CHORAL - ORIGINAL WORKS
A Babe Is Born, All of a May (2011)
Scoring: SATB
Commissioned: The Family of Sara Blosser Melson for CANW
Premiere: Choral Arts Northwest, Robert Bode, conductor
St. Joesph’s Parish, Seattle WA
Duration: 5’
Published by Galaxy Music of ECS SKU: 1.3481
Scoring: SATB
Commissioned: The Family of Sara Blosser Melson for CANW
Premiere: Choral Arts Northwest, Robert Bode, conductor
St. Joesph’s Parish, Seattle WA
Duration: 5’
Published by Galaxy Music of ECS SKU: 1.3481
William Averitt - Track
A Boy Is Born in Bethlehem (2010)
Scoring: SATB
Premiere: Winchester Musica Viva, Kenneth Nafziger, conductor
Grace Lutheran Church, Winchester VA
Duration: 4’ 30”
Published by Galaxy Music of ECS SKU: 1.3482
Scoring: SATB
Premiere: Winchester Musica Viva, Kenneth Nafziger, conductor
Grace Lutheran Church, Winchester VA
Duration: 4’ 30”
Published by Galaxy Music of ECS SKU: 1.3482
William Averitt - Track
Afro-American Fragments (1991)
[Poems by Langston Hughes]
1. Wonder
2. When Sue Wears Red
3. Dream Dust
4. Song for Billie Holiday
5. Feet o’ Jesus
6. Fire!
Scoring: soprano solo, SATB & piano 4-hands
Commissioned: Winchester Musica Viva
1st Prize: 1992 Roger Wagner Center Choral Composition Competition
Premiere: Winchester Musica Viva, WIlliam Averitt, conductor
Market Street UMC, Winchester VA, May 1991
Duration: 16’
Published by ECS, #7144
Recordings: UMKC Conservatory Singers The Deepness of the Blue MSR 1509
Conspirare ...through the green fuse… Clarion CLR915CD
[Poems by Langston Hughes]
1. Wonder
2. When Sue Wears Red
3. Dream Dust
4. Song for Billie Holiday
5. Feet o’ Jesus
6. Fire!
Scoring: soprano solo, SATB & piano 4-hands
Commissioned: Winchester Musica Viva
1st Prize: 1992 Roger Wagner Center Choral Composition Competition
Premiere: Winchester Musica Viva, WIlliam Averitt, conductor
Market Street UMC, Winchester VA, May 1991
Duration: 16’
Published by ECS, #7144
Recordings: UMKC Conservatory Singers The Deepness of the Blue MSR 1509
Conspirare ...through the green fuse… Clarion CLR915CD
William Averitt - Playlist
Against Forgetting (1995)
[Poems by Polish Holocaust Victims & Vulgate]
1. In the dark times
2. How can I see you, Love
3. Written in pencil
4. At first it seemed
5. Never shall I forget
6. O, the night
7. Smoke rose in the garden
8. I believe in the sun
8a. Interlude
9. Gently, Lord
Scoring: 8 solo voices [S S A Ct T T B B] & solo flute
Premiere: Frances Lapp Averitt, flute & Consort of Voices, William Averitt, conductor
Contemporary American Theater Festival,
Shepherdstown WV, July, 1995
Duration: 23’
Available from the Composer
[Poems by Polish Holocaust Victims & Vulgate]
1. In the dark times
2. How can I see you, Love
3. Written in pencil
4. At first it seemed
5. Never shall I forget
6. O, the night
7. Smoke rose in the garden
8. I believe in the sun
8a. Interlude
9. Gently, Lord
Scoring: 8 solo voices [S S A Ct T T B B] & solo flute
Premiere: Frances Lapp Averitt, flute & Consort of Voices, William Averitt, conductor
Contemporary American Theater Festival,
Shepherdstown WV, July, 1995
Duration: 23’
Available from the Composer
Ayres and Dances (1986) [Poems by Dowland]
1. Intrada
2. Ayre #1: Come, Heavy Sleep
3. Dance #1: Sarabande
4. Ayre #2: Weep You No More, Sad Fountains
5. Dance #2: Pavanne
6. Dance #3: Galliard
7. Ayre #3: Go, Mighty Cares
Scoring: SATB, flute, violin, cello & harpsichord
Commissioned: WInchester Musica Viva
