Briar Patch, from TALES FROM THE BRIAR PATCH
2017 | Comic opera. 25 minutes
Themes: African American folklore, African storytelling, Bre'r Rabbit
Invitation to a Die-In
2017 | Monodrama for Baritone and orchestra. 12 min.
Themes: Community Dialogue, Police Shootings, Trayvon Martin
A Truth Before Their Eyes
TBD | Story inspired by current events.
Harriet Tubman: When I Crossed that Line to Freedom
2013 | Grand opera. 110 minutes.
Themes: Harriet Tubman, African American History. Underground Railroad
We Met at the Symphony
At the Grande
2025 | Comic opera in two acts.
TBD approx 90-120 minutes
Themes: Romantic comedy, Marriage of Figaro, corporate caper, political satire
In progress. More Information
Home of my Ancestors
TBD | 50 minutes
Themes: Juneteenth, African American History
In development
We've Got Our Eye On You
Orchestra and Wind Ensemble
Black Bottom (2020)
Full orchestra with four vocal soloists
25 minutes
Instrumentation: Soli Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Bass-baritone; and 2 Flutes, Piccolo, Oboe, English Horn, 2 Clarinets in B♭, Bass Clarinet in B♭, 2 Bassoons, 4 Horns in F, 3 Trumpets in C, 1 Tenor Trombone, 1 Bass Trombone, Tuba, Timpani, 3 Percussion, Electric bass, Strings.
Briar Patch (2020) – A sung story
25 minutes
Chamber orchestra with soloists.
Instrumentation*: Soli Soprano, Soprano 2, Mezzo-Soprano, Tenor, and Bass-Baritone; and Flute, Clarinet in B♭, Trombone, Percussion and strings.
*Full orchestra version anticipated.
Charlotte Mecklenburg (2018)
Full Orchestra (2018), also score for reduced orchestra (2020)
12 minutes
Instrumentation - Score: Flute 1 (Piccolo), Flute 2, Oboe 1, Oboe 2 (English Horn), 2 Clarinets in B♭, Bass Clarinet in B♭, Bassoon, 4 Horns in F, 3 Trumpets in B♭, 2 Trombones, Tuba, Timpani, 3 Percussion, Harp, Strings
Instrumentation – Reduced score: Flute 1, Flute 2 (Piccolo), Oboe 1, Oboe 2 (English Horn), 2 Clarinets in B♭ (Bass Clarinet in B♭), 2 Bassoons, 2 Horns in F, 2 Trumpets in B♭, Timpani (opt Shaker), Percussion, Strings
Grayce & Sickle (2021)
Wind Ensemble
5 minutes
Instrumentation: 2 Flutes (2 Doubling Piccolo), 1 Oboe, 1 Clarinet in B♭, 1 Bass Clarinet in B♭, 1 Alto Saxophone, 1 Tenor Saxophone, 1 Baritone Saxophone, 1 Bassoon, 1 Horn in F, 2 Trumpets in B♭, 1 Tenor Trombone, 1 Euphoneum / Bass Trombone, Tuba, Percussion (2 or 3 players) [Drum Set, Orchestral Bells, Marimba]
Invitation to a Die-In (2017)
Orchestra with Theatrical Baritone
12 minutes
Instrumentation: Baritone and: 2 flutes (1 doubling piccolo), Oboe, English Horn, Clarinet in B♭, Bass Clarinet, Bassoon, 4 Horns in F; 2 Trumpets in B♭, Trombone, Tuba (or bass trombone), Timpani, 3 percussion, Strings
The Journey of Phillis Wheatley (2005)
Narrated Orchestral Showcase in the style of Peter and the Wolf
23 minutes
Instrumentation: Narrator; and 1 Flute, 1 Oboe, 1 Clarinet in B♭, 1 Bassoon, 2 Horns in F, 1 Trumpet in B♭, 1 Tenor Trombone, Timpani, 3 Percussion, African Percussion, Strings
Songs of Harriet Tubman (2006)
Orchestral song cycle, also scored for soprano, piano and strings.
25 minutes, each aria is 5-7 minutes
Instrumentation: Soprano and, 2 Flutes (2nd doubling Piccolo), 1 Oboe (doubling English Horn), 2 Clarinets in B♭ (2nd doubling Bass Clarinet), 1 Bassoon, 4 Horns in F, 2 Trumpets in B♭, 1 Tenor trombone, 1 Bass trombone, 1 Tuba , Timpani, 3 Percussion, Piano, Strings.
Voices Shouting Out (2002)
Full Orchestra. 5 minutes
Instrumentation: Piccolo, 2 Flutes, 2 Oboes, 2 Clarinets in B♭, Bass Clarinet in B♭, 2 Bassoons, 4 Horns in F, 3 Trumpets in C, 1 Tenor Trombone, 1 Bass Trombone, Tuba, Timpani, 3 Percussion, Harp, Strings
Chamber and solo works
African Sketches. For solo piano. 2003-04 • 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
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
Song Cycles and Songs
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
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
Choral music
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. Commissioned by the New Brunswick Chamber Orchestra. 2021. Video
Kyrie. SATB choir and piano. 2004
Program Notes
Clink links for Program notes, instrumentation, and work information
600 Square Feet - Micro Opera
Black Bottom - For Orchestra and soloists
Charlotte Mecklenburg - For Orchestra
HARRIET TUBMAN: When I Crossed that Line to Freedom - Opera
Invitation to a Die-In - for Baritone and Orchestra
Movements for String Quartet
The Journey of Phillis Wheately - Narrated Orchestral Showcase
Songs of Harriet Tubman - Song Cycle
Tales From the Briar Patch - A tryptic of sung stories
Voices Shouting Out - Orchestral
We've Got Our Eye on You - Chamber Opera