Lisa Alexander was practically born singing. An active chorister from the age of 10, she began composing and arranging for choirs in high school. She has a Bachelor of Music degree in Vocal Performance from the Thornton School of Music at the University of Southern California, where she graduated summa cum laude.
For several years, she served as a resident composer and performer with the Los Angeles-based choral group "Zephyr: Voices Unbound", having appeared in numerous programs and on their Civic Records release "A Choir of Angels II: Mission Music". She has performed with the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, the Los Angeles Mozart Orchestra, and the Austin (Texas) Vocal Arts Ensemble.
Currently, Lisa performs with the Gilbert and Sullivan Society of Austin, and Musica Ecclesiae at St. Mary Cathedral, also in Austin. In her free time, she sings and plays tenor guitar, dulcimer, and octave mandolin for the folk trio, "The Pine Beetles."
Kent Jon Fenske received his M.A. in Composition and Theory from the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, having studied with Dominick Argento and Paul Fetler. His undergraduate work was completed at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, with instructors Conrad DeJong (composition), Lillian Tan (piano), and Elliot Wold (vocal/choral).
Versatile as a performer, Kent has been featured as baritone soloist with the University of Minnesota combined choirs and orchestra in Bruckner's "Te Deum". He was also one of eight soloists in the premier of "Quartet" by John Cage. As a pianist, Kent has soloed with the St. Croix Valley Orchestra in Grieg's Piano Concerto in A Minor, and continues to enjoy accompanying various recitalists throughout the region.
Kent's compositions have been performed throughout the Midwest, Canada, and Europe by such groups as the Bach Society of Minnesota, the Metropolitan Lutheran Chorale, the University of Minnesota Men's Chorus, the University of Wisconsin (River Falls Concert Choir and Chamber Singers). His works have also been featured on Minnesota Public Radio.
Curtis Heard is active in the Los Angeles area as a pianist, musical director, composer and arranger. His career in music began in high school, accompanying, and playing for ballet studios. Over ensuing years, he has performed with renowned Southern California organizations such as the Pacific Symphony, the Cypress Pops Orchestra, Zephyr: Voices Unbound, and other professional ensembles. He has accompanied---and also performed as music director---for numerous musical theater and civic light opera productions. He teaches music at Woodrow Wilson High School in Long Beach, and is director of music at First Congregational Church (also in Long Beach).
Curtis is a talented and multi-faceted composer/arranger. His well-crafted compositions have been performed and recorded by numerous ensembles and soloists. He has written for choir, handbells, solo piano, organ, chamber ensembles, and the theater (including opera). Many of these works are published, including an Easter Cantata for Choir and Woodwind Quintet.
Curtis received his bachelor of music degree from Cal State Long Beach where he studied piano, composition, and choral conducting. Besides his writing, he is much in demand as an accompanist for vocal and instrumental recitals. He lives in Seal Beach with his singer/actress wife, Lisa Bode Heard, and their son, Clayton.
Cory
Johnson earned his Master of Music Degree in Composition from California State University, Long Beach. He has won numerous awards for composition, including the Irwin Kostal Award from The American Society of Music Arrangers and Composers. His music has been sung at venues across the country, including major choral festivals, and he has been commissioned to write for professional choral groups, universities, and churches. One of his most critically acclaimed pieces, "The Lark at Heaven's Gate Sings" (published here) was featured on a DVD recording by the choral group Zephyr: Voices Unbound and included in samplers for AIX Records, Creative Labs, and Audi Motors. As an orchestrator, he has worked on various film/commercial projects for William Kidd, DeRoche Music, and Lundquist Productions, including music for attractions at Universal Studios Florida.
Mr Johnson presently teaches music theory and piano at Fullerton College. Cory performs regularly as a jazz pianist, along with the Cory Johnson Trio. He also serves as organist at Riviera United Methodist Church in Redondo Beach, St. John the Baptist in Costa Mesa, and also directs the contemporary band at Our Lady Queen of Angels in Newport Beach. He and his wife, Dawn, live in Huntington Beach, with their two sons.
Other published works of Cory Johnson
Pavane Publishing
- Order through Hal Leonard -
At Morning's Twilight (SATB)
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Donald Neufeld retired in 2021, after faithfully serving 49 years as a professor of music at Azusa Pacific University (since 1972)! He taught music theory, counterpoint, orchestration, arranging, form and analysis, techniques classes (woodwind, string, brass, and percussion), and advanced levels in many of the foregoing, including advanced analysis of form and style. He served as interim dean of the School of Music in 1998-99 and dean of the same School from 2010-13. Later, he continued to serve as an associate dean in the School of Music, in addition to his teaching and writing assignments.
