Welcome Saunder Choi!

Contributing Editor: Jonathan Campbell

Graphite proudly welcomes Los Angeles-based Filipino composer and choral artist Saunder Choi to Graphite Marketplace! His works have been performed internationally by various groups including Conspirare, the Philippine Madrigal Singers, Santa Fe Desert Chorale, Los Angeles Master Chorale, Pacific Chorale, World Youth Choir, Brightwork New Music, People Inside Electronics, and many others. As an arranger and orchestrator, Saunder has written for Tony-Award winner Lea Salonga, Singapore Symphony Orchestra, San Francisco Symphony Orchestra, Orquestra Filarmónica Portuguesa, Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles, and other leading ensembles.

Saunder believes in music as advocacy, using the media as a platform for diversity, equity, inclusion, justice. His compositions are focused on narratives and conversations surrounding immigration, racial justice, LGBTQ+ advocacy, climate justice, and representations of his identity as a Filipino-Chinese. He is currently Director of Music at Unitarian Universalist Community Church of Santa Monica and a teaching artist with the Los Angeles Master Chorale.

A Journey of Your Own
SATB div. a cappella

Difficulty:

Embark on the captivating musical narrative of “A Journey of Your Own,” a commissioned piece by the Los Angeles Master Chorale, that beautifully intertwines the heartfelt stories of two poets from the two cities that the composer calls home: Manila and Los Angeles.

This extraordinary composition invites you to reflect on the transformative power of community, love, and courage as it explores the evolving concept of home and the profound connections we forge along our personal journeys. With evocative harmonies and a forward rhythmic drive, this unforgettable piece will stir your soul and inspire you to embrace your own path, guided by love and courage.

Release
TTB(B) and piano

Difficulty:

Discover “Release,” a captivating tenor-bass honor choir piece that challenges society’s narrow view of masculinity. Through collaboration with trans, queer femme, two-spirit poet Amir Rabiyah, it delves into the multifaceted spectrum of gender identities.

Experience the expressive piano, where rigid patterns clash with a rebellious undertone, symbolizing the breaking of societal norms. Commissioned by the California Choral Directors Association for the All-State Tenor Bass Choir, “Release” premiered at the 2023 CASMEC Conference, delivering a powerful message of strength and vulnerability.

Verum Corpus
SATB with string quartet

Difficulty:

“Verum Corpus” is a captivating and thought-provoking work for choir and string quartet that delves into the themes of transformation, resilience, and self-discovery.

Inspired by the mythological tale of Caeneus from Ovid’s Metamorphosis as well as reimagining the sacred Ave Verum Corpus text, the work explores the experiences of queer and transgender individuals in the face of trauma and marginalization, while also highlighting the power of chosen families and love in finding freedom, self-acceptance, and attaining one’s “true body.” 

A West Coast premiere of “Verum Corpus” performed by SACRA/PROFANA; Juan Carlos Acosta, conductor. 

Welcome Table
SATB a cappella

Difficulty:

Experience the moving and thought-provoking composition, “Welcome Table,” which delves into the complex experiences of a BIPOC, gay immigrant yearning for acceptance in a country facing heightened tensions around immigration.

Inspired by the civil rights spiritual “I’m Gonna Sit at the Welcome Table,” this powerful piece offers a profound perspective, inviting reflection on the challenges of navigating identity, xenophobia, and the hope for a future where inclusivity and belonging prevail. Join us on a transformative musical journey that encourages dialogue and empathy, reminding us of the importance of creating a welcoming space for all.

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Join Jocelyn Hagen and Eugene Rogers for a virtual Q&A about AMASS.

Jocelyn Hagen and Eugene Rogers will celebrate the recent album release of this work by the University of Michigan Chamber Choir with a conversation on Zoom. Register for free here!

About the album and AMASS: “GRAMMY-nominated conductor Eugene Rogers brings to life Jocelyn Hagen’s setting of the Roman Catholic Mass in AMASS. This work stands apart from the Mass settings of other composers who have practiced this centuries-old genre, including Johann Sebastian Bach and Franz Joseph Haydn. While the music relies on the traditional Mass structure, it incorporates the spiritual writings of a diverse group of thinkers, ranging from a Muslim woman writing in the sixth century to a German theologian tried as a heretic 500 years later. In this way, the music is less about a particular religion but instead reaches toward the ineffable.”

Our Contributing Editor

Jonathan Campbell, BA, MSM, DMA, currently serves as Director of Music at Zion Lutheran Church, Anoka, MN., and is a Contributing Editor for Graphite Publishing. His music publishers include Augsburg Fortress, Concordia, Morningstar, GIA, Sacred Music Press, and Falls House. He won first prize in the Morningside Choral Composition Contest and was also awarded a Faith Partner’s Residency with the American Composer’s Forum. Jonathan has served many churches, conducted the Chorale of the Honors Choirs S.E. MN for eight years, and has served on the faculties of Winona State University, Augsburg University, and Pomona College.