015)
8’00”; for poet, bass clarinet, violin, and cello; based on poetry by Eleonore Schönmaier; commissioned by the Musings Ensemble for Jamie McLaren.

sapling (2014)
14’00”; for violin and orchestra; commissioned by the Canada Council for the Arts for Calvin Dyck and the Vancouver Island Symphony.

Seven Duos for Birds or Strings (2012)
14’00”; for violin and viola; commissioned by the Canada Council for the Arts, research funding from the Eric Stokes Fund and the Culture and Animals Foundation; for Annette-Barbara Vogel.

A Short, Slow Life (2011)
9’00”; for soprano and orchestra or for soprano and nine instruments; commissioned by Suzie LeBlanc and Alasdair MacLean for Suzie LeBlanc and Symphony Nova Scotia; broadcast by Radio-Canada; winner of the 2012 Theodore Front Prize.

An excerpt of the chamber version, performed by Suzie LeBlanc and members of Symphony Nova Scotia, conducted by Dinuk Wijeratne, can be heard below. The complete recording is available for purchase at the Canadian Music Centre.


Songs of Seals
(2011)
27’00”; for narrator, children’s choir, and 7 instrumentalists; texts by Rody Gorman and Emily Doolittle; for the Voice Factory Youth Choir and the Paragon Ensemble; written with the support of the Canada Council for the Arts, the Artist Trust, ASCAP and Creative Scotland.


Dàn nan Ròn
(2011)
11’00”; for 2-part children’s choir, with flute and cello obligato; texts in Gaelic by Rody Gorman; written with the support of the Canada Council

Folie à Deux (2011)
3’30”; for flute and harpsichord; commissioned by Cléo Palcio-Quintin and Katelyn Clark (Montreal).

Reeds (2010)
36’00”; for reed trio and dancer; commissioned by the Umbrella Ensemble (Montreal/Winnipeg /Portland) for performance at the Newfoundland Sound Symposium.

Sorex (2010)
7’30”; for piano four-hands; commissioned by the Fung-Chiu Duo (Montreal).

Hatchlings (a set of six) (2009)
6’00”; for baritone and piano; commissioned by Giles Herman (Nova Scotia) for Tom Herman.

Utah, 1996 (2009)
6’00”; for solo cello; for Tim Ingold (Scotland).

Body of Wood (2009)
5’00”; for mezzo-soprano, Bohlen Pierce clarinet, tritavophone, percussion and cello; text by Rae Crossman; video by Reinhard Reizenstein; commissioned by the Canada Council for Transpectra (Ontario).

The Wise Daughter (2009)
11’00”; for narrator, violin and piano; commissioned by Talespin (Vienna).

Nocturne (2008)
4’00”; for solo alphorn; commissioned by Mike Cumberland (Ontario).

Vocalise (for Bees) (2008)
3’30”; for solo voice; for Miranda Loud (Boston).

Gliese 581 c (2008)
4’00”; for solo piano; commissioned by Rachel Iwaasa (Vancouver). The performance below is by Rachel Iwaasa from her CD Cosmophony, which can be purchased from the Canadian Music Centre.


Paths
(2008)
11’00”; for solo harp; commissioned by Laurel and David Phillipson for Tacye Phillipson (England).

Social sounds from whales at night (2007)
8:00; for soprano or solo instrument and tape; commissioned by the Canada Council for Helen Pridmore (New Brunswick). 


…and some fireworks
(2007)
12:00; for orchestra; commissioned by the Conseil des Arts de Montréal for Orchestre Métropolitain du Grand Montréal; broadcast by CBC/SRC. An excerpt, performed by the Orchestre Métropolitain, conducted by Yannick Nézet-Séguin, is below.


20 Piano Pices for Children
(2006)
commissioned by the Canada Council; published by Debra Wanless Music as Playing 1 and Playing 2.

Why the parrot repeats human words (2005)
19:00; for narrator, clarinet, viola, and percussion; or for narrator and violin and piano; or for narrator and wind quintet; based on a Thai folktale; commissioned by the Canada Council for Meduse (Toronto/Montreal). A n excerpt of a performance by Meduse is below.