Along with his university duties, he has been an adjudicator for various local school districts, and formerly directed the choir at Grace Baptist Church in Glendora.
Dr Neufeld's achievements as composer, arranger, orchestrator, and music producer have gained him national and international recognition. His large volume of works (composed and arranged in a variety of styles) have been performed in venues including the International Church Music Festival in Oberammergau, Germany (conducted by Sir David Wilcox), the Segerstrom Center in Orange County, live recordings in London England for the Adoration Series recordings of Choral Masterworks, and literally hundreds of performances by APU ensembles, especially the University Choir and Orchestra. His works are represented by BMI, Telarc, Lillenas, Glorysound, Resmiranda, and Pauline Records.
Don received a Bachelor's degree in Music Education from Pasadena Nazarene College (now Point Loma University), and a Master of Arts in Music Theory from California State University, Fullerton.
Kenneth
Neufeld is a former Los Angeles-based composer/arranger and singer/performer, who relocated to Kansas City in 2021. His library of nearly 400 works currently extends from choral/vocal settings, keyboard and instrumental works, to scores for full-scale musical theater. His choral writing is characterized by exceptional voice-leading, rendering each vocal line highly singable. His solo songs often require wide vocal and dramatic ranges; and instrumentally, his work can, at times, be quite technically-demanding (...keyboardists, in particular, will agree). His style stems primarily from classical roots---most notably, the Late Romantic to Early 20th Century English and French schools. While melodic and tonal, his music is seldom without a degree of harmonic complexity, often featuring distinct (but subtle) jazz flavorings.
Mr Neufeld's works, have been performed nationally and internationally, in such venues as the Walt Disney Concert Hall (Los Angeles), Carnegie Hall (New York), Covent Garden (London) and the Sydney Opera House (Australia), to name a few. He has been represented by such publishers as Aberdeen/Plymouth, Allans/EMI Australia, Jenson/Hal Leonard, and Walton. Currently, his works are available though Boosey & Hawkes, Colla Voce, Gentry, as well as Kensington Choralworks. In the Los Angeles area alone, Mr Neufeld's compositions and arrangements have been performed by such renowned (and diverse) performers as: the Los Angeles Master Chorale (under both Grant Gershon and Paul Salamunovich), the L. A. A Cappella Symphony (a cross between the Swingle Singers and Spike Jones), the Roger Wagner Chorale (under Jeannine Wagner), Zephyr: Voices Unbound (a conductorless, 12-voice ensemble), Pacific Swingline (vocal jazz quintet), and the Los Angeles Chamber Singers (under Peter Rutenberg).
Several honors have been awarded Ken's compositions. Many have been selected as featured works, and sung by combined choirs at choral festivals. "Bring Me the Sunset" won the first statewide choral composition competition sponsored by the California chapter of the American Choral Directors Association. "Veni, Sancte Spiritus" won the Juan Bautista Comes Choral Competition, out of Segorbe, Spain. Additionally, Mr Neufeld's second musical, "Before Never-Neverland", was finalist in two national competitions (The Richard Rodgers Production Award, and the Eugene O'Neill Theatre Center's Music Theatre Conference), and one of the winners of the international "Quest for New Musicals", receiving showcase productions in London. Meanwhile, here in Los Angeles, the musical was given a staged reading and placed under consideration for six months, by the prestigious "Centre Theatre Group", which operates both the Ahmanson and Mark Taper theatres. You may listen to a 20-minute performance of selections and excerpts (with synthesized orchestration), here. ...And for more information about Ken's musicals, visit ScottGuy.Biz and click on "Before Never-Neverland" (under the Large Musicals tab) or "The Devil's Looking-Glass" (under the Operas tab).
Ken graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from California State University at Long Beach, where he studied with Frank Pooler (choral music), John Prince (jazz), and Ken Remo (voice). Also in the L.A. area, he studied theory with Williametta Spencer, and '20th Century Techniques' with Rodger Vaughan.
Other published works of Kenneth Neufeld
Boosey & Hawkes, Inc.
