October 2008
» Dan Locklair is the Principal Guest Composer for the 42nd Annual Contemporary Music Festival of Indiana State University. Further information at:
http://www1.indstate.edu/music/cmf/CMF/Welcome.html
March 2008
» The World Premiere of American composer Dan Locklair's Arias and Dances
for harpsichord
- Winston-Salem, North Carolinaon March 7
The World Premiere of American composer Dan Locklair's Arias and Dances for harpsichord will be presented on Friday, March 7 at 8:00 PM at the Visitor Center of Old Salem Village, 900 Old Salem Road in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
This performance will be given as part of the Alienor Premieres concert of the 2008 Alienor Awards International Competition for Contemporary Harpsichord Music. More about the competition at Harpsichord Now.
This concert is free and open to the public. For more information, call 336-721-7300 or visit Old Salem Village.
» Choral Music of Dan Locklair Performed by DePaul University Singers,
Clayton Parr Conducting
- Chicago, Illinois on March 2
Dan Locklair's Break Away! will be presented by the DePaul University Singers, Clayton Parr conducting, as part of their "Going Places -- Music About Travel" concert on Sunday, March 2 at 3:00 PM at DePaul Concert Hall, located at 800 W. Belden in Chicago. Illinois.
Break Away! for SATB and piano was composed in 1983 to a text by Alicia Carpenter. It has been recorded by the Bel Canto Company for Albany Records.
The March 2 program will also include music by Brahms, Schumann, Wolf, Chen Yi, Stephen Chatman, Harry Somers and Eric Whitacre, as well as spiritual arrangements by Moses Hogan and Robert DeCormier.
This concert is free and open to the public. For more information, call 773-325-7260 or visit the DePaul University events page.
February 2008
» Western U.S. Premiere of Dan Locklair Phoenix for Orchestra by Arizona
Musicfest Festival Orchestra, Robert Moody Conducting
- Scottsdale, Arizona on February 19
The western U.S. Premiere performance of American composer Dan Locklair's Phoenix for Orchestra will be presented by the Arizona Musicfest Festival Orchestra, Robert Moody conducting, as part of their Opening Night concert on Tuesday, February 19 at 7:30 pm at Pinnacle Presbyterian Church, 25150 North Pima Road in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Mr. Locklair originally composed the Phoenix Fanfare, a three-minute piece for organ, brass, and timpani. At the request of Maestro Robert Moody, Locklair the composer has transformed the piece into Phoenix for Orchestra especially for this season-opening concert. The work will also be performed later this season by Robert Moody with the Portland (ME) Symphony.
James Jones will perform the composer's original Phoenix Fanfare as part of his Arizona Musicfest organ recital on Sunday, February 17 at 3:00 pm, again at Pinnacle Presbyterian Church in Scottsdale.
December 2007
» Choral Music of Dan Locklair to be Performed by Cantabile Singers
- Boulder, Colorado on December 14 and 15
Dan Locklair's Three Christmas Motets and A Christmas Carol will be performed by The Cantabile Singers, directed by Robert Farr, as part of their O Magnum Mysterium concerts on Friday, December 14 and Saturday, December 15 - 7:30 PM each evening at St Andrew Presbyterian Church, 3700 Baseline Road in Boulder, Colorado.
Three Christmas Motets, for SATB (divisi), a cappella was written in 1993. A Christmas Carol, from a text by Gilbert Chesterton, was written in 1981 for SATB, a cappella.
Other works on the concert include Poulenc's Four Christmas Motets and Vaughan Williams' Fantasia on Christmas Carols.
More about the concert at THe Cantabile Singers website - cantabilesingers.org.
November 2007
» Choral Music of Dan Locklair to be Performed at Heinz Hall
- Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on November 27
Dan Locklair's Gloria will be performed by Jim Dearing conducting the Indiana University of Pennsylvania Chorale as part of a Gala IUP Department of Music concert on Tuesday, November 27 - 8:00 PM at Heinz Hall, 600 Penn Avenue in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Gloria, based on the traditional Latin text, was written in 1998 for SATB, divisi, brass octet and percussion.
This two-hour Heinz Hall event will also feature performances by the IUP Wind Ensemble, String Orchestra, Jazz Ensemble, Opera Theatre, and Marching Band.
More about the concert at UIP's site.
» The Winston-Salem Symphony's premiere performance of Dan Locklair's PHOENIX for Orchestra
-airing nationally on American Public Media's Performance Today on Friday, November 23.
The work was premiered by the WSSO on its season opening concert series, "Fanfare," on September 15, 16, and 18. The recording which will be heard on Performance Today is from the September 18 concert.
Performance Today is broadcast on WDAV, 89.9, from 7 - 9 p.m. weekday evenings. It is also heard on WFDD-2, the HD channel on WFDD, 88.5 between 9 and 11 a.m. weekdays. According to Performance Today, listeners may visit an independent website that can point the way to on-line listening. Many radio stations stream their signal on the internet, so it may be possible to "tune in" to a radio station across the country and hear Performance Today by visiting that station's website at the time they air it. Performance Today is also carried on Sirius Satellite Radio's Symphony Hall Channel (channel 80), Monday through Friday from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. ET. The current day's show is available on the website, www.performancetoday.org, for seven days.
» Choral Music of Dan Locklair to be Performed at InterFaith Concert
- Washington, DC on November 13
Dan Locklair's Remembrance will be performed by J. Reilly Lewis conducting the Massed Choir at the 28th annual InterFaith Concert sponsored by the InterFaith Conference of Metropolitan Washington on Tuesday evening, November 13 - 7:30 PM at the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, 400 Michigan Avenue, NE in Washington, DC.
Remembrance was written in 2006 for SATB chorus a cappella, organ and optional trumpet and is based on text from the Biblical book of Matthew. Vaughan Williams "Let all the world in every corner sing" will also be performed. Visit J. Reilly Lewis at www.bach-cantatas.com/Bio/Lewis-J-Reilly.htm.
More about the November 13 concert at www.ifcmw.org/Default.asp.
October 2007
» Songs of Hope Recital Series Debuts in Brooklyn, New York on October 12
- Other Performances in New York and Washington States in October and
February
The Songs of Hope recital series will make its debut on Friday, October 12 - 8 PM at Grace Church, 254 Hicks Street in Brooklyn Heights, New York. Soprano Janeanne Houston will be joined by organist/pianist Paul Richard Olson and oboist Shannon Spicciati for this very special program, which will be part of Daniel Pearl Music Days.
This concert will feature the World Premiere of the song cycle Cummings' Suite by North Carolina composer Dan Locklair. This newly commissioned work includes the beloved text I thank you God for most this amazing day. Also on the program are works by Carol Sams (New York premiere, and a World Premiere of the soprano, piano, and oboe arrangement - http://www.northwestartists.org/cs.html), the New York premiere of Hilary Tann's cycle Songs of the Cotton Grass for soprano and oboe and songs from Simon Sargon and Lori Laitman. Composers Locklair, Laitman, Tann, and Sams will be at the concert.
This program will repeated on October 13 at The Dee Sarno Theater at The Arts Center, 320 Broadway, Saratoga Springs, New York and on October 14 at Union College, 807 Union Street in Schenectady, New York. The program will also be repeated on February 10, 2008 at Plymouth Congregational Church in Seattle and on February 12, 2008 at Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, Washington.
September 2007
» Chamber Music of Dan Locklair to be Performed in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
- on September 22 and 23
Dan Locklair's Dream Steps, A Dance Suite for Flute, Viola, and Harp will be presented by harpist Frances Duffy, flutist Robin Kani and violist Adrianna Linares as part of their concerts in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania on Saturday, September 22 - 7:30 PM at Peter Hall on the Hurd Campus of Moravian College, 1200 Main Street and on Sunday, September 23 - 3 PM at Baker Hall of the Zoellner Arts Center, Lehigh University, located at 420 East Packer Avenue.
