Collaborations: David Ayers (music & arrangement)
and
Michael Roy (lyrics)
The audio files below are studio recordings (and one live performance) of a series of co-written choral works by David Ayers and MR. Unless otherwise noted, the piano was played by Glenda Curry, who also laid down the soprano vocals. Jan, as usual, provides the alto tracks, and MR has overdubbed the bass and tenor. MR also provided the elec. bass, guitar, and woodwinds.
He's the Rock: This easy-going and easy listening song pairs a great melody with a equally great almost walking-bass line. MR says: this is a fun song for basses.
Changes Have Happened: Contemporary lyrics and interesting musical devices share this one song. Listen for the two-part semi-canon in the middle.
We Thank Thee, Lord, Full Well: Combined choirs at a Thanksgiving choral festival, 1991, performed this anthem: it is
basically a 2-part invention for most of the piece, with flute on the first part, piano on the 2nd. Piano: Diane Maltby; Flute: Doris Hurwitt.
Hear two more Ayers - MR co-written pieces - "I'm Persuaded" and "Very Soon" on the One-Man Choir page:
City of God: The lyric tells a story of the journey to the City of God. This choral piece is a traveloque, and if it's made into a film, it'll be a road trip movie.
Sibelius Workprint - piano- ahs
Jesus Is Mine: Dave may have been not only eating too much pepperoni pizza just before he wrote this one, but also listening
to Dave Brubeck's "Take Five." Whatever the causal factors, this resulted (MR makes a note: "I should have gotten paid time-and-a-half for this lyric!") Sheila sings the soprano lead.
One Man: many provocative time-changes make this choral work interesting. The piano score is particularly inspired as to rhymthic style.
Lord of the Harvest: MR and his '70's era singing partner, Sheila Marchant Barish, overdubbed the vocals to this
choral piece. Sheila also graciously provided the piano accompaniment. Listen to a song, haunting and poignant, about the seeking of souls, already white unto harvest.