Fête is the “scherzo” movement from the King Arthur Suite, although can also be performed as a stand-alone tone poem (Tone Poem No. 7). This movement tells the story of the first meeting of King Arthur and Guinevere at a feast.

“At every moment there is a potent direction, a flow that informs the listener that something interesting is happening now…”
—Dr. Gary D. Cannon, director Emerald Ensemble & Cascadian Chorale
Welcome ACDA 2021!
Thank you for stopping by!
I hope you’ll take some time to look at some of my scores. Please reach out if you have any questions or if you would like to work together!
It was good seeing friends and meeting new colleagues at the MusicSpoke Meet the Composer session, and the Music Spoke Reading Session from Saturday March 20, 2021.
If you missed me, we can still meet one-on-one over Zoom! Just make a reservation on my Calendly page.
Guest on “Moveable Do” Podcast!
Listen here:
-
The Movable Do podcast (October 27, 2020) “Composer and conductor Steve Danielson interviews other living composers to learn about their journeys, successes, and learning experiences.
“This week, Hawaii-based composer Chris Fraley discusses how his background as a math and science wiz influences his love for counterpoint. Featured in this episode: Eire’s Call, The Plains, Hine Ma Tov, and the premiere of the recording of A Light Exists In Spring. Plus, experimentations with Just Intonation.”
For more information about any of the featured pieces, click below:
- Eire’s Call (Tone Poem No. 3)
- The Plains (SATB)
- Hine ma tov (SATB, SATB & Piano, SAA & Piano)
- A Light exists in Spring (SATB)
Pitch Matters
A blog about how music works, focusing on an experiential approach to how sounds combine. Visit PitchMatters.com and learn why pitch matters!
A Random Sampler
Golden Stars
The first (of now many) settings of poems by Adela Florence Nicolson. Written in a freeform, meterless manner, allowing great freedom of expression by the performers.
a cappella, Adela Florence Nicolson, English, India's Love Lyrics, SATBIsle of Avalon (Tone Poem No. 5)
Isle of Avalon is the final movement from the King Arthur Suite, although can also be performed as a stand-alone tone poem (Tone Poem No. 5). This movement tells the story of the mysterious Isle of Avalon from the King Arthur legends.
King Arthur, Orchestra, Tone PoemAus alten Märchen
A charming setting of Heinrich Heine’s (1797-1856) famous poem for unaccompanied SATB choir.
a cappella, German, Heinrich Heine, SATBA Light exists in Spring
On the surface, “A Light exists in Spring” captures Emily Dickinson’s feelings during an ephemeral experience of Nature—that particular light that is unique to early Spring. But there is a wonderful depth in her writing, including insights about how Nature moves us to feel, the relationship between contentment and Nature, and our experience of the passing of the intangible.
a cappella, Emily Dickinson, English, Nature, SATB