Premiere: Frances Lapp Averitt, flute; Robert Larkin, violin; Allen Whear, cello & Sue Marston Boyd, harpsichord
WInchester Musica Viva, WIlliam Averitt, conductor
Market Street UMC, Winchester VA, March 1986
Duration: ca. 20’
Available from the Composer
1. Intrada
2. Ayre #1: Come, Heavy Sleep
3. Dance #1: Sarabande
4. Ayre #2: Weep You No More, Sad Fountains
5. Dance #2: Pavanne
6. Dance #3: Galliard
7. Ayre #3: Go, Mighty Cares
Scoring: SATB, flute, violin, cello & harpsichord
Commissioned: WInchester Musica Viva
Premiere: Frances Lapp Averitt, flute; Robert Larkin, violin; Allen Whear, cello & Sue Marston Boyd, harpsichord
WInchester Musica Viva, WIlliam Averitt, conductor
Market Street UMC, Winchester VA, March 1986
Duration: ca. 20’
Available from the Composer
Black Pierrot (2017) [Poems by Langton Hughes]
1. A Black Pierrot
2. Breath of a Rose
3. Jazzonia
4. Justice
5. Song for a Dark Girl
6. Silhouette
7. To a Dead Friend
Scoring: soprano solo, SATB, flute, clarinet, violin, cello, piano & percussion
Commissioned: Sinquefield Charitable Foundation through the Mizzou New Music Initiative
Premiere: University of Missouri University Singers &
Mizzou New Music Ensemble, Paul Crabb, conductor
First Baptist Church, Columbia MO, March 2017
Duration: ca. 30’
Published by ECS, #8828
1. A Black Pierrot
2. Breath of a Rose
3. Jazzonia
4. Justice
5. Song for a Dark Girl
6. Silhouette
7. To a Dead Friend
Scoring: soprano solo, SATB, flute, clarinet, violin, cello, piano & percussion
Commissioned: Sinquefield Charitable Foundation through the Mizzou New Music Initiative
Premiere: University of Missouri University Singers &
Mizzou New Music Ensemble, Paul Crabb, conductor
First Baptist Church, Columbia MO, March 2017
Duration: ca. 30’
Published by ECS, #8828
William Averitt - Playlist
Easter, 1906 (2019) [Text by Robert Bode]
Scoring: SATB, piano 4-hands & 2 percussionists
16 movements
Commissioned: Missouri State University
Premiere: Missouri State University Chorale,
Cameron LaBarr, conductor
Missouri State University, Springfield MO, February 2020
Duration: 50 minutes
Available from the Composer
Scoring: SATB, piano 4-hands & 2 percussionists
16 movements
Commissioned: Missouri State University
Premiere: Missouri State University Chorale,
Cameron LaBarr, conductor
Missouri State University, Springfield MO, February 2020
Duration: 50 minutes
Available from the Composer
William Averitt - Playlist
From Dreams (2011) [Poems by James Joyce]
1. Gentle lady, do not sing Sad songs
2. Sleep now, O sleep now
3. O cool is the valley
Scoring: SSA, flute & viola
Commissioned: Texas Lutheran University
Premiere: TLU Women’s Chorus, Douglas Boyer, conductor
Festival Hall, Round Top Music Institute, Round Top TX
Duration: 9’
Published by ECS, #8023
1. Gentle lady, do not sing Sad songs
2. Sleep now, O sleep now
3. O cool is the valley
Scoring: SSA, flute & viola
Commissioned: Texas Lutheran University
Premiere: TLU Women’s Chorus, Douglas Boyer, conductor
Festival Hall, Round Top Music Institute, Round Top TX
Duration: 9’
Published by ECS, #8023
William Averitt - Playlist
In the Bleak Midwinter (2011) [Poem by C Rossetti]
Scoring: SATB
Commissioned: The Family of Sara Blosser Melson for CANW
Premiere: Cascadian Chorale, Gary D. Cannon, conductor
Medina WA, December 2016
Duration: 4’30”
Available from the Composer
Scoring: SATB
Commissioned: The Family of Sara Blosser Melson for CANW
Premiere: Cascadian Chorale, Gary D. Cannon, conductor
