I’m excited to announce that DAVID’S KYRIE for a cappella chorus was selected in April, 2025 as a National Finalist in The American Prize in Composition in the shorter choral works (professional division) category for 2025. Thank you, American Prize and judges, for this recognition.
David’s Kyrie is a setting of selected verses from Psalm 51 for advanced a cappella chorus mixing ancient and modern forms and sonorities to depict the contrition, repentance, absolution, and salvation portrayed in the psalm, juxtaposing medieval chant with Whitacre-esque clusters and dissonances. In structure, David’s Kyrie roughly follows the Kyrie of the Christian mass and even borrows a melodic line from a medieval Kyrie.
Here’s a bit about the American Prize purpose:
“…in cities large and small all across the United States,
great art is being made–in schools and churches, in colleges and universities,
and by community and professional musicians, actors and composers.
The media does not always tell us about these artists, but they are there,
entertaining audiences, educating young people, and contributing
to the quality of life in the communities they serve.
It is time their work was recognized.
That is the reason for The American Prize…”
—Preamble to Creating the American Prize, (2009)
Preview the score, listen to, and purchase sheet music for David’s Kyrie here.