Friday, June 10th, 2011 11:20 AM EDT
JENNIFER LARMORE COMMISSION
Eyerly is currently fulfilling a commission for American mezzo-soprano, Jennifer Larmore: a song cycle for mezzo and string quintet (to be performed by the Paris-based ensemble OpusFive). The texts consist of poetry by different authors about animals - a shared passion of Eyerly and Larmore - from tender verse like Browning's To Flush, My Dog to funny poems like Ciardi's The Truth About Sharks. Premiere 2011-12 season.
Friday, June 10th, 2011 11:16 AM EDT
DAVID PITTSINGER COMMISSION: ARLINGTON SONS
Broadway and Metropolitan Opera star David Pittsinger has commissioned Eyerly to write and compose a unique work for baritone, boy soprano and piano. The 12-minute piece, titled Arlington Sons, depicts a father and son visiting Arlington Cemetery in Virginia, to watch the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknowns. By turns poignant and humorous, the work was conceived specifically for the real-life father-son duo of David and Richard Pittsinger. It is believed to be the first vocal piece written for a father and son. Adding resonance to the themes of fatherhood, "sonhood" and patriotism, David's own father was a guard at the Tomb of the Unknowns. Arlington Sons will receive its premiere in Washington, CD in September, to be followed by performances in symphonic concert settings across the country.
Sunday, March 14th, 2010 7:00 AM EDT
SPIRES
On February 12, 2010, Eyerly's newest choral composition Spires was performed in Philadelphia on a featured concert of the American Choral Directors Association conference. John Scott conducted the Saint Thomas Choir of Men and Boys at this event attended by choirmasters from across the country. Spires, a 20-minute work for full choir and organ, was commissioned by Saint Thomas Church Fifth Avenue for John Scott and the Choir, who also presented the world premiere in New York.
A musical celebration of churches - the first work of its kind - Spires gathers Biblical, American and British poetry from the Psalms to the present, including such poets as Longfellow, Herbert, R.S. Thomas and C. Rossetti. The composition is broken up into nine sections, each a setting of a different poet who views the church from a unique angle.
Excerpts from Spires may be heard on this website, under "Works" and "Choral."
CHAMBER MUSIC MAGAZINE
The March/April 2010 issue of Chamber Music magazine features Eyerly's wind and piano sextet "The Palm at the End." Several pages of the score are printed alongside an interview with the composer. Chamber Music magazine is published by Chamber Music America, which commissioned the sextet, a work Eyerly calls "one of my four best pieces, measure for measure."
"The Palm at the End" may be heard on this website, under "Works" and "Chamber."
OTHER NEWS
Eyerly has joined the Juilliard Faculty, College Division, where he teaches a new theory course, specially designed for singers. No longer a vampire, Eyerly may now be seen at Juilliard during daylight hours, as well as at night, when he continues to teach popular courses for adults in the Evening Division.
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Psalm 71, a 7-minute a cappella motet for choir SATB, was performed on Palm Sunday 2010 at Christ Church, Cincinnati, by its choir under the direction of Charles Hogan. Christ Church commissioned Psalm 71 and presented the world premiere in February 2008. The Psalm text is not well known. Eyerly chose it when, during a period of duress, he resorted to the old "folk" habit of opening a Bible to a random spot and reading what it said for guidance. He landed on Psalm 71 and was heartened by its first words: "In thee, O Lord, will I put my trust."
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Eyerly's Met Opera "Live in HD" lectures for the Mahaiwe Theater in the Berkshires have relocated to a larger space: the Mahaiwe Theater itself. From modest beginnings, the lecture series has drawn a steadily growing audience, moving from a restaurant, to a church, and now to the lovely restored theater. Eyerly recently completed his fourth season of the lectures (and his second in the Mahaiwe space). For more information please go to the LECTURES page, or visit the Mahaiwe Theater website at www.mahaiwe.org.
*
In March 2009, the Mahaiwe Theater in Great Barrington, MA, invited Eyerly to join its Artistic Council. As guest lecturer, Eyerly has introduced the Metropolitan Opera "Live in HD" on Saturdays for the Mahaiwe since 2007. He is honored to join the Council.
*
In April 2009, the San Francisco-based new music group Ensemble Parallèle invited Eyerly to join its Advisory Board. Directed by Nicole Paiement, the Ensemble is an important force in new music throughout the Bay Area and beyond. Eyerly is honored to join the Board.
A musical celebration of churches - the first work of its kind - Spires gathers Biblical, American and British poetry from the Psalms to the present, including such poets as Longfellow, Herbert, R.S. Thomas and C. Rossetti. The composition is broken up into nine sections, each a setting of a different poet who views the church from a unique angle.
Excerpts from Spires may be heard on this website, under "Works" and "Choral."
CHAMBER MUSIC MAGAZINE
The March/April 2010 issue of Chamber Music magazine features Eyerly's wind and piano sextet "The Palm at the End." Several pages of the score are printed alongside an interview with the composer. Chamber Music magazine is published by Chamber Music America, which commissioned the sextet, a work Eyerly calls "one of my four best pieces, measure for measure."
"The Palm at the End" may be heard on this website, under "Works" and "Chamber."
OTHER NEWS
Eyerly has joined the Juilliard Faculty, College Division, where he teaches a new theory course, specially designed for singers. No longer a vampire, Eyerly may now be seen at Juilliard during daylight hours, as well as at night, when he continues to teach popular courses for adults in the Evening Division.
*
Psalm 71, a 7-minute a cappella motet for choir SATB, was performed on Palm Sunday 2010 at Christ Church, Cincinnati, by its choir under the direction of Charles Hogan. Christ Church commissioned Psalm 71 and presented the world premiere in February 2008. The Psalm text is not well known. Eyerly chose it when, during a period of duress, he resorted to the old "folk" habit of opening a Bible to a random spot and reading what it said for guidance. He landed on Psalm 71 and was heartened by its first words: "In thee, O Lord, will I put my trust."
*
Eyerly's Met Opera "Live in HD" lectures for the Mahaiwe Theater in the Berkshires have relocated to a larger space: the Mahaiwe Theater itself. From modest beginnings, the lecture series has drawn a steadily growing audience, moving from a restaurant, to a church, and now to the lovely restored theater. Eyerly recently completed his fourth season of the lectures (and his second in the Mahaiwe space). For more information please go to the LECTURES page, or visit the Mahaiwe Theater website at www.mahaiwe.org.
*
In March 2009, the Mahaiwe Theater in Great Barrington, MA, invited Eyerly to join its Artistic Council. As guest lecturer, Eyerly has introduced the Metropolitan Opera "Live in HD" on Saturdays for the Mahaiwe since 2007. He is honored to join the Council.
*
In April 2009, the San Francisco-based new music group Ensemble Parallèle invited Eyerly to join its Advisory Board. Directed by Nicole Paiement, the Ensemble is an important force in new music throughout the Bay Area and beyond. Eyerly is honored to join the Board.