Dream Steps consists of five movements: I. Barcaroles and Recitatives; II. Awakenings; III. Bars of Blues; IV. Ballade in Sarabande and V. Barcaroles. It appears on the Albany CD Dan Locklair: Chamber Works. It is 16 minutes long and is published by Subito Music.
Tickets for the September 22 concert are $15 adults/$10 students, seniors and children under 12. More about this concert at the Moravian College Events Schedule.
Tickets for the September 23 concert are $12 general admission. More about this concert at the Zoellner Arts Center website.
» Read Reviews of Dan Locklair's Naxos CD
- Featuring his Symphony of Seasons; Harp Concerto; Lairs of Soundings; Phoenix and Again; In Memory
- H.H.L
Winston-Salem Journal review
Sequenza21 review
MusicWeb International review - September
MusicWeb International review - November
ClassicalCDReview review
Wake Forest University - Old Gold & Black review
» World Premiere Performances of Dan Locklair Phoenix for Orchestra
- Winston-Salem Symphony, Robert Moody Conducting, on September 15, 16 and 18
The World Premiere performances of American composer Dan Locklair's Phoenix for Orchestra will be presented by the Winston-Salem Symphony, Robert Moody conducting, as part of their "Fanfare" concerts on Saturday, September 15 at 7:30 PM, Sunday, September 16 at 3:00 PM and Tuesday, September 18 at 7:30 PM. All three performances will be given at the Stevens Center of the North Carolina School of the Arts, 405 W. 4th St. in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
Dan Locklair originally composed the Phoenix Fanfare, a three-minute piece for organ, brass, and timpani. At the request of Maestro Robert Moody, Locklair the composer has transformed the piece into Phoenix for Orchestra especially for these season-opening concerts. The work will also be performed later this season by Robert Moody with the Arizona MusicFest Orchestra and the Portland (ME) Symphony.
The September 15 performance will be part of the Symphony's "Kicked-Back Classics" series and the September 16 and 18 will be part of the Classics Series. Other works of these concerts include Weber's Jubel Overture, J. 245, op. 59, Elgar's Cello Concerto in E minor, featuring cellist Zuill Bailey and Tchaikovsky's "1812" Overture.
For more information visit the Winston Salem Symphony's website.
» Dan Locklair Named Naxos Composer of the Week for August 27, 2007
» Naxos Releases CD of Dan Locklair's Symphony of Seasons (Symphony No. 1), Harp Concerto, Lairs of Soundings and Other Orchestral Works
Naxos has released a new CD of the orchestral music of Dan Locklair (Catalogue No: 8.559337) featuring his Symphony of Seasons (Symphony No. 1), Harp Concerto, Lairs of Soundings and other orchestral works, performed by Maestro Kirk Trevor, the Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra, with harpist Jacquelyn Bartlett and soprano Janeanne Houston.
For more information about this release, visit the Naxos catalogue.
June 2007
» Dan Locklair In Memory H.H.L.
- Performance by Missouri Symphony Orchestra, Kirk Trevor Conducting, on June 30
American composer Dan Locklair 'd5s In Memory 'd0 H.H.L. will be presented by the Missouri Symphony Orchestra, Kirk Trevor conducting, on Saturday, June 30 'd0 7:30 PM at the Missouri Theatre Center for the Arts, 203 South 9th Street in Columbia, Missouri.
The work will be performed as part of the orchestra 'd5s Patriotic Pops program, which also features the Symphony No. 2 ( 'd2Romantic 'd3) of Howard Hanson, as well as selections by Richard Rodgers, Victor Herbert, Bernard Hermann, Irving Berlin, John Philip Sousa and others.
The Locklair string orchestra work was written in 2005 in memory of his mother. Maestro Trevor has written this about the piece after recording it with the Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra, "After the first read-through of In Memory 'd0 H.H.L. I realized we had found a worthy successor to the Barber Adagio. Here was a gorgeously crafted Adagio for Strings that had a new voice, but with the same hauntingly lush harmonies and intensity that makes the string orchestra such a beautiful vehicle in the concert hall. After recording it, I was even more convinced that In Memory H.H.L. has a real place in the standard string orchestra literature. As a conductor we are often looking for that five minute adagio to fit into our programming, and now we have a second option to the Barber from a wonderful living American composer." Maestro Trevor 'd5s recording will be released on the Naxos label later this year.
For information, call the Missouri Theatre box office at (573) 875-0600 or visit them online at http://www.motheatre.org/calendar/?show_ID=715.
» Organ Music of Dan Locklair to Be Performed by Peter Sykes
- Dallas, Texas AGO Convention on June 18
Salem Sonata by composer Dan Locklair will be performed in recital by organist Peter Sykes on Monday, June 18 uc0 u150 9 AM at First United Methodist Church, 503 North Central Expressway in Richardson, Texas. This will be presented as part of Mr. Sykes Organ Music is Alive and Well program, as part of the 2007 American Guild of Organists Regional Convention in Dallas.
Salem Sonata was commissioned to celebrate the restoration of the large historic pipe organ built by David Tannenberg of Lititz, Pennsylvania, in 1799-1800 for the Moravian Church of Salem, North Carolina. The organ is now placed in the auditorium (designed especially for it) of the Old Salem Village Visitor Center in Winston-Salem, NC.
Peter Sykes gave the World Premiere of the work in March 2004 and has since performed the work many times and recorded it for Raven CDs. Visit him online at http://www.petersykes.com/.
For more information about this event, please call First United Methodist Church at 972-235-8385 or visit them online.
May 2007
» The Gates of Morning by American composer Dan Locklair will be premiered
by the Mars Hill College Choir
- Friday, May 11 - 4:00 PM at Broyhill
Chapel on the campus of Mars Hill College, 100 Athletic Street in Mars
Hill, NC
The new work, written for SATB chorus, oboe and piano, was commissioned by Mars Hill College in celebration of their Sesquicentennial (1856 uc0 u150 2006) and is being performed as part of their Spring baccalaureate service. The composer has written this about the new work, "As an alumnus of the school, I was honored to accept this commission and especially to set C. Earl Leininger uc0 u146 s poem, A Teacher u146 s Reverie. Dr. Leininger, now retired, was a former professor of mine and served Mars Hill as a Professor of Philosophy and Religion and, later, as Dean of the College. His insightful poem, which is both personal and universal, ponders and queries the valued, yet mysterious, relationship between teacher and student."
For more information about this event, please call Mars Hill College at 1-866-642-4968.
April 2007
» Dan Locklair uc0 u146 s In Memory u150 H.H.L. will be given its World Premiere
concert performance by the Cleveland Institute of Music Orchestra, Kirk
Trevor conducting
- Wednesday, April 4 uc0 u150 8 PM at Kulas Hall of the
Cleveland Institute of Music, 11021 East Boulevard in Cleveland, Ohio
The Locklair string orchestra work was written in 2005 in memory of his mother. Maestro Trevor has written this about the piece after recording it with the Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra, "After the first read-through of In Memory uc0 u150 H.H.L. I realized we had found a worthy successor to the Barber Adagio. Here was a gorgeously crafted Adagio for Strings that had a new voice, but with the same hauntingly lush harmonies and intensity that makes the string orchestra such a beautiful vehicle in the concert hall. After recording it, I was even more convinced that In Memory H.H.L. has a real place in the standard string orchestra literature. As a conductor we are often looking for that five minute adagio to fit into our programming, and now we have a second option to the Barber from a wonderful living American composer." Maestro Trevor uc0 u146 s recording will be released on the Naxos label later this year.
March 2007
» Dan Locklair Commissioned for Virginia Festival of American Voices
uc0 u150 New Work to be Premiered on March, 23, 2007
The Board of Directors of the Virginia Chorale has commissioned composer Dan Locklair to compose uc0 u147 Stirring the Silence u148 , a choral work in honor of Music Director Robert Shoup uc0 u146 s 10th Anniversary Season as part of the Virginia Festival of American Voices, where Mr. Locklair has also been named Festival Resident Composer. Other of his compositions will be featured in festival concerts and he will also participate in panel discussions and workshops.