- Order through Hal Leonard -
Cantique de Jean Racine (3-Part Treble Voices, Keyboard, and optional Strings)
The Rose of Sharon (SATB, Piano)
Shenandoah (SAB w/Solo, A Cappella)
The Smoothing Iron (SSA or TTB, Piano)
The Water is Wide (SATB, Piano)
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Colla Voce Music, Inc.
4600
Sunset Avenue, Suite 83
Indianapolis, IN 46208
Phone: 317/923-5310 --- Fax: 317/923-5309
Be Thou My Vision (SATB, Piano)
Four Herrick Songs (SATB, A Cappella)
Herrick’s Carol (Unison or 2-Part Voices, Piano)
The Lamb (from “Three Songs of Innocence” - SATB, A Cappella)
Song of the Crib (Unison Choir or Solo Voice, Piano)
Three Songs of Innocence (SATB, A Cappella)
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EMI Music Publishing Australia Pty, Ltd
1 Gurrigal Street
Mosman, NSW 2088, Australia
Phone: 011-61-29/960-5400 --- Fax: 011-61-29/960-5122
Waltzing Matilda (SSAATTBB, Piano)
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Gentry Publications
- Order through Hal Leonard -
The Minstrel Boy (SATB)
My Song of Today (SATB)
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Piles, Editorial de Musica, S.A.
Archena, 33
Apartado de Correos 8012
46014 Valencia, Spain
Veni, Sancte Spiritus (SSAATTBB, A Cappella)
(The Piles company is licensed to sell this work in all countries except the U.S., Canada, New Zealand, Australia and Japan.)
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After serving in World War II, Randy Van Horne enrolled in Baltimore's Peabody Conservatory of Music, later finishing up at Texas Western College (currently the University of Texas, at El Paso). In 1949, he moved to Los Angeles, taking a variety of studio music jobs prior to forming "The Encores" (Alicia Adams, Clark Burroughs, Bob Morse, Jack Elliot, Randy Van Horne), who toured with the Billy May band. (At the end of the Billy May stint, Clark Burroughs and Bob Morse met up with Gene Puerling and Bob Strasen, moving on to form "The Hi-Lo's.")
In the mid-1950's, Randy formed an ensemble from among the session singers with whom he frequently worked, and "The Randy Van Horne Singers" were born. Whether you recognize the name or not, you ARE familiar with this group! The singers have been heard on countless recordings, commercials, jingles, station identification spots ...and perhaps most noticeably as the musical voices that introduce us to The Flintstones and The Jetsons. In 1957, they appeared regularly on The Nat King Cole television show. Along with Randy, the group consisted of Marni Nixon, Sally Sweetland, Alicia Adams, Sally Terri, Sue Allen, B.J. Baker, Vangie Carmichael, Peggy Clark, Bob Stevens, Jay Meyer, Max Smith, Verne Rowe, Bill Lee, Jimmy Joyce, Thurl Ravenscroft and John Drake. This was the PREMIERE group of "studio singers," and for all intents and purposes, they invented the art!
On rare occasions, this ensemble of legendary singers made "live" appearances, but they remained predominantly a studio group. Initially signed to RCA, they recorded their own albums, but also sang backgrounds for "Hi-Fi" artists such as Esquivel, the innovative and experimental composer/arranger from just south of our border; Martin Denny, with his exotic sounds; along with Bob Thompson, a jazz version of the talented Leroy Anderson. Randy kept his own compositional skills in tune by writing (over 200) jingles, as well as creating arrangements for the group's albums.
When the ensemble disbanded in the early '70's, some members began singing with Ray Conniff, Johnny Mann, or Percy Faith. Others continued on their own solo careers: Marni Nixon concertized, and sang voiceovers for Natalie Wood (West Side Story), Audrey Hepburn (My Fair Lady) and Deborah Kerr (The King And I). B.J. Baker sang for Nancy Kwan in Flower Drum Song. Jimmy Joyce (who also had his own group of singers) overdubbed for Stephen Boyd in the motion picture extravaganza, Jumbo. Randy, himself, actually replaced Bobby Darin's own singing voice in the movie, Captain Newman, MD. And while frequently gigging as the voice of Kellogg's "Tony the Tiger" or Dr Seuss' "Grinch," Thurl Ravenscroft remained L.A.'s consummate studio bass until his death in 2005.
In later years, Mr Van Horne focused more on composition. He has written a number of pieces that have been performed by Southern California orchestras and choirs, including a symphonic suite entitled, "The Running of the Bulls."