Medina WA, December 2016
Duration: 4’30”
Available from the Composer
Lullaby Beneath the Storm (2017)
[Poems by Robert Bode]
1. Sister of the Wind
2. The Angel Gabriel to Mary
3. Bethlehem
Scoring: SATB & string quartet
Commissioned: South Bend Chamber Singers
Premiere: South Bend Chamber Singers, Nancy Menk, conductor
Church of Our Lady of Loretto, South Bend IN, December 2017
Duration: 14’
Available from the Composer
[Poems by Robert Bode]
1. Sister of the Wind
2. The Angel Gabriel to Mary
3. Bethlehem
Scoring: SATB & string quartet
Commissioned: South Bend Chamber Singers
Premiere: South Bend Chamber Singers, Nancy Menk, conductor
Church of Our Lady of Loretto, South Bend IN, December 2017
Duration: 14’
Available from the Composer
William Averitt - Playlist
Magnificat/Arise (1990)
Scoring: SATB & solo flute
Commissioned: Winchester Musica Viva
Premiere: Winchester Musica Viva, William Averitt, conductor
Romsey Abbey, Romsey (England), June 1990
Duration: 3’
Available from the Composer
Scoring: SATB & solo flute
Commissioned: Winchester Musica Viva
Premiere: Winchester Musica Viva, William Averitt, conductor
Romsey Abbey, Romsey (England), June 1990
Duration: 3’
Available from the Composer
…not a breath divides… (2019)
[Poems by Sara Teasdale]
1. Across the dimly lighted room
2. Breve Interludio (solo piano)
3. We held the book together
Scoring: SATB, violin, double bass, accordion & piano
Commissioned: Texas Lutheran University School of Music
Premiere: TLU Choir, Douglas Boyer, conductor
(Delayed by coronavirus)
Duration: 9’
Available from the Composer
[Poems by Sara Teasdale]
1. Across the dimly lighted room
2. Breve Interludio (solo piano)
3. We held the book together
Scoring: SATB, violin, double bass, accordion & piano
Commissioned: Texas Lutheran University School of Music
Premiere: TLU Choir, Douglas Boyer, conductor
(Delayed by coronavirus)
Duration: 9’
Available from the Composer
Nunc Dimittis/Arise (1990)
Scoring: SATB & solo flute
Commissioned: Winchester Musica Viva
Premiere: Winchester Musica Viva, William Averitt, conductor
Market Street UMC, Winchester VA, March 1990
Duration: 7’
Available from the Composer
Scoring: SATB & solo flute
Commissioned: Winchester Musica Viva
Premiere: Winchester Musica Viva, William Averitt, conductor
Market Street UMC, Winchester VA, March 1990
Duration: 7’
Available from the Composer
William Averitt - Track
Ocean Dance (2012) [Poem by Robert Bode]
Scoring: SATB & piano 4-hands
Commissioned: Choral Arts Northwest (Seattle WA)
Premiere: Choral Arts Northwest, Robert Bode, conductor
St. Marks Cathedral, Seattle WA. May 2012
Duration: 4’
Published by ECS, #8025
Scoring: SATB & piano 4-hands
Commissioned: Choral Arts Northwest (Seattle WA)
Premiere: Choral Arts Northwest, Robert Bode, conductor
St. Marks Cathedral, Seattle WA. May 2012
Duration: 4’
Published by ECS, #8025
William Averitt - Track
O Vos Omnes (1973)
Scoring: SATB
Winner: 1978 ACDA Southern Division Choral Composition Contest
Premiere: Loyola University Chorale, Larry Wyatt, conductor
ACDA Southern Division Convention, Atlanta GA, March 1978
Duration: 4’15”
Published: Hinshaw HMC-314 (OP) - Available from the Composer
Scoring: SATB
Winner: 1978 ACDA Southern Division Choral Composition Contest
Premiere: Loyola University Chorale, Larry Wyatt, conductor
ACDA Southern Division Convention, Atlanta GA, March 1978
Duration: 4’15”
Published: Hinshaw HMC-314 (OP) - Available from the Composer
Sea Poems (2015)