The Premiere performance of uc0 u147 Stirring the Silence u148 for chorus and strings will be given on Friday, March 23 uc0 u150 8 PM at Regent University Theatre, 1000 Regent University Drive in Virginia Beach, Virginia. The performance will be conducted by Robert Shoup as part of the festival that will feature two-time Grammy award winning conductor and lifelong advocate of American music and prolific arranger of American song Robert Page, the Virginia Symphony, JoAnn Falletta Music Director, the Virginia Symphony Chorus and multiple choirs including the Virginia Chorale, the Virginia Children uc0 u146 s Chorus, the Young Singers Project and the Norfolk State University Choir. The concert, featuring the Premiere performance of uc0 u147 Stirring the Silence u148 , is being produced by the orchestra and will be telecast live in Virginia. Funding is provided, in part by the National Endowment for the Arts as part of their American Masterpieces: Choral Music Initiative.
This concert will be repeated on Sunday, March 25 - 2:30pm at the Ferguson Center for the Arts Concert Hall on the campus of Christopher Newport University, 1 University Place in Newport News, Virginia.
The text for uc0 u147 Stirring the Silence u148 is taken from u147 The Attending u148 , by Fred Chappell, former Poet Laureate of North Carolina. The poem can be read at http://www.ncarts.org/chappell/attending.cfm.
More about the Virginia Festival of American Voices online at http://www.virginiasymphony.org/explore/2007%20pages/amvoices.html and http://www.virginiasymphony.org/explore/2007%20pages/amperformances.html#Voices.
» Dan Locklair Choral Works to Be Performed by Virginia Chorale and Other Ensembles
- Virginia Festival of American Voices on March 17
Several choral works by American composer Dan Locklair will be performed by the Virginia Chorale, Robert Shoup, Music Director and other vocal ensembles on Saturday, March 17 uc0 u150 8 PM at the Norfolk Academy u146 s Johnson Theater, 1585 Wesleyan Drive in Norfolk, Virginia as part of the Virginia Festival of American Voices. The concert will feature the Virginia Chorale along with musical guests Coral Cantigas (Washington DC), the James River Singers (Richmond, VA), and The Bel Canto Company (Greensboro, NC) performing works by Bernstein, Barber, and Copland as well as selections from Latin America. Also featured is four-time Grammy award winning conductor Robert Page.
Mr. Locklair uc0 u146 s Tapestries will be performed by the Virginia Chorale, his Mysterious Cat and Nunc Dimittis will be performed by The Bel Canto Company, and his Recovery from Windswept (the trees) and Break Away! will be performed by the combined Virginia Chorale, James River Singers and Bel Canto Company.
This performance is part of a two-week festival co-produced by the Virginia Chorale and the Virginia Symphony Orchestra and is funded in part by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. The grant is part of the NEA uc0 u146 s American Masterworks Initiative, and was one of seven awarded for choral music in the United States. One of only seven such festivals in the United States in 2006-2007, the Virginia Festival of American Voices explores the breadth of beauty, drama, and virtuosity of American choral music. A variety of related events will feature recognized figures in the American choral landscape. More about the Virginia Festival of American Voices online at http://www.virginiasymphony.org/explore/2007%20pages/amvoices.html and http://www.virginiasymphony.org/explore/2007%20pages/amperformances.html#Voices.
Read a review of the concert at http://content.hamptonroads.com/story.cfm?story=121354&ran=234581.
» Chamber Music of Dan Locklair to Be Performed by Carolina Chamber Symphony Players
- Winston-Salem, North Carolina on March 11
Reynolda Reflections by composer Dan Locklair will be heard as part of Reynolda Reflections, a special concert by the Carolina Chamber Symphony Players on Sunday, March 11 uc0 u150 3 p.m. in the James A. Gray Auditorium of the Old Salem Visitor Center on the grounds of Old Salem Museum and Gardens in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. This concert is presented jointly the Carolina Chamber Symphony Players (CCSP) and Old Salem.
Each of the five movements of Locklair uc0 u146 s composition for flute, violin, and piano was inspired by a specific painting in the collection of Reynolda House Museum of American Art.
Performers on the Reynolda Reflections program are flutist Elizabeth Ransom, violinists Jacqui Carrasco and John Fadial; violist Scott Rawls; cellist Beth Vanderborgh; guitarist Joseph Pecoraro; and pianist Peter Kairoff.
» Choral Music of Dan Locklair to Be Performed by Cathedral Choral Society
of Washington DC
- National Cathedral on March 4
"Never did the Washington National Cathedral resound more grandly, sometimes with haunting overtones, than it did during Sunday's evensong service (performed on March 4th, 2007 by Anonymous 4 and the Cathedral Choral Society, J. Reilly Lewis, Conductor)...Choral highlights from the program included movements from Randall Thompson's exquisitely vocal "The Peaceable Kingdom"...and (a) vibrant anthem ("Remembrance") by...Dan Locklair. (The) composer (was) present for the audience's warm reception."
-- Cecelia Porter, Washington Post
Remembrance by American composer Dan Locklair will be heard as part of American Mystics, a very special concert by the Cathedral Choral Society, J. Reilly Lewis, conductor on Sunday, March 4 uc0 u150 4:00 PM at the National Cathedral, Massachusetts and Wisconsin Avenues, NW in Washington, D.C. The composers uc0 u146 "...and call her blessed..." from his Windows of Comfort (Organbook II) will also be presented.
Remembrance was written in 2006 for SATB chorus a cappella, organ and optional trumpet and is based on text from the Biblical book of Matthew.
Other works on the program will include Randall Thompson uc0 u146 s The Peaceable Kingdom, based on the Biblical texts of Isaiah, and works by William Trafka, Paul Halley, Frank Ferko, Edwin Fissinger, Gwyneth Walker, and Eric Whitacre.
Special guests for the concert will be the acclaimed Anonymous 4 vocal quartet. There will be a pre-concert panel discussion with Dan Locklair, Anonymous 4 and Robert Aubrey Davis.
February 2007
» Choral Music of Dan Locklair to Be Performed by Portland Gay Mens Chorus
Ensemble
- Portland, Oregon on February 18
"Freedom" by American composer Dan Locklair will be heard as part of Classical Matinee, a concert by the eXpress! ensemble of the Portland Gay Men uc0 u146 s Chorus, Mary McCarty conducting, on Sunday, February 18 - 3 PM at The Old Church, S.W. 11th and Clay Streets in downtown Portland, Oregon.
The New York City Gay Men's Chorus commissioned the Locklair work, which is based on Maya Angelou's poem "Equality." This powerful and moving piece delivers a message for freedom from oppression and a hope for equality.
Other works on the program include Stephen Chatman's "Reconciliation," Schubert's "Nachthelle" and music of Gustav Holst. The afternoon will also feature additional soloists from the Chorus and the community performing works for voice, clarinet, violin and marimba.
The Portland Gay Men's Chorus aspires to expand, redefine, and perfect the choral art through eclectic performances that honor and uplift the gay community and affirm the worth of all people. eXpress! is a 16 member ensemble of the Chorus. More about them and the PGMC at http://www.pdxgmc.org/.
» Organ Music of Dan Locklair to Be Performed by the Composer in Recital
- St. Pauls Episcopal Church in Winston Salem, North Carolina on February 6
Organ music by American composer Dan Locklair will be heard in a recital by the composer on Tuesday, February 6 uc0 u150 7 PM at St. Paul u146 s Episcopal Church, 520 Summit Street in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
Selections from Locklair uc0 u146 s Salem Sonata (2003) and 'aeolian Sonata (2002) will be performed, along with his Triptych for Manuals (1974) and the Premiere of Dance the Joy (2004), along with Schumann uc0 u146 s Sketches in F Minor and C Minor (Op. 58, Nos. 1 & 3) and Handel uc0 u146 s Sonata in F Major for Flute (Op. 1, No. 11). Mr. Locklair will be joined by flutist Kathryn Levy for the Handel selection.