Le Loup, la Chêvre et le Chevreau
(2005)
9:00; text by Jean de La Fontaine; for soprano, tenor, 8 flutes, cello;
commissioned by the Nova Scotia Arts Council for Alizé (Montreal).

all spring (2004)
18:00; for soprano, flute, clarinet, violin, bass, and percussion; text by Rae Crossman; commissioned by the Canada Council for the Motion Ensemble (New Brunswick).


green/blue
(2003)
12:00; for orchestra; commissioned by the Oregon East Symphony (Oregon).

music for magpies (2003)
7:00; for viola da gamba with quarter-tone frets; for Karin Preslmayr (Amsterdam). Performance below is by Karin Preslmayr.


col
(2002)
5:30; for violin and marimba; commissioned by the Netherland-America Foundation for Entropy (Amsterdam/New York).

minute etudes (book two) (2002)
6:00; for piano; for Ben Binder (New Jersey); broadcast by Radio Bosna-Herze (Sarajevo).

Childs Play (2002)
I. The Royal Staircase
II. Nicely
III. The Stone Carrier
12:00; for soprano and piano; texts by Erik Satie, translated Emily Doolittle; commissioned by the Nova Scotia Arts Council for Janice Jackson and Eve Egoyan (Halifax/Toronto); broadcast by CBC. The Royal Staircase, performed by Janice Jackson and Eve Egoyan, can be heard below.


Dance
(2001)
6:30; for orchestra; commissioned by First Music for the New York Youth Symphony (New York).

Virelais (2001)
12:00; for soprano and viola d’amore; texts by John Donne; commissioned by the Nova Scotia Arts Council for Janice Jackson and Thomas Georgi (Halifax/Toronto).

green notes (2001)
7:30; for baroque Orchestra; commissioned by CBC for Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra; broadcast by CBC.

falling still (2000/2001)
5:00; for baroque string orchestra or string quartet; commissioned by the Canada Council for Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra.

four pieces about water (2000)
I. running water
II. salt water
III. frozen water
IV. rain water
11:00; for nine instruments; commissioned by the Nova Scotia Arts Council for Ensemble Contemporain de Montréal; broadcast by CBC, SRC. An excerpt of a performance by ECM, with Veronique Lacroix conducting, is below.


Ruby-Throated Moment
(1999)
3:30; for solo high soprano; for Wendy Humphries.

Airs of Men Long Dead (1998/1999)
I. Waiting
II. Wolf
III. Song
IV. Sycamore
10:00; for soprano and chamber orchestra or piano; text by Forrest Pierce; for Patricia Green (Ontario). A performance of Song, by Patricia Green and Midori Koga, is below.


night black bird song
(1999)
8:00; for two flutes and three percussion; commissioned by SCI/ASCAP for the New York University New Music Ensemble; broadcast by Syracuse/Utica radio; recorded on Capstone label. Listen to the complete piece below.


field music
(1998)
4:30; for solo clarinet; for Jennifer Barlament (Michigan). Video recording by Michelle Goddard available here.


minute etudes
(book I) (1998)
furtive; languid; lively; lonely; playful
5:00; for piano; for Ruth Rose (Amsterdam); broadcast by the Radio Bosna-Herze, the Concertzender, CBC.

suppose i was a marigold (1997)
4:45; for cello  and piano; commissioned by Greg Homza (Indiana).

Four Short Pieces for String Quartet (1997)
I. Contented
II. Tangled
III. Desolate
IV. Dancing
9:45; broadcast by CBC.

BURN (1997)
4:30; for 15 Womens Voices and Percussion; ancient Mayan text, translated by Christopher Sawyer-Laucanno; for the Indiana University Contemporary Vocal Ensemble (Indiana).

Aubade (1996)
2:30; for solo flute; for Ellen Waterman; broadcast by the Concertzender, Amsterdam.

Weather Songs (1996)
I. Lightning
II. Snow
9:30; for soprano, flute, violin, cello, piano, and percussion; text by Yves Bonnefoy, translations by John Naughton; recorded on Muziekgroep Nederland label.

