Uncovering Stories Through Music
Writing choral music lets me reveal the whole story, the subtext, behind the words.
Choral music allows us to simultaneously be ourselves while being a part of a colorful community of story tellers — a community whose story isn’t complete without yours.
Whimsical Inspirations
My favorite movie is The Wizard of Oz. I grew up in Emporia, KS, and not much happens in Kansas — let alone Emporia). But every spring, The Wizard of Oz would come on TV, and I thought it was our time to shine, even if it was about a horrible tornado that knocks an innocent girl unconscious.
However, I never really felt like Kansas was my home, at least not in the way that a home is where people see you and welcome you no matter what, and where they love you for who you are.
Ironically, the portions of the movie about Kansas are filmed in black and white. That was Emporia, KS. Everything was black and white — no room for the gray, let alone color.
Yes, at times, it would have been nice to meet a musical scarecrow or a dimpled-cheek tin man instead of those so steeped in what pastors told them Christianity was, that they couldn’t see how to act like Christ himself.
I found my color" in music!
Music became my only love for so long.
Music would hold you when you needed comfort, it could make you dance when joy overwhelmed you, and music could allow you to be who others didn’t want you to be.
Experience
For me, the music is driven by the text.
I received my bachelor’s degree in voice at Emporia State University, and my master’s degree in voice with a choral cognate from Miami University, where I studied with Ethan Sperry. I received my DMA in choral conducting from the University of South Carolina, where I studied with Dr. Larry Wyatt and Dr. Alicia Walker. My research focus is the inclusion and pedagogy of transgender singers in the choral rehearsal.
Until moving to the Twin Cities, I was the artistic director for the One Voice Chorus (Charlotte’s LGBTQ+ chorus) and the chamber ensemble, Sotto Voce. In 2015, I collaborated in the founding of Midlands Men’s Chorus: The Gay Men’s Chorus of Columbia, SC and served as its artistic director until 2018. I moved to St. Paul in 2018 with my husband Ervin, and dog Blue. Since then, I’ve served as the artistic director for the Twin Cities Gay Men’s Chorus as well as choir director for White Bear Lake United Methodist Church.
And of course, I also compose. My works have been a finalists for the American Prize in Choral Composition numerous times, and I’ve been commissioned to write choral works for the following organizations: One Voice Charlotte, The Gay Men’s Chorus of Charlotte, Providence United Methodist Church (Charlotte, NC), The New Jersey Gay Men’s Chorus, The Gay Men’s Chorus of San Diego, The Women’s Chorus of San Diego, The Richmond Men’s Chorus (VA), Turtle Creek Chorale (TX), Sine Nomine (Denver, CO), Portland State University choirs, and the University of South Carolina Women’s Chorus. In addition to self-publishing, my works can be found published in the “Pride and No Prejudice” series with earthsongs Choral Music and with ECS/Galaxy.
Outside of the musical life, I enjoy hiking, kayaking, lifting weights, and watching Law and order SVU (I’ve literally seen every episode at least 5 times or more). Duhn Duhn!
“Hey Gerald, Is the glass half-full or half-empty?”
Me: I’m a half-full guy, but either way, it’s a glass and can be refilled.
We can't forget Blue!
Blue is a husky-shepherd mix and is 9 years old.
Yes, he is spoiled (obviously).
His hobbies include daily naps, begging for food (successfully), and chasing squirrels.
Can he do the husky-talk thing? Yes, and he uses it to make company think he’s neglected and treat-deprived.