This concert is free and open to the public. For more information, please contact St. Paul uc0 u146 s Episcopal Church at 336-723-4391 or visit them online at http://www.stpauls-ws.org/.
January 2007
» Dan Locklair Commissioned for Virginia Festival of American
Voices
uc0 u150 New Work to be Premiered on March, 23, 2007
The Board of Directors of the Virginia Chorale has commissioned composer Dan Locklair to compose Stirring the Silence, a choral work in honor of Music Director Robert Shoup uc0 u146 s 10th Anniversary Season as part of the Virginia Festival of American Voices, where Mr. Locklair has also been named Festival Resident Composer. Other of his compositions will be featured in festival concerts and he will also participate in panel discussions and workshops.
The Premiere performance of Stirring the Silence for chorus and strings will be given on Friday, March 23 uc0 u150 8 PM at Regent University Theatre, 1000 Regent University Drive in Virginia Beach, Virginia. The performance will be conducted by Robert Shoup as part of the festival that will feature two-time Grammy award winning conductor and lifelong advocate of American music and prolific arranger of American song Robert Page, the Virginia Symphony, JoAnn Falletta Music Director, the Virginia Symphony Chorus and multiple choirs including the Virginia Chorale, the Virginia Children uc0 u146 s Chorus, the Young Singers Project and the Norfolk State University Choir. The concert, featuring the Premiere performance of Stirring the Silence, is being produced by the orchestra and will be telecast live in Virginia. Funding is provided, in part by the National Endowment for the Arts as part of their American Masterpieces: Choral Music Initiative.
This concert will be repeated on Sunday, March 25 - 2:30pm at the Ferguson Center for the Arts Concert Hall on the campus of Christopher Newport University, 1 University Place in Newport News, Virginia.
The text for Stirring the Silence is taken from The Attending, by Fred Chappell, former Poet Laureate of North Carolina. The poem can be read at http://www.ncarts.org/chappell/attending.cfm.
Among the multiple components of the Virginia Festival of American Voices will be the March 17 American Legacies concert, produced by the Virginia Chorale at the Attucks Theater in Norfolk, Virginia. In addition to works by Mr. Locklair, the concert will also feature music by composers and arrangers such as Alice Parker, William Dawson, Charles Ives and Adolphus Hailstork. The Virginia Chorale will be joined by the Bel Canto Company of Greensboro, North Carolina and the James River Singers of Richmond, Virginia for this performance.
Other festival concerts will feature the Virginia Symphony Orchestra along with guitarist Christopher Parkening and singer Jubilant Sykes.
One of only seven such festivals in the United States in 2006-2007, the Festival explores the breadth of beauty, drama, and virtuosity of American choral music. The Festival will include many of the Symphony's series events as well as the March 17 performance hosted by the Virginia Chorale. A variety of related events will feature recognized figures in the American choral landscape. More about the Virginia Festival of American Voices online at http://www.virginiasymphony.org/explore/2007%20pages/amvoices.html and http://www.virginiasymphony.org/explore/2007%20pages/amperformances.html#Voices.
Fred Chappell has written 14 books of verse, two volumes of stories, one of criticism and eight novels. Among the awards and honors Mr. Chappell has received over his long career are the Sir Walter Raleigh Prize (1973), the North Carolina Award for Literature (1980), Yale University Library's Bollingen Prize in poetry (1985), a literature award from the National Academy of Arts and Letters (1968), the best foreign book prize from the Academie Fran '8daise (1972), and the Aiken Taylor Award in poetry (1996).
»New CD from Organist Alan Morrison Features Dan Locklair's In Mystery and Wonder (The Casavant Diptych) and VOYAGE, A Fantasy for Organ
For more information visit http://spiveyhall.blogspot.com/.
December 2006
»Choral music by American composer Dan Locklair will be heard in four performances by two different groups at concerts and church services in the next few days:
Saturday, December 16 at 7:30 PM and Sunday, December 17 at 3:00 PM — The Providence Singers, Andrew Clark, Artistic Director. The December 16 concert will be given at the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul, 30 Fenner Street in Providence, Rhode Island and the December 17 concert at St. Mary uc0 u146 s Church, 330 Wood Street in Bristol, Rhode Island.
Concert selections will include Mr. Locklair uc0 u146 s en natus est Emmanuel (for SSAATTBB and SA, a cappella), as part of these Joyful Gifts concerts along with selections from Handel uc0 u146 s Messiah, Poulenc u146 s Gloria and works by Morton Lauridson, John Rutter, Marcel Dupre, Healy Willan and many others. The Rhode Island Children uc0 u146 s Chorus, Christine Noel, Conductor, and organist Andrew Galuska will also perform at these concerts.
Tickets for these concerts are $20 in advance, with discounts for seniors and students. For tickets or more information, please contact the Providence Singers at 401-621-6123 or visit them online at http://www.providencesingers.org.
Sunday, December 17 at 9:30 and 11:00 AM — The Choir and Tower Brass of Fourth Presbyterian Church, John W. W. Sherer, Director of Music and Organist, will perform the composer uc0 u146 s Gloria (for SATB, brass and percussion), along with Amen by Vincent Persichetti and other works by Eric Thiman and Iain Quinn as part of their Sunday morning worship at Fourth Presbyterian Church, 126 E. Chestnut Street in Chicago, Illinois.
For more information, call the Church at 312-787-4570 or visit them at http://www.fourthchurch.org/index.html.
»Choral Music of Dan Locklair to Be Performed at Christmas Concerts in Winston Salem, North Carolina and Portland, Maine on December 1, 2 and 3
Friday, December 1 at 7:30 PM and Saturday, December 2 at 3:00 PM —The Piedmont Chamber Singers, Dr. William Osborne, Music Director, will perform Lockalir uc0 u146 s Three Christmas Motets (a cappella), along with settings of Latin texts by Poulenc, Palestrina, Richard Deering and, Luca Marenzio, Three Flute Noels by Jon Washburn as well as sets of carols by Colin Bumbry and John Rutter as part of their Festival of Carols concert at St. Timothy's Episcopal Church, 2575 Parkway Drive in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
Tickets for these concerts are $18 in advance, with discounts for seniors and students. For more information, please contact the Piedmont Chamber Singers at 336-722-4022 or visit them online at http://www.piedmontchambersingers.org.
Saturday, December 2 at 8:00 PM and Sunday, December 3 at 2:30 PM and 7:00 PM — The Choral Arts Society, Robert Russell, Conductor and Artistic Director, will perform the composer uc0 u146 s Gloria (for SATB, brass and percussion) which they commissioned in 1978, along with seasonal music, a cappella motets -- including Gabrieli's "Jubilate Deo" and Rachmaninoff's "Cherubic Hymn" -- and music for chorus, organ and brass as part of their 17th annual Christmas at the Cathedral concert at Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, 317 Congress Street in Portland, Maine.
Tickets for this performance range from $15 to $25 and are available by calling the Choral Arts Society at 207-828-0043. For more information, visit them at http://www.choralart.org.
November 2006
» Choral music by American composer Dan Locklair will be heard in three performances by three groups in three different cities on two days
Saturday, November 4 uc0 u150 8:00 PM — Renaissance choral ensemble, Robert Pritchard, Music Director, will perform In the Cross of Christ I Glory (for SATB, a cappella), along with Mr. Locklair uc0 u146 s Ubi Caritas, as part of their regular Charlotte subscription series concert at Myers Park United Methodist Church, 1501 Queens Road in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Tickets for the November 4 performance are $12 in advance, $15 at the door, with discounts for seniors and students. For more information, please contact Renaissance at tickets@singers-renaissance.org or visit them online at http://www.singers-renaissance.org.
Also on Saturday, November 4 uc0 u150 8:00 PM — The Worcester Chorus, Andrew Clark, Music Director, with Frank Corbin, Organ and Richard Watson, Trumpet, will perform St. Peter uc0 u146 s Rock (for SATB, trumpet and organ) and Ubi caritas (for choir and organ), at United Congregational Church, 6 Institute Road in Worcester, Massachusetts.
