Into this Universe
for satb
2009
From the Rubáiyát of Omar Khayyám, this is one stanza of the greater work. Set to music in 2010 this work went on to secure Keith’s place as the SAMRO Overseas scholarship winner in the same year. The quatrains were translated by Edward FitzGerald and published in 1859.
The stanza reflects on the fragility of life, and its momentary flicker, souls passing in and out of existence, like wind along the waste.
A serious piece intended to be part of a larger set by the work of the Persian polymath.
Drie Haikoes vir die Reisiger
for satb
2009
A setting of three haikus by Linette van der Merwe, the poem is written in the poet’s mother tongue, Afrikaans. Three Haiku’s for a traveller implores the traveller on their journey to remember from where they came. The full-moon nights, light pouring through thorny branches, and the sun swept ground, with green trees, awaiting the travellers return.
Tall Ship
for satb
2015
From the collected poems of Annwen Bates, Tall Ship is a setting of one of her shorter poems reflecting on the Greenwich Tall Ship festival. Something stirred a yearning in the poet to get out and catch “high winds”.
A successful opening work for any concert and easily accessible to high school choirs as well.
ssaattbb
Wynken, Blynken & Nod
for ssaattbb
2021
Written in 2021 as part of the submission to the National Choral Composition Competition, by Choirs Aotearoa New Zealand Trust.
Currently in adjudication