1. Ah! what pleasant visions haunt me [Longfellow]
2. O, train me not, sweet mermaid [Shakespeare]
3. Lowlands Away [Sea Shanty, alt.]
4. Goodbye, Fare Thee Well [Sea Shanty, alt.]
Scoring: SATB & solo cello
Commissioned: Bradley University School of Music
Premiere: Bradley University Chorale, John Jost, conductor
Bradley University, Peoria IL, March 2015
Tour of Denmark, May-June 2015
Duration: ca. 19’
Available from the Composer
1. Ah! what pleasant visions haunt me [Longfellow]
2. O, train me not, sweet mermaid [Shakespeare]
3. Lowlands Away [Sea Shanty, alt.]
4. Goodbye, Fare Thee Well [Sea Shanty, alt.]
Scoring: SATB & solo cello
Commissioned: Bradley University School of Music
Premiere: Bradley University Chorale, John Jost, conductor
Bradley University, Peoria IL, March 2015
Tour of Denmark, May-June 2015
Duration: ca. 19’
Available from the Composer
William Averitt - Playlist
Te lucis ante terminum (2001)
Scoring: SATB
Commissioned: The Shenandoah Conservatory Chamber Choir
Premiere: The SU Chamber Choir, Robert Shafer, conductor
Goodson Recital Hall, Shenandoah Conservatory, Winchester VA, April 2001
Tour of Italy, May-June 2001
Duration: 3’45”
Published by ECS, #7113
Scoring: SATB
Commissioned: The Shenandoah Conservatory Chamber Choir
Premiere: The SU Chamber Choir, Robert Shafer, conductor
Goodson Recital Hall, Shenandoah Conservatory, Winchester VA, April 2001
Tour of Italy, May-June 2001
Duration: 3’45”
Published by ECS, #7113
William Averitt - Track
The Deepness of the Blue (2011)
[Poems by Langston Hughes]
1. New Moon
2. My Loves
3. Poem [To F. S.]
4. Drum
5. Danse Africaine
Scoring: SATB & piano 4-hands
Commissioned: Texas Lutheran University School of Music
Premiere: TLU Choir, Douglas Boyer, conductor
Festival Hall, Round Top Music Institute, Round Top TX
Duration: 15’
Published by ECS, #8017
Recording: UMKC Conservatory Singers The Deepness of the Blue MSR 1509
[Poems by Langston Hughes]
1. New Moon
2. My Loves
3. Poem [To F. S.]
4. Drum
5. Danse Africaine
Scoring: SATB & piano 4-hands
Commissioned: Texas Lutheran University School of Music
Premiere: TLU Choir, Douglas Boyer, conductor
Festival Hall, Round Top Music Institute, Round Top TX
Duration: 15’
Published by ECS, #8017
Recording: UMKC Conservatory Singers The Deepness of the Blue MSR 1509
William Averitt - Playlist
The Dream Keeper (2009)
[Poems by Langston Hughes]
1. The Dream Keeper
2. Dream Variations
3. As I Grew Older
4. Song
Scoring: SATB & piano 4-hands
Commissioned: Choral Arts Northwest(Seattle WA)
Premiere: CANW, Robert Bode, conductor
Plymouth Congregational Church, Seattle WA &
Christ Episcopal Church, Tacoma WA, May 2009
Duration: 15’
Published by ECS, #7628
Recordings: Choral Arts Mornings Like This Gothic G-19273
UMKC Conservatory Singers The Deepness of the Blue
MSR 1509
[Poems by Langston Hughes]
1. The Dream Keeper
2. Dream Variations
3. As I Grew Older
4. Song
Scoring: SATB & piano 4-hands
Commissioned: Choral Arts Northwest(Seattle WA)
Premiere: CANW, Robert Bode, conductor
Plymouth Congregational Church, Seattle WA &
Christ Episcopal Church, Tacoma WA, May 2009
Duration: 15’
Published by ECS, #7628
Recordings: Choral Arts Mornings Like This Gothic G-19273
UMKC Conservatory Singers The Deepness of the Blue
MSR 1509
William Averitt - Playlist
The Song We Sing (2019) SATB & piano 4-hands
[Poems by Robert Bode]
1. Let’s Move to the Sea
2. The Song We Sings
3. Morning Dance
