SACRED

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I composed Pater Noster in New York City in 2015. Pater Noster (The Lord's Prayer) is a venerated Latin Christian prayer that, according to the New Testament, was taught by Jesus to his disciples. This text is commonly used in sacred liturgies, and it has been set to music by many composers. The choral texture is very light, with homophonic and polyphonic moments, and the melody is mostly featured in the soprano line. Right after the choral setting, there is also a voice/piano version.

I composed O Nata Lux in New York City, NY in February of 2020. This setting features the Latin words found on the sacred text “O Nata Lux”. The piece was premiered in NYC in May of 2021 by the soloists of Saint Michael's Episcopal Church.

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I composed Have Mercy On Me in New York City, on February of 2021.This piece is a SATB a cappella setting of the first two verses of Psalm 51.This piece was commissioned by the St. Michael’s Episcopal Church Choir in New York City.This piece was premiered at The St. Michael’s Episcopal Church in New York City on March 21st, 2021.

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Duo Seraphim Duo seraphim clamabant alter ad alterum: Sanctus Dominus Deus Saboath. Plena est omnis terra gloria ejus. Tres sunt, qui testimonium dant in coelo: Pater, Verbum et Spiritus Sanctus: Et hi tres unum sunt. Sanctus Dominus Deus Sabaoth. Plena est omnis terra gloria ejus. English Translation: Two seraphim cried to one another: Holy is the Lord God of Sabaoth. The whole earth is full of his glory. There are three who bear witness in heaven: The Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit: And these three are one. Holy is the Lord God of Sabaoth. The whole earth is full of his glory. (Isaiah 6:3)

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Nunc Dimittis (Now you dismiss) was composed in New York City in 2014, and was officially premiered in October 15th 2014 at Saint Michael’s Episcopal Church in New York City, USA. This piece has a public domain text from the Bible - Luke 2: 29-32 – King James Version (KJV). This text is the traditional 'Gospel Canticle' of Night Prayer, widely used at the end of liturgical services such as Compline. The harmonies are trying to express the meaning of all the words in the text.

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I composed They that wait upon the Lord in New York City in 2015. This piece was commissioned by the choir of Wesley United Methodist Church, Vienna, VA, USA. This piece features a lively beginning in which the piano part presents the theme from the middle section. The first entrance of the choir presents the main theme, and right after that, the text is underlined by unison on different voice parts. There are some moments of polyphony and key changes. The choral texture is appropriate for an operatic approach. The piano part is complimentary in activity to the voice parts, but at the same time, it has a completely independent chord progression. The overall dynamic is forte, and there is an uplifting feeling throughout the entire piece.

There is an extended version of this piece that was premiered at The David Geffen Hall - Lincoln Center in NYC on April 13th of 2019.

I composed Voca me in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in 2009. The text is part of a Latin hymn called “Dies Irae” attributed to either Thomas of Celano or to Latino Malabranca Orsini . The hymn dates from at least the thirteenth century, though it is possible that it is much older, with some sources ascribing its origin to St. Gregory the Great, St. Bernard of Clairvaux, or St. Bonaventure. The poem describes the day of judgment, the last trumpet summoning souls before the throne of God, where the saved will be delivered and the unsaved cast into eternal flames. The main theme is sung by all the parts in different moments. The repetition of the main theme is a reinforcement of the meaning of this prayer.

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This piece was commissioned by the Parish of St. Catherine of Sienna and St. Agnes, Riverside, CT. A Christmas celebration for SATB Choir, Organ, Trumpet & Timpani

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I composed The Lord Has Brought Me Home in New York City in 2015. This piece was commissioned by the St. Luke’s Episcopal Church Choir, San Francisco, CA, USA. This piece sounds like a hymn with a jazzy approach. Originally, it was written for SATB choir, jazz trio, trombone, and alto saxophone.

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4 parts a cappella for the end of the service.

