Works
Concert Works
Premiere of BLACK BOTTOM, Detroit Symphony Orchestra, conductor, Thomas Wilkins
Opera, Oratorio, and Theatrical Works
Dear Olly (2027)
40'
Duration:
Children's Opera
Description:
Opera North (UK)
Music by Nkeiru Okoye; libretto by Lee Bynum; based on the book by Michael Morpurgo
Description:
Description:
Soprano, tenor, baritone, and chamber orchestra
Description:
A Time for Jubilee (2026)
25'
Duration:
Oratorio commemorating the Selma to Montgomery March
Description:
Montgomery Symphony Orchestra
Music and libretto by Nkeiru Okoye
Description:
Description:
Solo soprano, choir, and orchestra
Description:
When the Caged Bird Sings (2024)
75'
Duration:
Musical Ceremony
Description:
University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance
Music and text by Nkeiru Okoye
Description:
Description:
Soprano, mezzo-soprano, tenor, theatrical baritone, 10-12 singing actors, mass choir, and orchestra
Description:
Briar Patch (2022)
25'
Duration:
Chamber Opera
Description:
The Virginia Arts Festival
Music by Nkeiru Okoye; libretto by Carmen Moore
Description:
Description:
Two sopranos, mezzo-soprano, tenor, and baritone
Description:
600 Square Feet. (2021)
12'
Duration:
Comic Romantic Micro-Opera
Description:
Baldwin Wallace Conservatory
Music by Nkeiru Okoye; libretto by David Cote
Description:
Description:
Soprano, baritone, and chamber orchestra
Description:
Home of My Ancestors. (2017)
90-110'
Duration:
Juneteenth-Themed Chamber Opera
Description:
Houston Grand Opera
Music by Nkeiru Okoye; libretto by Anita Gonzalez
Description:
Description:
Six principal voices; SATB chorus (minimum six singers); orchestra
Description:
We've Got Our Eye on You. (2015)
50'
Duration:
One-Act Operetta
Description:
Written for the SUNY New Paltz Voice Studio
Music by Nkeiru Okoye; libretto by David Cote
Description:
Description:
Five principals, chorus, and orchestra
Description:
Harriet Tubman: When I Crossed That Line to Freedom. (2014)
110' with intermission
Duration:
Folk Opera in Two Acts
Description:
American Opera Projects
Music and libretto by Nkeiru Okoye
Description:
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Ten principal roles, chorus, and orchestra
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Large Ensemble Works
Evident Truths (2026)
Description:
7.5'
Description:
Concert work for rapper, vocal trio & wind ensemble
The United States Army Field Band
Description:
Commissioner:
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
2026
And the People Celebrated (2025)
Description:
8'
Description:
Commemoration of the Obama Presidency for narrator & orchestra
BBC Concert Orchestra for BBC Radio 3
Description:
Commissioner:
Narr; picc.2.2.2+bcl.2-4.3.2.1; timp, 3 perc; hp; str
2025
Passing by the River (2024)
Description:
4'
Description:
Orchestral Hymn
Louisville Orchestra Creator Corps
Description:
Commissioner:
picc.2.2.2.2-4.3.1.1; timp, 2 perc; str
2024
When the Caged Bird Sings (2024)
Description:
75'
Description:
A Musical Ceremony
University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance
Description:
Commissioner:
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
2024
Voices Shouting Out (Wind Ensemble Version 2023)
Description:
5'
Description:
Celebratory concert work
Consortium led by the University of North Carolina at Greensboro Band
Description:
Commissioner:
picc.2fl.2ob.2cl.bcl.2bsn; 2asax.tsax.bsax; 3tpt.4hn.2tbn.euph.tub; timp, 3 perc; (opt. hp)
2023
Briar Patch (2022)
Description:
25'
Description:
A Sung Story
Virginia Festival for the Arts
Description:
Commissioner:
S, S, Mz, T, BBar; fl.cl.tbn.perc; str
2022
Grayce & Sickle (2021)
Description:
5'
Description:
Wind Ensemble Work
South Shore Conservatory
Description:
Commissioner:
picc.2fl.ob.cl.bcl.asax.tsax.bsax.bsn; hn.2tpt.tbn.euph (or btrbn).tub; 2-3 perc
2021
Black Bottom (2020)
Description:
25'
Description:
Orchestral Portrait in Nine Movements
Detroit Symphony Orchestra
Description:
Commissioner:
S, A, T, BBar; picc.2.1+eh.2+bcl.2-4.3.1+btrbn.1; timp, 3 perc; e. bass; str
2020
Charlotte Mecklenburg (2018)
Description:
12'
Description:
Symphonic Tone Poem
Charlotte Symphony Orchestra
Description:
Commissioner:
picc.2.2+eh.2+bcl.2-4.3.2.1; timp, 3 perc; hp; str. Chamber version available.
2018
Invitation to a Die-In (2017)
Description:
12'
Description:
Monodrama for Baritone & Orchestra
Mount Holyoke College
Description:
Commissioner:
Bar; picc.2.1+eh.1+bcl.1-4.2.1.1; timp, 3 perc; str
2017
Portrait of a Dreamer Suite (2013)
Description:
8'
Description:
Suite for String Orchestra
Upperman African American Center, UNC Wilmington
Description:
Commissioner:
str orch
2013
Songs of Harriet Tubman (2011)
Description:
25'
Description:
Song cycle for soprano based on arias from Okoye's Harriet Tubman opera
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Description:
Commissioner:
2 (2/picc).1 (eh).2 (2/bcl).1 - 4.2.1.1.1 - timp, 3 perc, pno - str
2011
Phillis Wheatley: A Musical Journey (2005, rev. 2023)
Description:
12'
Description:
Narrated Orchestral Showcase
Boston Landmarks Orchestra
Description:
Commissioner:
Narr; fl.ob.cl.bsn-2hn.tpt.tbn; timp, 3 perc (incl. African perc); str
2005, rev. 2023
Voices Shouting Out (2002)
Description:
5'
Description:
Concert Work
Virginia Symphony Orchestra
Description:
Commissioner:
picc.2.2.2+bcl.2-4.3.1+btrbn.1; timp, 3 perc; hp; str
2002
Chamber & Solo Works
Members of the Louisville Orchestra perform MOVEMENTS FOR STRING QUARTET at a Cocktails, Cookies and the Composer recital
African Sketches.
For solo piano. 2003-04 • Recording
Angels at Night
for Trombone quartet., also String quartet. 2025. • Live performance
Breaking Bread
For solo viola. 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 Quartete. 2025. Video
Meanderings
No. 1: When Young Spring comes. Solo piano. Commissioned by pianist Lara Downes. 2021. Recording
Movements for String Quartet.
Premiered by Detroit Symphony Orchestra String Quartet. 2020. Recording
Choral Works
University of Michigan Choirs with EXIGENCE vocal ensemble performing WHEN THE CAGED BIRD SINGS
"The Beatitudes from WHEN THE CAGED BIRD SINGS (2024)
SATB CHOIR with optional soprano solo. Commissioned by the University of Michigan Orchestras. Coming Soon. Also for SATB choir and strings. 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
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.
Songs of Harriet Tubman.
Song cycle for soprano and piano or orchestra. 2011 • Video • Notes
Twenty-Eight Bathers.
Lyrics by Walt Whitman.
Commissioned by Lyric Fest. 2019 • Recording
We Met at the Symphony.
Song cycle for soprano and string quartet.
Commissioned by The Harlem Chamber Players. 2022 • Video • Notes