New Album Release!

‘Harsh Things to Beauty’ started as a recording project during the height of the pandemic. I saw my singer colleagues suddenly and devastatingly out of work. Choirs weren’t meeting. Concerts weren’t happening. I had the good fortune to be gainfully employed through my church, but I still took a hit as my music sales, concerts, and premieres all dried up as well.

Through help from grants from the Minnesota State Arts Board and Ramsey County, I had the means to record many of my solo compositions that had been previously unrecorded. Since this was pre-vaccine, all were able to be safe by recording in separate rooms at Wild Sound. We eventually did some on-site recording at churches with no one else around. Some of the piano tuning (or lack thereof) in the live recordings is evidence of this fallow time.

When I made these recordings I had no plans to make an album. However, in the editing process as I was working with the sound engineer, I realized what I had and wanted it to reach more people. Thanks to the many individuals who donated to this project, ‘Harsh Things to Beauty’ was created.

This collection of songs is eclectic, and a good introduction to my range as a composer. Traditional art song (written to be sung in recital, typically with piano accompaniment and often set to a poem) is well represented, but I have also included pieces that would be comfortable in a jazz club or theater. Most of the lyricists/poets have Minnesota connections, and I have been honored to have collaborated with many of them.