I composed The Micro Mass in New York City in 2020. This piece sets the invariable portions of the Eucharistic liturgy (principally that of the Catholic Church, the Anglican Communion, and Lutheranism) to choral music. This very “short mass” can be performed separately or in its entirety. Although it is recommended that this work should be performed a cappella, the piano reduction can be played during live performances as a “support” for the singers. Also, every movement features one section of the choir as the melody, giving the opportunity to singers in every section of the choir to carry the main theme. This work was created to address the need for liturgical music that does not take much time from the service and still can feature the beauty and the poetry of these sacred texts. The entire Mass can be performed in approximately 6:00 minutes.

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I composed Eternal Spirit, Free Us in West New York, NJ in November of 2017. This piece was commissioned by the Choir of St. Michael’s Episcopal Church in New York City. It was premiered in January 24th of 2018 by the soloists of St. Michael’s during the Compline service that takes place every Wednesday evenings during the liturgical year. This piece is based on the Lord's Prayer text from the New Zealand Book of Common Prayer.

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In the peaceful darkness of this nightUnder the evening sky and all the stars I can seeFacing Your altar and longing for your lightI say a prayer to TheeGuide me through the darkness of my soulGive me the courage to face my dark sideTeach me the kindness to forgive myselfHelp me wipe the tears I once criedIn the peaceful darkness of this nightI say a prayer to TheeI am grateful for one more day in this WorldFor the faith and goodness that always surviveI am grateful for Your unconditional loveAnd for the blessing of being aliveAmen

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I composed Self-Awareness Missa Brevis in New York City in 2013. This piece sets the invariable portions of the Eucharistic liturgy (principally that of the Catholic Church, the Anglican Communion, and Lutheranism) to choral music. This “short mass” can be performed separately or in its entirety. The a cappella choral texture is mostly homophonic, and the modulations try to embellish the meaning of the words. The dynamics define the phrasing and give the whole shape of each movement.

I composed Magnificat in West New York, NJ in June of 2019. This piece was commissioned by the Choir of St. Michael’s Episcopal Church in New York City.

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I composed Day is dying in the West in West New York, NJ in August of 2019.This piece is a SATB (with divisi) setting of two stanzas taken from the poem “Day is dying in the west" written by MARY A. LATHBURY (1978). It is a 3 minutes piece featuring an evening prayer. It was premiered by the soloist of St. Michael’s Episcopal Church in New York City on January 22nd of 2020.

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I composed Angele Dei in West New York, NJ in June of 2019.This piece is a SATB setting of a medieval latin prayer. It is a 2 minutes piece that may bring piece and beauty to whoever performs it and listens to it. There are lots of independent movements in each vocal part. In this piece, I have tried to give each part easy melodic lines and at the same time, make the text as clear as possible.

The Reproaches was composed in West New York, NJ in 2019. Also known as the Improperia, the Reproaches are a series of antiphons and responses, expressing the remonstrance of Jesus Christ with his people. They are sung In the Catholic liturgy as part of the observance of the Passion, usually on the afternoon of Good Friday. The piece was commissioned by St. Michael’s Episcopal Church. The piece was premiered by the soloists of St. Michael’s Episcopal Church in New York City on April 19th of 2019 at the Good Friday service.

I composed He sends his rain in West New York, NJ in July of 2019. This piece is a SATB setting of a biblical text found in the book of Matthew chapter 5 verses 44 and 45. The melody is featured primarily on the Soprano line with the other 3 parts giving harmonic support.

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I composed Set me as a Seal in New York City in 2015. This piece was commissioned by The St. Michael’s Choir of St. Michael’s Episcopal Church in New York City for their 2015 choir tour to France. This piece was premiered in July 7th of 2015 at Basilique Cathédrale Sainte-Croix d’Orléans, Orleans, France. The choral texture is mostly homophonic with moments of word painting at section B. Also, the unison parts underline the main theme.