Keith Lay, Composer - Christmas Music for Orlando Chorale!

Gregory Ruffer, the Director and Co-founder of the fine Orlando Chorale has asked that I submit a new Christmas work for this year's December 4th concert under the auspices of their Emerging Composer's Initiative program. Though I am further along in my career as a composer than the ideal candidate would be, I am grateful for his offer - and, especially a performance.

So, what to write? Not an easy choice. Christmas is a holiday season that connects us with so many sentimental and deep seated emotions - and all of these are entwined with music. Do these audiences want to hear something new? Not really - they want to come and connect with the spirit of Christmas as they know it. So, should I set a familiar carol? Should I set and unfamiliar carol? Should I create something new, instead? If it is a new composition, what can I produce that would please an Orlando Christmas audience as well as myself?

How do I personally feel about Christmas? I love this time of year. I love the story of Christ's birth and understand the sanctity of that beautiful myth. I love the concept of birth in the midst of the death of winter; as told in the myriad of stories from ancient times through the present. Should I write a secular piece with Winter Solstice lyrics? Where will I find these lyrics? Which would balance the concert best? A slow, beautiful work a la Whitacre? Or, a joyful happy work?

Whatever it is, I must have the work completed by October 1st.

That will not be easy, as my online classes are absorbing almost all of my time at home.......