The choral compositions of Richard Faith: An exploration of general compositional characteristics as an annotated resource of repertoire suitable for various choral forces.

Abstract

There exists a need to explore the music of living composers--to acknowledge and advocate the merit of his or her own culture as evidenced in musical composition. Richard Bruce Faith is a living American composer who served a tenured position at The University of Arizona from 1961-1988, in the School of Music. The merit of Faith's music has been established through discussion of his compositions in professional music journals, bibliographical reviews, newspaper reviews, and graduate research documents. Many of his songs, piano works and orchestral compositions have been published. His operas have been and are continuing to be performed. Publication of Faith's compositions has historically been achieved after continuing discussion in professional journals and after regular performances have created a demand for his product. The choral works of Richard Faith are not published at this time. The choral compositions are an interesting and varied group. Their quality is consistent within the composer's compositional whole. Seventeen of the eighteen choral works were commissioned by or composed with a specific performing choir in mind. The suitability of these compositions for distinct types of choral forces is an obvious result of Faith's pre-defined compositional strictures. For instance, the four anthems for church choir are less demanding than the Three Songs for Male Chorus, which were written for a semi-professional community chorus. The compositional tools which define Faith's unique style also characterize the musical requirements necessary for a successful performance of the individual works. This measure of requisite musicianship is clear in the choral works. In fact, their origin as commissioned works and the intention of specific musicians to perform the works, determined how Faith would use his compositional tools. The search for new music suited to the abilities of singers and accompanists is an ongoing challenge for many choral conductors. Publication of Richard Faith's choral works would answer the need for new music among the great diversity of choirs. Publication of this interesting compositional body would also acknowledge a fine American composer.