Two Hammarskjold Songs (1994)
I. Thus It Was
II. Seven Weeks
7:30; for soprano and piano; text by Dag Hammarskjold, translations by W. H. Auden.00″

With Soloist

Sapling (2014)
12’30”; for violin soloist and orchestra; commissioned by the Canada Council for the Arts for Calvin Dyck and the Vancouver Island Symphony.

A Short, Slow Life (2011)
9’00”; for soprano and orchestra (or for soprano and nine instruments); commissioned by Suzie LeBlanc for Suzie LeBlanc and Symphony Nova Scotia; based on a poem by Elizabeth Bishop.

An excerpt of the chamber version, performed by Suzie LeBlanc and members of Symphony Nova Scotia, conducted by Dinuk Wijeratne, can be heard below. The complete recording is available for purchase at the Canadian Music Centre.

falling still (2001)
5’30”; for violin soloist and string orchestra; commissioned by the Canada Council for the Arts for Tafelmusik.

Airs of Men Long Dead (1999)
11’00”; for mezzo-soprano and orchestra.

Without Soloist

Reedbird (2018)
11’00”; for orchestral winds and brass (3333-2221); commissioned by the Vancouver Symphony

and some fireworks (2007)
            I. reels
            II. air
            III. two jigs and some fireworks
14’00”; for orchestra; commissioned by the Conseil des Arts de Montréal  for the Orchestre Métropolitain du Grand Montréal. 
An excerpt, performed by the Orchestre Métropolitain, conducted by Yannick Nézet-Séguin, is below.


green/blue
(2003)

12’00”;  for orchestra;  commissioned by the Oregon East Symphony.

Dance (2001)
6’30”;  for orchestra; commissioned by First Music for the New York Youth Symphony.

green notes (2000)
7’00”; for baroque orchestra; commissioned by CBC for Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra.

Los Bilbilikos (2022)
10’00”; for voice and early music ensemble; based on Spanish and Ladino poetry; commissioned by Ensemble La Cigale

Bowheads (2019)
11’00”; for piano trio; commissioned by Chamber Music Scotland for the Kapten Trio

Palouse Songbook (2019)
12’00”; for flute and piano; commissioned by Sophia Tegart with funding from a Washington State University New Faculty Seed Grant

Woodwings (2018)
11’00”; for wind quintet; commissioned by Fifth Wind Quintet with funding from the Canada Council for the Arts.

Conversation (2017)
12’00”; for soprano and 11 instruments; commissioned by the St Andrews New Music Ensemble, conducted by Bede Williams, with the support of the Royal Society of Edinburgh and the Culture and Animals Foundation

Field Guide (2017)
10’00”; for string trio; commissioned by the Fair Trade Chamber Music Society.

Three Summer Pieces (2017)
7’30”; for two flutes; commissioned by Sophia Tegart with funding from the Mu Phi Epsilon Foundation James and Lola Faust Chamber Music Grant.

Jan Tait and the Bear (2012-2016)
45’00”; for narrator, mezzo-soprano, baritone, and 5 instruments; written with the support of a Canada Council grant to professional musicians, the Hinrichsen Foundation, and an Opera America Disovery Grant 2016.

migrations (2015)
8’00”; for poet, bass clarinet, violin, and cello; based on poetry by Eleonore Schönmaier; commissioned by the Musings Ensemble for Jamie McLaren.

Seven Duos for Birds or Strings (2012)
14’00”; for violin and viola; researched and composed with funding from the Canada Council for the Arts, the Eric Stokes Fund and the Culture and Animals Foundation; for Annette-Barbara Vogel and Dan Sweaney.

A Short, Slow Life (2011)
9’00”; for soprano and nine instruments (or for soprano and orchestra); commissioned by Suzie LeBlanc and Alasdair MacLean for Suzie LeBlanc and Symphony Nova Scotia; broadcast by Radio-Canada; winner of the 2012 Theodore Front Prize.

An excerpt, performed by Suzie LeBlanc and members of Symphony Nova Scotia, conducted by Dinuk Wijeratne, can be heard below. The complete recording is available for purchase at the Canadian Music Centre.


