COMMISSION SPOTLIGHT
"Prophetiae Merlini"
commissioned by Ellen Boyer and Tamara (Grove) Williams,
Traverse City Central HS Symphonic Orchestra and Chorale
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Fire and brimstone await you in this epic piece based on ancient texts attributed to Merlin. (Yes, that Merlin!) Written for Full Orchestra and SATB choir (with divisi) this piece features chanting, visceral and driving rhythms, a lush middle section, and a bombastic conclusion that will leave audiences on their feet!
(Concert Band accompaniment now available.) Please feel free to email with questions or inquiries. Click here for a video of the score. |
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Ellen Boyer received her Bachelor of Music Education from Northern Michigan University. She received a Master of Music Degree in Violin Performance from Southern Illinois University. While at SIU Ellen studied with John Kendall, a pedagogue whose influence is still felt today. She has taught in St. Louis, Mo. at the Conservatory and School for the Arts and in Los Angeles in the Preparatory Division of the University of Southern California. In June of 2015, she retired from a 28 year career of teaching orchestra in the Traverse City Area Public Schools. During that time her groups consistently received superior ratings at festival, played at numerous Michigan Music Conferences, performed at the 2010 American String Teacher's National Conference in San Francisco and at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. in 2014. For several years Ellen served on the String Educator's Panel for the Yamaha Corporation.
Please feel free to email with questions or inquiries. |
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Tamara (Grove) Williams has served as Director of Choirs at Central High School in Traverse City, Michigan since 2006. Previously she served as Director of Choirs at Christa McAuliffe Middle School and John Glenn High School in Bay City; Interim Choir Director at Carman-Ainsworth schools in Flint; and Church Choir Director at the Presbyterian Church of Okemos. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Music Education in 2004 and Master’s degree in Choral Conducting in 2014, both from Michigan State University. Tamara is a long-standing member of ACDA and serves as Manager of District two for MSVMA. Mrs. (Grove) Williams was the 2017 SATB MSVMA Honors Choir Director at the Michigan Music Conference and has led her students in performance tours to New York, Washington DC, Chicago, Toronto, Salzburg, Vienna, Tallinn, Riga, Munich, Garmisch, Rome, Venice, Florence and Prague.
Please feel free to email with questions or inquiries. |
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"The excitement for this project started from the first conversation about the possibilities and extended well beyond the performance. Students were involved in raising funds for the project as well as involved in the compositional process. As the students got involved in the project, they started to ask questions about this piece but also asked questions regarding standard literature. This led to a whole new level of inquiry. All of us gained respect for the art of composing and the role and responsibility of the performing artist."
– Ellen Boyer
"Jeffrey Cobb’s masterpiece, "Prophetiae Merlini" was a powerful, intense, educational experience for the 100-plus high school students in our choir, band and orchestra programs. The historical background and mysterious nature of the prophecies of Merlin automatically captured the interest of students and directors. This work takes the performers and audience on an artistic journey that illustrates the magical essence of this mighty wizard Cobb’s brilliant use of dramatic shifts in texture, instrumentation, dynamics, rhythmic figures and tempo created an obtainable challenge for our students. Being able to collaborate with Jeffrey Cobb on this work was a memorable experience for all of us. His understanding of choral and instrumental ensembles’ success dictates the incredible writing he creates for combined ensembles. He is humble, relates well to students and creates an environment of excellence in any clinic setting."
– Tamara (Grove) Williams