St. Peter’s Basilica, Rome, Italy (photo credit Joel Love)

Musica Dei, donum optmi was my first piece for large ensemble, written in 2005 for the Lamar Unversity A Capella Choir. In 2013, I transcribed it for Wind Ensemble. The text was especially striking to me:

LATIN:

Musica Dei, donum optimi,

trahit homines, trahit deos.

Musica truces millit animos,

tristesque mentes erigit,

vel ipsas arbores,et horridas movet feras

ENGLISH:

Music, gift of the Highest God,

attracts men, attracts the gods.

Music calms sad spirits,

and calms sad minds.

Music even stirs the trees,

and calms wild beasts.

Premiere Date:

            2.2.13 University of Texas WE Players