Works
Nkeiru Okoye's works are published by Theodore Presser. Click here to purchase, rent, or license her works.
Concert Works
Premiere of BLACK BOTTOM, Detroit Symphony Orchestra, conductor, Thomas Wilkins
Large Ensemble Works
Evident Truths
2026 | 7.5 min
Commissioned by The United States Army Field Band
Description: Concert work for rapper, vocal trio & wind ensemble
Instrumentation: Rapper, SSA vocal trio; picc.2fl.2ob.3cl.bcl.2bsn; ssax (dbl. bsax).2asax.tsax; 3tpt.4hn.2tbn.btrbn.2euph.2tub; amp. db; timp, 4-5 perc, drum set
Explore the work
And the People Celebrated
2025 | 8 min
Commissioned by BBC Concert Orchestra for BBC Radio 3
Description: Commemoration of the Obama Presidency for narrator & orchestra
Instrumentation: Narr; picc.2.2.2+bcl.2-4.3.2.1; timp, 3 perc; hp; str
Passing by the River
2024 | 4 min
Commissioned by Louisville Orchestra
Description: Orchestral Hymn
Instrumentation: picc.2.2.2.2-4.3.1.1; timp, 2 perc; str
When the Caged Bird Sings
2024 | 85 min
Commissioned by the University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance
Description: A Musical Ceremony
Instrumentation: Narr, S, Mz (jazz vocalist), T, BBar; jazz/gospel pianist; SATB chamber choir, SATB mass choir; picc.2.1+eh.2+bcl.2-4.3.1+btrbn.1; piano, timp, 3 perc; e. bass; str
Voices Shouting Out
2002 | 5 min
Commissioned by Virginia Symphony Orchestra;
Description: 9/11-inspired celebration of the American spirit
Instrumentation: picc.2.2.2+bcl.2-4.3.1+btrbn.1; timp, 3 perc; hp; str
Wind Ensemble version 2023
Commissioned by a consortium led by the University of North Carolina at Greensboro Bands
Wind Instrumentation: picc.2fl.2ob.2cl.bcl.2bsn; 2asax.tsax.bsax; 3tpt.4hn.2tbn.euph.tub; timp, 3 perc; (opt. hp)
Watch the orchestra version → | Watch the wind ensemble version→
Briar Patch
2022 | 25 min
Libretto by Carman Moore
Commissioned by Virginia Festival for the Arts
Description: A Sung Story (can be staged or unstaged)
Chamber Orchestra Instrumentation: S, S, Mz, T, BBar; fl.cl.tbn.perc; str
Grayce & Sickle
2021 | 5 min
Commissioned by South Shore Conservatory
Description: Wind Ensemble
Instrumentation: picc.2fl.ob.cl.bcl.asax.tsax.bsax.bsn; hn.2tpt.tbn.euph (or btrbn).tub; 2-3 perc
Black Bottom
2020 | 25 min
Commissioned by Detroit Symphony Orchestra, in celebration of Symphony Hall Centennial
Description: Orchestral Portrait in Nine Movements
Instrumentation: S, A, T, BBar; picc.2.1+eh.2+bcl.2-4.3.1+btrbn.1; timp, 3 perc; e. bass; str
Charlotte Mecklenburg
2018 | 12 min
Commissioned by Charlotte Symphony Orchestra
Description: Symphonic Tone Poem
Instrumentation: picc.2.2+eh.2+bcl.2-4.3.2.1; timp, 3 perc; hp; str.; chamber version available
Invitation to a Die-in
2017 | 12 min
Commissioned by Mount Holyoke College in memory of Trayvon Martin
Description: Monodrama for Baritone & Orchestra
Instrumentation: picc.2.2+eh.2+bcl.2-4.3.2.1; timp, 3 perc; hp; str.; chamber version available
Portrait of a Dreamer Suite
2013 | 8 min
Commissioned by Upperman African American Center, UNC Wilmington
Description: Suite for String Orchestra
Instrumentation: str orch
Songs of Harriet Tubman
2011 | 25 min
Commissioned by American Opera Projects
Description: Stand along song cycle from Okoye's opera, Harriet Tubman
Instrumentation: 2 (2/picc).1 (eh).2 (2/bcl).1 - 4.2.1.1.1 - timp, 3 perc, pno - str; Chamber orchestra scoring available
Phillis Wheatley: A Musical Journey
2005, rev. 2023 | 20 min
Commissioned by Boston Landmarks Orchestra
Description: Narrated Orchestral Showcase in the style of Peter & the Wolf
Instrumentation: Narr; fl.ob.cl.bsn-2hn.tpt.tbn; timp, 3 perc (incl. African perc); str
Chamber & Solo Works
Members of the Louisville Orchestra perform MOVEMENTS FOR STRING QUARTET at a Cocktails, Cookies and the Composer recital
African Sketches
2003-04, 2016
For solo piano.