Tickets for this performance range from $18 to $26 and are available by calling Music Worcester, Inc. at (508) 754-3231 or online at http://musicworcester.org.
Sunday, November 5 — Remembrance (for double SATB choir, trumpet and organ) will be Premiered as part of their weekly worship services by the St. Paul uc0 u146 s Choir, Barbara Beattie, Music Director, at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 520 Summit Street in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
For more information, call St. Paul uc0 u146 s Episcopal Church at (336) 723-4391 or visit them online at http://www.stpauls-ws.org/.
July 2006
» Dan Locklair Commissioned for Virginia Festival of American Voices — New Work to be Premiered in March 2007
The Board of Directors of the Virginia Chorale has commissioned composer Dan Locklair to compose a choral work in honor or Music Director Robert Shoup's 10th Anniversary Season as part of the Virginia Festival of American Voices, where Mr. Locklair has also been named Festival Resident Composer. Other of his compositions will be prominently featured in festival concerts and he will also participate in panel discussions and workshops.
The March 23, 2007 premiere performance will be conducted by Mr. Shoup as part of the festival that will feature two-time Grammy award winning conductor and lifelong advocate of American music and prolific arranger of American song Robert Page, the Virginia Symphony, JoAnn Falletta Music Director, the Virginia Symphony Chorus and multiple choirs including the Virginia Chorale, the Virginia Children's Chorus, the Young Singers Project and the Norfolk State University Choir. The concert, featuring the Premiere performance of the Virginia Chorale's commission, is being produced by the orchestra and will be telecast live in Virginia. Funding is provided, in part by the National Endowment for the Arts as part of their American Masterpieces: Choral Music Initiative.
Among the multiple components of the Virginia Festival of American Voices will be the March 17, 2007 American Legacies concert, produced by the Virginia Chorale at the Norfolk Academy in Norfolk, Virginia. In addition to works by Mr. Locklair, the concert will also feature music by composers and arrangers such as Alice Parker, William Dawson, Charles Ives and Adolphus Hailstork. The Virginia Chorale will be joined by the Bel Canto Company of Greensboro, North Carolina and the James River Singers of Richmond, Virginia for this performance.
Other festival concerts will feature the Virginia Symphony Orchestra along with guitarist Christopher Parkening and singer Jubilant Sykes.
One of the seven such festivals in the United States in 2006-2007, the Festival explores the breadth of beauty, drama, and virtuosity of American choral music. The Festival will include many of the Symphony's series events as well as the March 17 performance hosted by the Virginia Chorale. A variety of related events will feature recognized figures in the American choral landscape. More about the Virginia Festival of American Voices online at www.virginiasymphony.org.
The text to be set for this commission (being composed for chorus and strings), is entitled The Attending and was written by Fred Chappell, former Poet Laureate of the state of North Carolina. The poem can be read at www.ncarts.org
Fred Chappell has written 14 books of verse, two volumes of stories, one of criticism and eight novels. Among the awards and honors Mr. Chappell has received over his long career are the Sir Walter Raleigh Prize (1973), the North Carolina Award for Literature (1980), Yale University Library's Bollingen Prize in poetry (1985), a literature award from the National Academy of Arts and Letters (1968), the best foreign book prize from the Academie Francaise (1972), and the Aiken Taylor Award in poetry (1996).
Internationally recognized composer Dan Locklair, a native of Charlotte, NC, is Composer-in-Residence and Professor of Music at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, NC. His compositional output, influenced by a wide variety of traditions, ranging from Medieval to modern music, includes symphonic works, a ballet, an opera, and numerous solo, chamber, vocal, organ and choral compositions. His music has been performed throughout Europe and North America by many major orchestras, choral groups, chamber ensembles and soloists. Several of these works have received major awards, including the top award in the 1989 Barlow International Competition for "changing perceptions & Epitaph" and the 1996 American Guild of Organists Composer of the Year Award. Among his other honors are consecutive ASCAP Awards since 1981 and a Kennedy Center Friedheim Award.
For more information about composer Dan Locklair, including a bio, list of works, discography and much more, please visit the newly redesigned www.locklair.com You can also contact Jeffrey James Art Consulting at 516-586-3433 or jamesarts@worldnet.att.net
April 2006
» DuBose Heyward Triptych by Dan Locklair to be Performed by Piedmont Chamber Singers in Winston Salem, North Carolina on May 6
New York, NY — Dan Locklair uc0 u146 s DuBose Heyward Triptych will be performed by the Piedmont Chamber Singers, Dr. William Osborne, Music Director, on May 6, 2006 - 7:30 pm at St. Timothy u146 s Episcopal Church, 2575 Parkway Drive in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
Other works on the u147 World of the Partsong u148 program include selections by Haydn, In Maytime, a series of choral waltzes by the American Oscar Weil, Robert Schumann u146 s Three Poems of Emanuel Geibel, a pair of partsongs by Edward Elgar, Paul Hindemith u146 s amusing Five Songs on Old Texts and the Three Chansons of Ravel.
A DuBose Heyward Triptych (Text: DuBose Heyward) was written in 2000-2001 and is a suite for SSAATTBB chorus, cappella. The 15-minute work consists of three movements — Silences, Landbound and Dusk. It is published by Subito Music — (973) 857-3440 or http://www.subitomusic.com/.
Tickets for the May 6 concert are $15 adults, $12 seniors (60+) and $6 students. For tickets and more information about this concert, please contact the Piedmont Chamber Singers at 336-722-4022. Much more about them at http://www.piedmontchambersingers.org.
April 2006
» Dan Locklair Reynolda Reflections to be Performed by Ensemble Portique in Madison Wisconsin on April 21
New York, NY — Dan Locklair's Reynolda Reflections for flute, cello and piano will be performed by L'Ensemble Portique on April 21, 2006 - 7:30 pm at Trinity Lutheran Church, 1904 Winnebago Street in Madison, Wisconsin. L'Ensemble members Lisette Kielson, flute, Pablo Mahave-Veglia, cello and Fumi Nishikiori, piano will be part of a multi-media presentation of the work.
The work received its World Premiere performances in 2000 at Salem College and at the Reynolda House Museum of American Art, both in Winston-Salem. Its five movements were inspired by paintings by Worthington Wittredge, Thomas Hart Benton, Georgia O'Keefe, Charles Sheeler and Elliott Daingerfield. Reynolda Reflections is published by Subito Music — (973) 857-3440 or http://www.subitomusic.com/.
For more information about this concert, please contact L'Ensemble Portique at 608-287-1006.
L'Ensemble Portique presents musical programming that explores repertoire from the past and present. Generating incredible energy by its passionate embrace of Baroque and contemporary chamber music, the ensemble encompasses period instruments in its early music concerts, introduces audiences to rarely heard and commissioned works on its contemporary programs, and combines both old and new in single performances. Lively anecdotes highlighting the instrumentation and historical perspectives contribute to the rare listening experience. L'Ensemble Portique's activities include national and international tours, residencies, festivals, workshops, broadcasts and recordings. Visit their website at http://www.lensembleportique.com.
December 2005
» Dan Locklair's Chamber Orchestra, Choral and Organ Music To Be Performed Throughout Eastern U.S. — Concerts in North and South Carolina and Illinois in the Coming Weeks
Major works from Dan Locklair's orchestra, choral, organ and chamber music catalogues will be performed throughout the Eastern United States in the coming weeks.
Marilyn Keiser, one of America's finest organists, will perform Locklair's "Phoenix Fanfare and Processional" for organ, brass and percussion on January 15, 2006 at 3:00 p.m. in Byrnes Auditorium on the campus of Winthrop University, 112 McLaurin in Rock Hill, South Carolina. For more information, call 803-323-4267 or visit http://www.winthrop.edu.
Dan Locklair will be performing an organ recital on January 23 at 8:00 p.m. in Wait Chapel on the campus of Wake Forest University, Wake Forest Road in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Featured works will be his "Constellations" (Concerto for Organ and Percussion) with percussionist John Beck, along with the solo work "In Mystery and Wonder" (The Casavant Diptych). For more information, please call 336-758-5364 or visit http://www.wfu.edu/music/.