Scoring: SATB & piano 4-hands
Commissioned: Arts Chorale of Winchester
Premiere: Arts Chorale of Winchester, Michael Main, conductor
(Delayed by coronavirus)
Duration: 13’
Available from the Composer
[Poems by Robert Bode]
1. Let’s Move to the Sea
2. The Song We Sings
3. Morning Dance
Scoring: SATB & piano 4-hands
Commissioned: Arts Chorale of Winchester
Premiere: Arts Chorale of Winchester, Michael Main, conductor
(Delayed by coronavirus)
Duration: 13’
Available from the Composer
The Way of Memories (1974)
[Poems by James Joyce]
1. Rain Has Fallen
2. I Hear an Army
3. All Day I Hear
Scoring: SATB & piano
Premiere: Shenandoah Chamber Chorus,
David Stutzenburger, conductor
Armstrong Auditorium, Winchester VA, October 1974
Duration: ca. 10’
Available from the Composer
[Poems by James Joyce]
1. Rain Has Fallen
2. I Hear an Army
3. All Day I Hear
Scoring: SATB & piano
Premiere: Shenandoah Chamber Chorus,
David Stutzenburger, conductor
Armstrong Auditorium, Winchester VA, October 1974
Duration: ca. 10’
Available from the Composer
Tidings True (1986) [Anonymous Medieval English Poems]
1. Adam Lay Ybounden
2. The Salutation Carol
3. Lullay, My Liking
4. Jesu, As Thou Art Our Saviour
Scoring: SATB
Commissioned: Winchester Musica Viva
Premiere: Winchester Musica Viva, William Averitt, conductor
Market Street UMC, Winchester VA, December 1986
Duration: ca. 12’
Available from the Composer
1. Adam Lay Ybounden
2. The Salutation Carol
3. Lullay, My Liking
4. Jesu, As Thou Art Our Saviour
Scoring: SATB
Commissioned: Winchester Musica Viva
Premiere: Winchester Musica Viva, William Averitt, conductor
Market Street UMC, Winchester VA, December 1986
Duration: ca. 12’
Available from the Composer
Traveling Home: An American Requiem (2010)
1a. Wayfaring Stranger
1b. Requiem & Kyrie
2a. Messiah (v. 1 & 2 - “He comes! He comes!”)
2b. Dies Irae
2c. Messiah (v. 3)
3a. Sanctus
3b. My Home (“O for a thousand tongues to sing”)
4a. Lux Aeterna
4b. Hallelujah! (“O let this feeble body fail”)
Scoring: SSAATTBB
Premiere: Choral Arts Northwest, Robert Bode, conductor
St. Leo’s Church, Tacoma WA &
St Mark’s Cathedral, Seattle WA, March 2011
Duration: 30’
Available from the Composer
1a. Wayfaring Stranger
1b. Requiem & Kyrie
2a. Messiah (v. 1 & 2 - “He comes! He comes!”)
2b. Dies Irae
2c. Messiah (v. 3)
3a. Sanctus
3b. My Home (“O for a thousand tongues to sing”)
4a. Lux Aeterna
4b. Hallelujah! (“O let this feeble body fail”)
Scoring: SSAATTBB
Premiere: Choral Arts Northwest, Robert Bode, conductor
St. Leo’s Church, Tacoma WA &
St Mark’s Cathedral, Seattle WA, March 2011
Duration: 30’
Available from the Composer
William Averitt - Playlist
Two Motets for Christmas (1980)
1. O Magnum Mysterium
2. Hodie Christus Natus Est
Scoring: women's chorus & 3 flutes
Commissioned: Cantus Singers
Premiere: Cantus Singers & Shenandoah Flute Ensemble,
James Laster, conductor
Goodson Recital Hall, Winchester VA, December 1980
Duration: ca. 9’
Available from the Composer
1. O Magnum Mysterium
2. Hodie Christus Natus Est
Scoring: women's chorus & 3 flutes
Commissioned: Cantus Singers
Premiere: Cantus Singers & Shenandoah Flute Ensemble,
James Laster, conductor
Goodson Recital Hall, Winchester VA, December 1980
Duration: ca. 9’
Available from the Composer
Veni, Sancte Spiritus (2001)
Scoring: tenor solo & SATB
Commissioned: Murray State University Concert Choir
Premiere: Randall Black, tenor; MSU Concert Choir,
Bradley Almquist, conductor