Angels at Night
2025.
for Trombone quartet., also String quartet
Breaking Bread
For solo viola or solo cello. 2022 • Recording
Drums Talking.
Solo piano. Commissioned by Blair MacMillan . 2016
Euba’s Dance.
Etude for unaccompanied Solo cello. Commissioned by Matt Haimovitz. 2021. Recording
King Fallen.
For string trio. 2013
Lusitano in Vicentino's Country
String Quartet. 2025. Video
Meanderings
No. 1: When Young Spring comes. Solo piano. Commissioned by pianist Lara Downes. 2021. Recording
Movements for String Quartet
2020.
Premiered by Detroit Symphony Orchestra String Quartet.
We Met at the Symphony
Song cycle for soprano and string quartet.
Commissioned by The Harlem Chamber Players. 2022 • Notes
Choral Works
University of Michigan Choirs with EXIGENCE vocal ensemble performing WHEN THE CAGED BIRD SINGS
"The Beatitudes"
from When the Caged Bird Sings
SATB CHOIR with optional soprano solo.
Commissioned by the University of Michigan Orchestras. 2024. Video
Clap Your Hands
TTBB choir and strings. Commissioned by the New Brunswick Chamber Orchestra. Also for SATB choir and strings. 2011
Inside is what remains
SATB, with soprano solo. Arrangement Commissioned by Adrienne Danrich, Music as a Message. 2021. Video
Kyrie
SATB choir and piano. 2004
Song cycles, Arias, & Songs
Tenor Issachah Savage sings "A Kiss on the Forehead" at Tulsa Opera's GREENWOOD OVERCOMES
We Met at the Symphony
Song cycle for soprano and string quartet.
Commissioned by The Harlem Chamber Players. 2022 • Notes
1861
Unaccompanied song for tenor. Commissioned by American Opera Projects and The Walt Whitman Project. 2011 Video.
A kiss on the forehead
Standalone song from Home of my Ancestors. Tenor and piano. Commissioned by Houston Grand Opera. 2018 Video.
Brooklyn Cinderella
Song cycle for voice and piano. Commissioned by American Opera Projects and The Walt Whitman Project. 2011. Digital version • Video.
Inside is what remains.
Standalone song from At the Grande (2025). Soprano, high soprano, or contralto. Commissioned by Tulsa Opera. 2021 • Recording
Love and Longing:
Sung Monologues Inspired by Classic Literature.
(2023) Commissioned by The Juilliard School.
3 songs, each for high and low voices and piano. Live Performance
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"Whatever Our Souls are Made Of" - inspired by Wuthering Heights
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"Mr. Rochester" inspired by Jane Eyre
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"Darcy Proposes" inspired by Pride and Prejudice.
Video.
Songs of Harriet Tubman.
Song cycle for soprano and piano or orchestra. 2011 • Notes
Twenty-Eight Bathers
Lyrics by Walt Whitman.
Commissioned by Lyric Fest. 2019 • Recording