Folie à Deux
(2011)

3’30”; for flute and harpsichord; commissioned by Cléo Palacio-Quintin and Katelyn Clark.

Reeds (2010)
36’00”; for oboe, clarinet, bassoon and dancer; commissioned by the Umbrella Ensemble (Newfoundland Sound Symposium, 2010).

Sorex (2010)
7’00”; for piano four-hands; commissioned by the Fung-Chiu Duo.

The Wise Daughter(2009)
11’00”; for narrator, violin, and piano; based on a Jewish folktale; commissioned by Talespin.

Paths (2008)
11’00”; for flute and harp; commissioned by Laurel Phillipson for Tacye Phillipson.

Why the parrot repeats human words (2005)
19:00; for narrator, clarinet, viola, and percussion; or for narrator and violin and piano; or for narrator and wind quintet; based on a Thai folktale; commissioned by the Canada Council for Meduse (Toronto/Montreal). A n excerpt of a performance by Meduse is below.

Le Loup, la Chêvre et le Chevreau (2005)
9’00”;  text by Jean de La Fontaine;  for soprano, tenor, 8 flutes, cello; commissioned by the Nova Scotia Arts Council for Alizé.

all spring (2004)
     I. five o’clock
     II. all spring
     III. have you
     IV. ruffed grouse
     V. just when
18’00”;  for soprano, flute, clarinet, violin, bass (or cello), and percussion;  text by Rae Crossman; commissioned by the Canada Council for the Motion Ensemble.

col (2002)
5’30”;  for violin and marimba;  commissioned by the Netherland-America Foundation for Entropy.

falling still (2000/2001)
5’00”;  for baroque string orchestra or string quartet;  commissioned by the Canada Council for Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra.

four pieces about water (2000)
     I. running water
     II. salt water
     III. frozen water
     IV. rain water
11’00”;  for nine instruments;  commissioned by the Nova Scotia Arts Council for Ensemble Contemporain de Montréal. An excerpt of a performance by ECM, with Veronique Lacroix conducting, is below.

Four Short Pieces for String Quartet (1999)
7’00”; for string quartet

night black bird song (1999)
8’00”;  for two flutes and three percussion;  commissioned by SCI/ASCAP for the New York University New Music Ensemble. Recorded on Capstone label. Purchase here.


suppose i was a marigold
(1997)
4’45”;  for cello  and piano;  commissioned by Greg Homza

Solo Piano

Gliese 581c (2008)
4’00”; commissioned by Rachel Iwaasa

The performance below is by Rachel Iwaasa from her CD Cosmophony, which can be purchased from the Canadian Music Centre.

minute etudes, book II (2002)
6’00”;  for Ben Binder

minute etudes, book I (1998)
5’00”; for Ruth Ros

Solo Instrumental

Quicksilver (2023)
3’00”; for solo marimba; commissioned by Katie Rife

Luscinia (2022)
Variable; for solo soprano recorder; for Vincent Lauzer, commissioned by Ensemble La Cigale

Gardenscape (Glasgow 2020) (2020)
variable (3’00”-15’00”); for violin and recording device or for multiple violins; commissioned by Contemporary Music for All for Ruta Vitkauskaite. Perusal score available here. Performance available here.

Utah, 1996 (2009)
variable; for solo cello, based on transcriptions of a hermit thrush song, recorded by Kevin Colver; written for Tim Ingold

Nocturne (2008)
4’00”; for solo alphorn; commissioned by Mike Cumberland

Social sounds from whales at night (2007)
8’00”; for solo instrument or voice and tape; commissioned by the Canada Council for Helen Pridmore

music for magpies (2003)
7’00”;  for viola da gamba with quarter-tone frets (or cello or viola);  for Karin Preslmayr. Performance below is by Karin Preslmayr.


field music
(1998)
4’30”;  for solo clarinet;  for Jennifer Barlament

Aubade (1996)
2’30”;  for solo flute;  for Ellen Waterman. Download a PDF score

Solo Voice

Vocalise (for bees) (2008)
4’30”; for solo voice; commissioned by Miranda Loud

Social sounds from whales at night (2007)
8’00”; for solo instrument or voice and tape; commissioned by the Canada Council for Helen Pridmore