Lovett Auditorium, Murray KY, November 2001
Duration: 6’30”
Published by ECS, #7112
Scoring: tenor solo & SATB
Commissioned: Murray State University Concert Choir
Premiere: Randall Black, tenor; MSU Concert Choir,
Bradley Almquist, conductor
Lovett Auditorium, Murray KY, November 2001
Duration: 6’30”
Published by ECS, #7112
William Averitt - Track
We Are Held (2013) [Poem by Robert Bode]
Scoring: SATB, flute (or alto saxophone) & organ
Commissioned: Mid-Atlantic AGO
Premiere: Frances Lapp Averitt, flute; Jeremy Filsell, organ
Mid-Atlantic AGO Conference Chorus, William Averitt, conductor
Braddock Street UMC, Winchester VA, July 2013
Premiere: Irvin Peterson, alto saxophone
The Choir of the Church of the Epiphany, Washington DC
Jeremy Filsell, conductor
Duration: ca. 4’20”
Available from the Composer
Recording: The Choir of the Church of the Epiphany Epiphany
Raven OAR-966
Scoring: SATB, flute (or alto saxophone) & organ
Commissioned: Mid-Atlantic AGO
Premiere: Frances Lapp Averitt, flute; Jeremy Filsell, organ
Mid-Atlantic AGO Conference Chorus, William Averitt, conductor
Braddock Street UMC, Winchester VA, July 2013
Premiere: Irvin Peterson, alto saxophone
The Choir of the Church of the Epiphany, Washington DC
Jeremy Filsell, conductor
Duration: ca. 4’20”
Available from the Composer
Recording: The Choir of the Church of the Epiphany Epiphany
Raven OAR-966
William Averitt - Track
Where Can I Find Him? (2118)
[Poem by Robert Bode]
Scoring: SATB & piano 4-hands
Commissioned: Texas Lutheran University School of Music
Premiere: TLU Choir, Douglas Boyer, conductor
Texas Lutheran University, December, 2018
Duration: 7’
Available from the Composer
[Poem by Robert Bode]
Scoring: SATB & piano 4-hands
Commissioned: Texas Lutheran University School of Music
Premiere: TLU Choir, Douglas Boyer, conductor
Texas Lutheran University, December, 2018
Duration: 7’
Available from the Composer
Where Dreams Fly (2016)
[Poems by Robert Bode, after 7 paintings by Marc Chagall]
1. Invocation
2. The Poet’s Choice
3. The Manger Haikus
4. Love Song
5. Night Scherzo
6. In Dreams
7. Inspiration
Commissioned: Texas Lutheran University School of Music
Scoring: SATB & piano 4-hands
Premiere: TLU Choir, Douglas Boyer, conductor
Texas Lutheran University, Seguin TX, April 2015
Duration: ca. 23’
Published by ECS, #8656
[Poems by Robert Bode, after 7 paintings by Marc Chagall]
1. Invocation
2. The Poet’s Choice
3. The Manger Haikus
4. Love Song
5. Night Scherzo
6. In Dreams
7. Inspiration
Commissioned: Texas Lutheran University School of Music
Scoring: SATB & piano 4-hands
Premiere: TLU Choir, Douglas Boyer, conductor
Texas Lutheran University, Seguin TX, April 2015
Duration: ca. 23’
Published by ECS, #8656
William Averitt - Playlist
Whisper of the Dance (2017 [[Poem by Robert Bode]
Commissioned: Missouri State University Department of Music
Scoring: SATB & piano 4-hands
Premiere: Missouri State University Chorale,
Cameron LaBarr, conductor
Missouri State University, Springfield MO, October 2017
NCCO National Conference, Baton Rouge LA, November 2017
Duration:6’
Published by Walton, #WW1747
Commissioned: Missouri State University Department of Music
Scoring: SATB & piano 4-hands
Premiere: Missouri State University Chorale,
Cameron LaBarr, conductor
Missouri State University, Springfield MO, October 2017
NCCO National Conference, Baton Rouge LA, November 2017
Duration:6’
Published by Walton, #WW1747
William Averitt - Track