Three Idiomatic Compositional Techniques of Stephen Hatfield

Abstract

Stephen Hatfield is a recognized pioneer in multiculturally influenced choral works and has been in demand internationally as a clinician and conductor. Hatfield has been commissioned to write new pieces for choral groups more than two hundred times in his career. His music is held in esteem by choral conductors throughout the world. This analysis of nine choral works by Stephen Hatfield will reveal three of his idiomatic compositional techniques: 1) combining traditional folk materials with original material or text—or both (the “Hatfield Hybrid”); 2) creating chant and ostinato inspired and influenced by specific music from an ethnocultural style to compose an entirely original work (the “Deep Hatfield Hybrid”); and 3) combining different cultural styles into an original work (the “Cultural Mashup”). Over the course of nine years I have exchanged nearly 700 emails with Stephen Hatfield. In his emails Hatfield explicated his philosophy and approach to composing, as well as describing specific compositional techniques. These emails thus offer a great deal of insight into his compositional approach, and the analysis in this document frequently refers to them.