The composer's "Lairs of Soundings" (for soprano and double string orchestra) will be performed in Greensboro, North Carolina on Feb. 5 by the Fibonacci Chamber Orchestra, Matthew Troy, conductor.
February 18 will bring a performance of the composer's "From East to West" by the Indianapolis Symphonic Choir, Eric Stark, Conductor at the 9:30 AM closing concert of the 2006 American Choral Directors Association Central Division Convention, being held at the Hilton Chicago, 720 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago, Illinois. For more information, contact ACDA at (405) 232-8161 or visit them at http://www.acdaonline.org/. From East to West was commissioned in 2003 by the Indianapolis Symphonic Choir and premiered by them in December 2003. Visit them online at http://www.indychoir.org/.
» Dan Locklair's Pater Noster Receives Fourth Recording in One Year — New CD from Koch International Classics is Latest Release and Also Features Second Recording of Composer's Brief Mass
Dan Locklair's choral work, Pater Noster (2000), a motet setting of the Lord's Prayer for SATB choir, divisi, a cappella, has been released on four separate recordings in 2004 and 2005 by a superb international array of choirs.
The latest recording of the work is a performance by The Choir of Men and Boys of Saint Thomas Church, New York (American Music from Saint Thomas) on Koch International Classics (Koch Classics KIC-CD-7567). The disk also features the second recording of Locklair's Brief Mass in its only available performance by a choir of men and boys. Other recently released CDs feature performances by The Choir of the Abbey School of England on the Priory label (Pater Noster — PRCD 787 — Settings of the Lords Prayer — http://www.priory.org.uk/), Vocal Arts Ensemble of Durham, North Carolina (My Spirit Sang All Day — http://www.arsisaudio.com/cd145.html), Cathedral Choral Society of Washington, DC (Music for a Sacred Place — http://www.arsisaudio.com/cd150.html) — both on the Arsis label (CD145 and CD150).
American Record Guide has written about the Arsis release, "I was especially happy with two rich pieces, "Create in Me a Clean Heart" and "Pater Noster", from contemporary American composer Dan Locklair (b. 1949), who deserves to be heard more often."
» Dan Locklair's Choral and Chamber Music To Be Performed Throughout Eastern U.S. — Concerts in Pittsburgh, Washington DC and South Bend Include Two World Premieres
Major works from Dan Locklair's choral and chamber music catalogue will be performed throughout the Eastern United States in the coming days, including two World Premieres.
Locklair's En Natus Est Emanuel, an a cappella Christmas motet for SSAATTBB and SA choir, will be presented at Carnegie Mellon University's College of Fine Arts and School of Music annual Holiday Concert on Friday, December 9th - 12 noon in the University's College of Fine Arts Great Hall in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Carnegie Mellon Philharmonic, Concert Choir and Repertory Chorus will perform under the direction of Robert Page. More about the concert at http://www.cmu.edu/.
This special holiday event is free and open to the public. The concert will also be broadcast live on WQED-FM 89.3. You can listen to the live webcast or one of the many re-broadcasts online at http://www.wqed.org/. For more information about the Holiday Concert call 412-268-2383.
The Cathedral Choral Society of Washington National Cathedral, Dr. J. Reilly Lewis, Artistic Director, will present the World Premiere of Dan Locklair's new choir/brass/timpani version of From East to West on December 9th at 7:30 PM and December 10th and 11th, 4 PM each day at Washington National Cathedral in Washington, D.C.
Tickets for these concerts can be ordered online at http://www.cathedralchoralsociety.org/tickets.htm or by calling 202-537-5527. More about the Cathedral Choral Society at http://www.cathedralchoralsociety.org.
From East to West was commissioned in 2003 by the Indianapolis Symphonic Choir, Eric Stark, Artistic Director, and premiered by them in December 2003. This season the Indianapolis Symphonic Choir will make the first commercial recording of the original choir and organ version of the piece.
The South Bend Chamber Singers, Nancy Menk, Artistic Director, will perform the World Premiere of Dan Locklair's The Isaiah Canticles (for SATB choir, a cappella) on December 18th at 7:30 at Church of Our Lady of Loretto, Saint Mary's College in South Bend, Indiana. The Isaiah Canticles was commissioned by the South Bend Chamber Singers this year. Also on the program, the ensemble will perform Locklair's Three Christmas Motets.
Tickets for this concert can be purchased by calling 574-284-4626. Visit the South Bend Chamber Singers online at http://users.michiana.org/sbcs1/.
» North Carolina Music Teachers Association 2006 Piano Contest-Festival List — Review of Dan Locklair's The Five Senses for Solo Piano:
Three movements from Dan Locklair's The Five Senses for solo piano have been included in the North Carolina Music Teachers Association's 2006 Piano Contest-Festival List. "Taste", "Touch" and "Sight" are listed in the Senior AIII grouping along with works by Martinu, Ravel, de Falla, Howard Hanson and others.
The Five Senses was written in 2003. This 9-minute suite for piano consists of the following movements: 1. Hearing; 2. Taste; 3. Touch; 4. Smell; and 5. Sight. Clavier magazine wrote of the piece, "(it) includes rich and refreshing examples of 21st-century classical music…The imaginative suite should have a place in junior or senior recitals."
The piece is published by Subtio Music Corporation. Visit them on the web at http://www.subitomusic.com/ or contact them at 973-857-3440.
October 2005
» Dan Locklair's Organ and Chamber Music To Be Performed in North Carolina — October 6 at Wake Forest University and October 9 at Old Salem Village
Major works from Dan Locklair's organ and chamber music catalogue will be performed in Winston-Salem, North Carolina in the coming days.
His 'Chautauqua Soliloquy' for flute and piano will receive its second performance on Thursday October 6, 2005 by Richard Sherman (flute) and Peter Kairoff (piano) in Brendle Recital Hall of Wake Forest University, Wake Forest Road in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
Richard Sherman, Professor of Flute at Michigan State University School of Music and Principal Flutist with the Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra (Chautauqua, NY), premiered this piece at Chautauqua on July 3, 2005. More about him online at http://www.music.msu.edu/. "Chautauqua Soliloquy" was the result of a commission from the composers' friend and colleague, David Levy, in celebration of his wife, Kathy, a flutist and long-time member of the Chautauqua Symphony, on the occasion of her 2005 birthday.
For ticket information and directions to Brendle Recital Hall, please call the Wake Forest Music Department at 336-758-5364.
Locklair's "Salem Sonata" will conclude renowned American organist Marilyn Keiser's concert on Sunday, October 9 2005 at 3:00 PM on the historic 1800 Tannenberg organ in Gray Auditorium of the Old Salem Visitor's Center, Old Salem Village in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Also appearing in Dr. Keiser's recital will be 2003 Metropolitan Opera Competition winner, soprano, Christina Pier.
"Salem Sonata" for organ is in four movements and was composed during late August and September of 2003 on commission from Mr. and Mrs. Mark Welshimer. Approximately ten minutes in length, "Salem Sonata" celebrates the 2004 completed restoration of the historic 1800 David Tannenberg pipe organ that was originally installed and dedicated in 1800 in the Moravian Church (now known as Home Moravian Church) in Salem, North Carolina.
Marilyn Keiser is Chancellor's Professor of Music at Indiana University Bloomington, where she teaches courses in sacred music as well as applied organ. Prior to her appointment at Indiana University, Dr. Keiser was Organist and Director of Music at All Souls Parish in Asheville, NC, and music consultant for the Episcopal Diocese of Western North Carolina, holding both positions from 1970-1983. Much more about her at http://www.music.indiana.edu/.
Admission fee to this concert is $8.00. For directions and more information, please contact Old Salem at 336-721-7300.