Randy's compositions and arrangements are crafted with great musical skill! To this day, the charts he wrote for his "Singers" reveal a fresh inventiveness, and a light, easy swinging style, demonstrating the air-tight ensemble work you'd expect for some of the best session singers in the business. (Many of these charts will be available soon in "The Randy Van Horne Choral Series.")
RANDY VAN HORNE, February 2, 1924 - September 26, 2007
Randy lost a battle with cancer, late in September of 2007. But on the following October 4th, a joyful memorial service was held, overflowing the venue at the Motion Picture & Television Home in Woodland Hills, CA. Remembrances were offered by Marilyn King (youngest of the singing "King Sisters" ensemble), Clark Burroughs (of "Hi-Lo's" fame), and arranger and close friend, Ron Harris, among others. Randy's son, Mark, shared both touching and humorous slices of family life, as well as a video montage of commercials, TV shows, and photographs, underscored by, or exhibiting Randy's jingles, arrangements, and other music. Randy was an important voice in the birth of commercial music, and especially where studio singers are concerned. A humble, but enthusiastic and fun-loving gentleman, both he and his musical talents will be greatly missed!
FYI: A few of the Randy Van Horne Singer's original albums have been remastered and released for download from the iTunes Store. CD's can also be found online, at such outlets as Amazon.com, and others.
Peter Williams was born in New York City, in 1952. A graduate of California State University, Long Beach, he is a teacher, clinician, as well as a phenomenal pianist and composer. Comfortable and adept in many musical styles, his compositions and arrangements range from deeply moving and wondrous serious works (sacred and secular), to stunningly creative jazz and pop charts.
Mr Williams has been published by Aberdeen/Plymouth, Colla Voce, Jenson/Hal Leonard, Twin Oaks and Walton, and his music is performed across the U.S. and Canada.
PROGRAMMING NOTE: If you have enjoyed Peter's three "Carols of the Heart", consider purchasing "All Men Draw Near", "In the Bleak Mid-Winter" and "Lute-Book Carol" (published by Colla Voce---see below). The six carols are equally marvelous, and work together well in any combination. Additionally, they are a particularly fitting complement to Britten's "Ceremony of Carols".
PETER WILLIAMS, July 23, 1952 - July 19, 2011
We are saddened to report Peter's untimely passing, on Tuesday, July 19, 2011. It came as a shock and surprise to all who knew him. As any who sang his music can attest, he was more than just another talented musician. He was a GIANT among composers/arrangers and pianists. We will miss him, and regret that he left us far too soon. But his music will live on in our hearts and voices, and will touch us even more deeply when we play his recordings, and sing his marvelous songs again.
Pete and his wife were among the attendees at a choir reunion for California State University, Long Beach, held in August of 2010. Unbeknownst to us, this was the last occasion many of us would see or speak with Pete. Frank Pooler, our inimitable director, had this to say, by way of introduction to Pete's leading us in two of his works:
"Pete Williams was born to make music. He arrived at the Long Beach scene with a stack of first class choral compositions written during his stay at Pima College in Tucson. Several of these were published during his student days at Long Beach State...
"One of the great joys of my years at Long Beach was to turn the reins of the music-making over to Pete. His exciting arrangements and compositions remain in the minds of those who sang them as though fastened by glue. The same can be said about his work at the keyboard.
"It was not long after I became an ex-employee of the State of California that I got hungry to hear Pete's music again, and put together a CD of the medleys he had arranged for us over his time in choir... I play it often, and love it now as I did the first time I heard it.
"Pete was never limited to Pop; his Mass [Missa Brevis] for choir and keyboard contains moments of unsurpassable beauty, and received an overwhelming response in performance at Carnegie Hall..."
Other published works of Peter Williams
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Colla Voce Music, Inc.
4600
Sunset Avenue, Suite 83
Indianapolis, IN 46208
Phone: 317/923-5310 --- Fax: 317/923-5309
All Men Draw Near (SSA, Piano)
Don't Come Followin' Me (SATB, Piano)
In the Bleak Mid-Winter (SSA, Piano)
Lute-Book Carol (SSA, Piano)
Silence (SATB, Piano)
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Fred Bock Music Company
- Order through Hal Leonard -
Agnus Dei (SATB, Piano)
Missa Brevis (SATB)
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