Choral Music — Michael Minard

During the pandemic, we were able to keep choral music alive: ANGELICA WOMEN’S CHAMBER CHOIR, Marie Caruso, Artistic Director performed “Once, I Knew a Fine Song,” my setting of Stephen Crane’s poem.

From 2017-19, I was Composer-in-Residence for Charis Chamber Voices, under the direction of Art Sjögren, conductor.

I c0mposed a setting of Gerard Manley Hopkins’ “Pied Beauty” for Charis Chamber Voices

I composed this setting of Franz Xaver Gruber's iconic Christmas carol for Charis Chamber Voices and Baroque orchestra, under the baton of Art Sjögren. The video is interactive - if you listen to the first verse in German, the subtitles will cue you for the subsequent verses in English. Enjoy!

During my residency, I had the opportunity to write settings of British and America poets, including Emily Dickinson.

My setting of the Emily Dickinson poem for mixed a cappella chorus, performed by Charis Chamber Voices, Arthur Sjögren, conductor. Recorded live at Bedford Presbyterian Church, May 6, 2017.

A Christmas piece for mixed chorus, English horn and organ, based on a poem by Thomas Hardy. Commissioned by Pro Arte Singers of Connecticut, Arthur Sjögren, conductor, Olav Van Hezewijk, English horn. Recorded live at First Presbyterian Church of New Canaan, December 9, 2017.

A setting of e.e. cummings' beloved Christmas poem [little tree], for full chorus and harp. Performed by Charis Chamber Singers, Arthur Sjögren, conductor, Kristi Shade, harp. Recorded December 2, 2018 at Bedford Presbyterian Church, Bedford, NY. Michael Minard, Composer

An original a cappella fanfare commissioned by Charis Chamber Voices, Arthur Sjögren, conductor. Text and music by Michael Minard. Recorded live at First Presbyterian Church of New Canaan, May 13, 2018.

A setting of the Emily Dickinson poem for mixed a cappella chorus, performed by Charis Chamber Voices, Arthur Sjögren, conductor. Composed by Michael Minard. Recorded live at Bedford Presbyterian Church, May 6, 2017.

During the pandemic, when it was not safe to band together in a chorus, the Flanagan family premiered “Somewhere a Star is Shining,” my Christmas song for SST voices and original text, accompanied by piano. Lisa and Terence Duncan Flanagan, sopranos; Terence J. Flanagan, tenor and piano.

A setting of Isaiah 52:7 for full chorus, organ and string orchestra; performed by The St. Mark’s Chorale and Orchestra, Arthur Sjögren, conductor. Recorded live December 14, 2018 at the St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, New Canaan, Ct., by Candlewood Digital, Richard Price, engineer.

A Christmas piece for mixed choir and harp, composed, and with an original text, by Michael Minard. Commissioned by Charis Chamber Voices, Arthur Sjögren, conductor, Rita Costanzi, pedal harp. Recorded live, December 3, 2017, Bedford Presbyterian Church.