June 2005
» World Premiere of Dan Locklair's "Spreckels' Fancy" for Organ at San Diego's Balboa Park
May 2005
» World Premiere Of Dan Locklair's The Gift Of Music With The Winston-Salem Children's Chorus - New Work Featured Text By North Carolina Poet Laureate Fred Chappell
February 2008
» Read Reviews of Dan Locklair's Naxos Symphony of Season's CD
WSKG Radio
Sequenza21
Music Web International
Wake Forest Newspaper
» The Diapason, February 2008
- Review of His Albany Chamber Music CDs
"Perhaps it is not strictly within our purview, but it is important and beautiful music by a foremost American composer. Many movements are based upon a painting or-poem, and welcome notes are written by Locklair giving us the why and wherefore, which-is most helpful. The concluding Constellations is a concerto for organ and percussion in tour movements, rippingly well-played 'by George Ritchie and Albert Rometo. There is much variety in the selections, for example, Dream Steps, a dance suite for flute, viola and harp, is '...to be danced, especially in small spaces, such as art galleries, according to the composer. Don't miss this wonderful and imaginative music.'"
-Charles Huddleston Heaton
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
April 2007
» The Virginian-Pilot, March 2007
- Review of performance as part of the Virginia Festival of American Voices
"Locklair, composer-in-residence at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, N.C., writes tonal music that gets a contemporary sound through light dissonance and rhythmic complexity."
"His healthy sense of humor came through in "Break Away!" and "The Mysterious Cat."
"With the chorale members spread out on the side balconies, Locklair's "Tapestries" mixed piano and handbells with a variety of vocal effects in a fresh, interesting way."
"The Bel Canto Company from Greensboro, N.C., has done a lot of Locklair's music and, in addition to bringing his cats to life, gave a warm sound to his more traditional "Nunc Dimittis."
December 2006
» Classical Voice North Carolina, December 2006
Review of From East to West: A Festival of Carols by Indianapolis
Symphonic Choir, Eric Stark, Artistic Director
"This is an admirable collection of some unusual carols, admirably sung by an outstanding choir and variously accompanied, but the chief attraction for Tar Heels may well be the title track, "From East to West," composed in 2003 by Dan Locklair, distinguished Composer in Residence at Wake Forest University. Locklair's choral uc0 u150 and organ u150 works continue to impress, and this stirring work, which is among his very best, sets the tone for the rest of the recorded program. Its disc-mates are of comparable worth and beauty, and the recording serves as a fine reminder that there is great choral singing all over this land."
September 2006
» The Diapason — Review of Salem Sonata (Raven CD OAR 700)
"This Raven compact disc is a recording of the dedication recital (of the rebuilt Tannenberg organ at Old Salem Village, North Carolina) that Peter Sykes played on March 18, 2004."
"The high point of this dedicatory recital is, of course, Dan Locklair's Salem Sonata, specially composed to celebrate the restoration of the large Tannenberg organ. It is divided in to four movements, headed, "To thee our cordial thankfullness," "Hallowed be thy name," "We owe thee thankfulness and praise," and "Let his work your pleasure be." Al four movement are founded on chorale melodies that would have been played on the Tannenberg organ before it was taken down and stored in 1910. The rich textures and warm harmonies remind me in many ways of the three Hindemith sonatas..."
"This is an excellent recording and a "must" for anyone interested in exploring America's 18th-century organ heritage. The repertoire is varied and well played and Dan Locklair's Salem Sonata alone is worth the purchase price."
The Gramophone, March 2006
Review of American Music from Saint Thomas (KOCH KIC CD 7567)
"Dan Locklair, composer-in-residence at Wake Forest University, writes in a conservative tonal idiom, but his music is fluent, well crafted and quite attractive. The Brief Mass opens with a soothing, mystical Kyrie with some artful dissonance, spiced by a sudden upward leap at 2'40" with the entry of boys' voices. The Gloria is cast in a more syncopated, even jaunty, style reflecting its rejoicing quality. There are nimble solo turns and much effective contrast between high and low voices, with the trebles detached to soar at the "Cum Sancto Spiritu". The Credo has a natural, conversational feel, while the Sanctus and Agnus Dei strike the right consolatory glow. Locklair's Pater Noster offers a similarly lovely, dark-hued inspiration."
American Record Guide, March 2006
Review of American Music from Saint Thomas (KOCH KIC CD 7567)
"Here the incomparable (at least in this country) St. Thomas Choir of men and boys presents an inspiring and beautifully sung program of mostly sacred music from three leading American composers."
"I first discovered Dan Locklair's (b 1949) striking choral music at a memorable Piccolo Spoleto concert in Charleston. Choirs everywhere are discovering him, and I've been gratified to find his music in quite a few collections...Here he offers his compelling a cappella Brief Mass, but don't confuse it with a "missa brevis", as it contains a Credo movement. Written for up to eight parts, this is a shimmering and skillfully developed marvel of structural economy, chock-full of cotnrasting moods, sonic textures, and musical ideas. Riches from Locklair continue with "Pater Noster", powerful and touching motet dedicated to this choir."
"Locklair...doesn't "write down" to anybody, and these gifted boys (along with their older colleagues) handle his often complex rhythms and dissonance-laced harmonies with technical aplomb."
FMusic Web International (UK), March 2006
Review of American Music from Saint Thomas
"The site has reviewed Dan Locklair's orchestral music before now. Here we hear his Brief Mass for double chorus a cappella. It is beautifully laid out and performed with every indication of scrupulous care. The idiom is plain and unadorned yet with the spiritual North fixed firmly in Medieval England. The music reminded me of the clearer less densely harmonic moments in Herbert Howells' church music. Then again the life and rhythmic surge of this music recalls the choral writing of the Welsh composer William Mathias and of Geoffrey Bush. The AMENs in the Credo sound as if they have been written by a composer who has heard the AMENs in Janacek's Glagolytic Mass. The sweetly-spun rafter-ringing Sanctus links with John Rutter's Gloria and Requiem. It is a lovely piece and should be taken up by cathedral and church choral directors the world over. Locklair's Pater Noster is in much the same accessible style."
"...the Locklair has the makings of a modern classic."
Classical Voice North Carolina, March 2006
Review of American Music from Saint Thomas
"This fine addition to the discography of American choral music encompasses performances of a few premier American composers of somewhat similar middle-of-the-road romantic compositional style. Piston and Thompson were both born near the end of the 19th century. Locklair (b.1949), Composer in Residence and Professor of Music at Wake Forest University, is possibly at the zenith of his creativity — hopefully, he has much more to say to us."
"His Brief Mass (the ordinary, sung in Latin, a cappella) makes considerable use of the highly symbolic number "3". Much of it is scored for double chorus. The Kyrie brings to my mind a monk on the floor, face down, with his arms outstretched in the form of a cross. It is a plea for mercy that demands nothing and offers all. The Gloria is a stand up piece, full of praise and thoughtful thanksgiving. The Credo is a statement of faith, much of it chant-like, giving meaning to the elements of belief. The Sanctus-Benedictus takes us beyond ourselves with ethereal music ascending like incense. And the Agnus Dei reminds us of the innocent Lamb and the suffering that is the source of mercy and peace. The choir sings with the excellent intonation and control that is necessary to perform the piece convincingly."
"Jesus said to his disciples, "When you pray, pray like this...." Locklair's Pater Noster (The Lord's Prayer) is a model of how this prayer may be sung. With rich harmonies and lyrical lines that bring wonderful depth to the meaning of prayer, it is perhaps the composer's most transcendent music."
Fanfare Magazine, February 2006
Review of American Music from Saint Thomas (KOCH KIC CD 7567)
"Here is a soothing CD for Sunday night listening: two settings of liturgical texts by Dan Locklair for a cappella choir and a song cycle by Randall Thompson for choir and chamber orchestra, separated by Walter Piston uc0 u146 s instrumental interlude for organ and strings. The choir is that of the church of St. Thomas, New York, "the only church-related residential choir school in the United States" according to the notes. It consists of 15 men, some of whom sing counter-tenor, and 20 or more boys from the church school. The recording was made in St. Thomas's church in May 2002 and the acoustic has been well managed: sound is reverberant enough to put a halo around the choristers, but not so much as to muddy the lines. The organ and chamber orchestra are cleanly recorded too, balanced more closely than the choir."