Ruby-Throated Moment (1999)
3’30”; for solo high soprano; poetry by Rae Crossman; for Wendy Humphries

Voice Solo or With One Instrument

Air Sgeir an Ròin (2011/2022)
5’00”: mezzo-soprano and piano; based on text by Rody Gorman. This is an adaptation of melody I first wrote for children’s choir for the Seal Songs project, with Paragon and the Voice Factory Choir. This version is for Taylor Wilson and Hebba Benyaghla, for concerts and a recording organized by composer Margaret McAllister.

Pretty Little Small Birds (2022)
4’00”: for tenor and piano; based on several folk songs; commissioned by Marcel D’Entremont with funding from the Canada Council for the Arts.

Below the Surface (2021)
8’00; for soprano and piano; based on poetry by Rachel Richardson and Rella Lossy; commissioned by Ensemble for These Times

Hatchlings (a set of six) (2009)
7’00”; for baritone and piano; commissioned by Giles Herman

vocalise (for bees) (2008)
3’00”; for solo mezzo-soprano; commissioned by Miranda Loud

Social sounds from whales at night (2007)
8’00”; for soprano and electronics; commissioned by the Canada Council for Helen Pridmore. Performance materials for this work include: the score, an aiff lossless audio file, the tape part and the recording of Helen Pridmore‘s performance
.

Childs Play (2002)
     I. The Royal Staircase
     II. Nicely
     III. The Stone Carrier
12’00”;  for soprano and piano (or for tenor and piano);  texts by Erik Satie, translated Emily Doolittle;  commissioned by the Nova Scotia Arts Council for Janice Jackson and Eve Egoyan. The Royal Staircase, performed by Janice Jackson and Eve Egoyan, can be heard below.


Virelais
(2001)
12’00”;  for soprano and viola d’amore (or soprano and violin);  texts by John Donne; commissioned by the Nova Scotia Arts Council for Janice Jackson and Thomas Georgi

Ruby-Throated Moment (1999)
3’30”;  for solo high soprano;  for Wendy Humphries

Airs of Men Long Dead (1998/1999)
     I. Waiting
     II. Wolf
     III. Song
     IV. Sycamore
10’00”;  for soprano and piano;  text by Forrest Pierce;  for Patricia Green. Recorded on Blue Griffin label. A performance of Song, by Patricia Green and Midori Koga, is below. This CD can be purchased here.


Social sounds from whales at night
(2007)
8’00”; for solo instrument or voice and tape; commissioned by the Canada Council for Helen Pridmore.

Two Hammarskjöld Songs (1994)
7’30”; for soprano and piano.

Children’s Piano Pieces

Playing 1 and 2 (2006/2013)
20 junior/intermediate level piano pieces, published by Debra Wanless Music Purchase here.

Turning (2006)
Included in Canadian National Conservatory of Music Northern Lights series, level IIB. Purchase here.

Tranquil (2002)
Included in Canadian National Conservatory of Music Northern Lights series, level IVB. Purchase here.

Children’s Choir

Songs of Seals (2011)
27’00”; for narrator, children’s choir, and 7 instrumentalists; texts by Rody Gorman and Emily Doolittle; for the Voice Factory Youth Choir and the Paragon Ensemble; written with the support of the Canada Council for the Arts, the Artist Trust, ASCAP and Creative Scotland.

Dàn nan Ròn (2011)
11’00”; for 2-part children’s choir, with flute and cello obligato; texts in Gaelic by Rody Gorman; written with the support of the Canada Council. Available from Canasg Music.

Five Forest Rounds (1992/2014)
variable; five simple rounds for any number of singers. Available from Canasg Music.

Pieces for Children’s Concerts

Jan Tait and the Bear (2012-2016)
40’00”; for narrator, mezzo-soprano, baritone, and 5 instruments; written with the support of a Canada Council grant to professional musicians.

Songs of Seals (2011)
27’00”; for narrator, children’s choir, and 7 instrumentalists; texts by Rody Gorman and Emily Doolittle; for the Voice Factory Youth Choir and the Paragon Ensemble; written with the support of the Canada Council for the Arts, the Artist Trust, ASCAP and Creative Scotland.

The Wise Daughter (2009)
11’00”; for narrator, violin and piano; commissioned by Talespin (Vienna).

Why the parrot repeats human words (2005)
19:00; for narrator, clarinet, viola, and percussion; or for narrator and violin and piano; or for narrator and wind quintet; based on a Thai folktale; commissioned by the Canada Council for Meduse (Toronto/Montreal). A n excerpt of a performance by Meduse is below.

Chamber Opera

Jan Tait and the Bear (2012-16)
40’00”; for narrator, mezzo-soprano, baritone, and 5 instruments; written with the support of a Canada Council grant to professional musicians.

Semi-staged

Le Loup, la Chêvre et le Chevreau (2005)
9’00”; text by Jean de La Fontaine; for soprano, tenor, 8 flutes, cello;
commissioned by the Nova Scotia Arts Council for Alizé (Montreal).

With Narrator

Songs of Seals (2011)
27’00”; for narrator, childrens choir, and 7 instrumentalists; texts by Rody Gorman and Emily Doolittle; for the Voice Factory Youth Choir and the Paragon Ensemble; written with the support of the Canada Council for the Arts, the Artist Trust, ASCAP and Creative Scotland.

The Wise Daughter (2009)
11’00”; for narrator, violin and piano; commissioned by Talespin (Vienna).

Why the parrot repeats human words (2005)
19:00; for narrator, clarinet, viola, and percussion; or for narrator and violin and piano; or for narrator and wind quintet; based on a Thai folktale; commissioned by the Canada Council for Meduse (Toronto/Montreal). A n excerpt of a performance by Meduse is below.

With Dance

Reeds (2010)
36’00”; for reed trio and dancer; commissioned by the Umbrella Ensemble (Montreal/Winnipeg /Portland).

Grow Old Along With Me (2021)
6’00; for SATB choir; commissioned by Luminos Vocal Ensemble

The Wren-King (2020)
2’30”; for SSAA choir; commissioned by Katy Cooper for the Madrigirls. Performance available here.

Three Summer Wassails (2017)
       I. Blackberry Wassail
       II. Mushroom Wassail
       III. Potato Wassail

9’00”; for SATB choir; poetry by Forrest Pierce; written with the support of a Canada Council for the Arts Grant to Professionals

Songs of Seals
(2011)
27’00”; for narrator, children’s choir, and 7 instrumentalists; texts by Rody Gorman and Emily Doolittle; for the Voice Factory Youth Choir and the Paragon Ensemble; written with the support of the Canada Council for the Arts, the Artist Trust, ASCAP and Creative Scotland.


BURN
(1997)
4:30; for 15 Womens Voices and Percussion; ancient Mayan text, translated by Christopher Sawyer-Laucanno; for the Indiana University Contemporary Vocal Ensemble (Indiana).

Duo for Oboe and Whippet (2022)
variable; feel free to adapt for any other instrument/voice and any other kind of dog; though this piece is humorous, it’s not just a joke — I’ve been having an amazing time playing long tones with my dog, especially during lockdown when I’ve been missing sonic exchange with others. Free score here.

Gannetry (2021)
variable; for solo or multiple winds, strings, and/or voices and recording device and/or looper and/or live electronics; with poetry by Dawn Wood; commissioned for clarinettist Jo Nicholson by Ruta Vitkauskaite and the Modern Chants Project. Listen here at 1h17’20”. Score here.

Machair Flowers (2021)
variable; for solo instrument and narrator; with poetry by Dawn Wood; commissioned for violist Katherine Wren by Ruta Vitkauskaite and the Modern Chants Project. Listen here at 51’21”.

Gardenscape (Glasgow 2020) (2020)
variable (3’00”-15’00”); for violin and recording device or for multiple violins; commissioned by Contemporary Music for All for Ruta Vitkauskaite. Perusal score available here. Performance available here.