"Dan Locklair (b. 1949) has composed music in several genres but is probably best known for his sacred music. His Brief Mass from 1993 is widely performed, popular for its musical qualities as much as its brevity. Locklair's choral writing is similar to that of Britten and some other 20th-century English choral composers: his themes have a Lydian modality about them and his harmonies often feature the soft dissonance of a major second. Both of these traits "sound" particularly well in a cathedral setting. The opening Kyrie is almost entirely set in the choir's middle register, but is capped at the very end by a high arioso line from the sopranos — a sudden, short-lived blossoming. The remaining four movements are equally succinct. Again, in the short setting of the Pater Noster (the Lord's Prayer), Locklair's style is clean and clear, this time evoking a medieval atmosphere through the use of pedal notes from the bass voices. The choir copes well with these two unaccompanied works, which are not as easy as they sound: exposed singing like this with very little doubling requires unanimity of attack and accurate pitch."
"...a delightful disc."
January 2006
Dan Locklair's Pater Noster Receives Fourth Recording in One Year New CD from Koch International Classics is Latest Release and Also Features Second Recording of Composer's Brief Mass. Read CD Reviews at Music Web International and Classical Voice North Carolina. (Albany/Troy 701/2):
Winston-Salem Journal, 8 May 2005
Ken Keuffel's review of the CD, DAN LOCKLAIR : CHAMBER MUSIC (Albany/Troy 701/2):
"Dan Locklair, a professor of composition at Wake Forest University, once confided to me that he had no desire to write for the accordion. But as this wonderful and generous two-disc collection of chamber works shows, he is willing — and quite able — to write for just about any other instrument or combination of instruments out there…
This collection of works, composed over a 20 year-plus period, reminds us of why musicians want to perform and record his music. Consider it a fine, comprehensive introduction to the composer's art…
(In Reynolda Reflections) time hasn't dampened my astonishment at this music, which can translate sensuousness into sound, quote old American gospel songs in new and compelling ways, and remind us that we u146 re misusing the Earth u146 s riches.
Frankly, I was blown away by Constellations…"
Classical Voice of North Carolina, April 2005
William Thomas Walker's review of the CD, DAN LOCKLAIR : CHAMBER MUSIC (Albany/Troy 701/2):
"In a letter to his father about aspects of the composition of his piano concertos K.413-415, Mozart wrote, '(They) are in fact midway between too difficult and too easy — they are very brilliant, fall agreeably on the ear, though of course without becoming trivial. Here and there only connoisseurs can derive satisfaction, but in such a way that the non-connoisseur will be pleased without knowing why.' Mozart u146 s comment could just as well apply as a summation of this delightful and wide-ranging compilation of chamber music by Dan Locklair…"
Salisbury Post (Salisbury, NC), 20 January 2005
Gerald Cochran's review of The Salisbury Symphony Orchestra performance of Symphony of Seasons (Symphony No. 1):
"Although a new work, it is quite listenable. The audience was very receptive, and gave Locklair, who was in attendance, a warm and well-deserved ovation."
Music & Vision (England) November 2004
Carson Cooman's review of the CD, DAN LOCKLAIR : CHAMBER MUSIC (Albany/Troy 701/2):
"This reviewer wrote very favorably about Locklair's all-orchestral disc also released on Albany Records in 2002. It is now wonderful that Albany has followed that successful release with this new set of Locklair's chamber compositions….
This disc shows a larger emotional range of music than the orchestral disc, but Locklair's style remains the same — strongly crafted music of tonal character with 'American' harmonic and rhythmic inflections. Locklair's harmonic language often favors small collections of pitches, particularly pentatonic ones, which he uses to build entire movements or sections.
As is almost always the case with Locklair's music, all of these works are inspired by extra-musical ideas; paintings, poetry, nature, etc. Spanning nearly twenty years of compositional activity, these works provide an excellent sampling of Locklair's instrumental music…
If this disc does not provide as immediate of an 'impact' as Locklair's orchestral disc, it is simply because the bold, extrovert nature of the orchestral music is painted on a larger canvas. Locklair's chamber music is absolutely worth enjoying, however. He is an important American voice who deserves further recognition and performances."
American Record Guide November/December 2004
Lindsay Koob's review of the CD, My Spirit Sang All Day featuring "Create in Me a Clean Heart" and "Pater Noster":
"…I was especially happy with two rich pieces, "Create in Me a Clean Heart" and "Pater Noster", from contemporary American composer Dan Locklair (b. 1949), who deserves to be heard more often."
Clavier Magazine September 2004
A review on the publication release of The Five Senses: A suite for Piano in Five Movements:
"The Five Senses: A Suite for Piano in Five Movements, by Dan Locklair, includes rich and refreshing examples of 21st century classical music… The imaginative suite should have a place in junior or senior recitals."
News Tribune (Duluth, MN), 24 June 2004
Samuel Black's review of a performance of In the Autumn Days (Symphony for Chamber Orchestra) by the Lake Superior Chamber Orchestra (Warren Friesen, Music Director):
"This symphony shifted from rhythmic to dreamy, followed by a chorale and a return to aggressive rhythms. All the energy missing thus far from the evening was concentrated in this work. Differently pitched drums competed with the brass for the melody. At another point, a lovely flute wisped a tune that was imitated by a solo violin. Harplike sounds from the piano accompanied gentle strings intoning a hymn. Ultimately, the driving drums and brass sharply brought the piece to a halt. Energy had finally arrived, but the concert was over."
Choir & Organ (England), March/April 2004
Roderick Swanston's review of the first British review of the publication of The Æolian Sonata and Celebration for organ:
"The pick of these new organ works is Dan Locklair's Celebration (commissioned in 2003 for anniversary celebrations of a North Carolina Music Director) and the three-movement Æolian Sonata (commissioned in 2003 by Duke University Chapel in North Carolina). Both works display a marked ability to write imaginatively and excitingly for organ, exploiting both a wide range of colours and techniques including double pedalling, rapid trilling, thick chords and wide tessituras. Celebration is a set of variations that bubbles with energy…. The Æolian Sonata… carries an inscription 'In remembrance of the darkness of September 11 from which emerged hope for Peace and Joy in Thanksgiving'…. The work displays Locklair's brilliant constructive and colouristic skills, and the final 'Laudate Dominum' has a fiery energy maintained right through to its replendent ending."
Times-News (Burlington, NC), 21 March 2004
Tom Dillon's review of organist Peter Sykes's World Premiere performance of Salem Sonata at the re-dedication of the restored 1800 Tannenberg Organ at Old Salem (Winston-Salem, NC):
"The highlight of the evening, however, was the premiere of "Salem Sonata," written by Dan Locklair of Wake Forest University."
The News and Observer (Raleigh, NC), 29 March 2004
Roy C. Dicks' review of The North Carolina Symphony's performance of Symphony of Seasons (Symphony No. 1):
"Locklair's piece is unapologetically programmatic and tonal, vividly depicting the year's changes as inspired by British poet James Thomson's epic poem "The Seasons." The rousing fanfare and sweet melody of "Autumn," the fluttering strings and burbling woodwinds in "Spring," and the languid reflection and childlike dances of "Summer" easily conjure specific images. Best is "Winter," in which one grand, long melody builds from an icy, bleak opening to a monumental, windblown climax."
Classical Voice of North Carolina [CVNC] (website), 29 March 2004
John Lambert's review of The North Carolina Symphony's performance of Symphony of Seasons (Symphony No. 1):
The Symphony of Seasons is "realized with levels of skill and understanding we have come to expect from our native son…"
The Diapason, June 2003
Haig Mardirosian's review of the publication of The Æolian Sonata for organ:
"…What a refreshing delight therefore, to notice a score which literally screams for the appraisal of masterpiece. The grounds for this conclusion are many, but none more telling than this: Dan Locklair's The Æolian Sonata was ha