On Music graphic

CFAMC Listening Page #87

First issued January 15, 2012

A monthly musical offering by a composer member of the Christian Fellowship of Art Music Composers.
Both your listening and comments are encouraged.

Shawn Okpebholo

On Music

Songs 1, 2, 3, and 5 of the song cycle

Performed by

Tamara Wilson, Soprano
Anthony Taylor, Clarinet
Sha Wang, Piano

To view a PDF copy of the score while you listen, first download the score.

Program Notes

“On Music” is a collection of songs set to the poetry of Beatrice Holz. Whether it is the composer to the page; the performer to the stage; or one’s last song before mortality, this work takes the listener on an intimate journey through various aspects of music. (Only songs 1. Invitation to Music, 2. Soul Dance, 3. Without Translation and 5. Final Prelude are included on this recording.)

Composer’s Statement of Faith

I am Christian—a member of the Salvation Army Church—who tries to live a life in complete service to Him. My faith is a result of the Lord, Jesus Christ, fundamentally changing my life; blessing my family and me beyond measure; showering me with His grace-filled provision; and providing me with a hope that does not fade.

Composer Biography

The music of Shawn E. Okpebholo has been performed all across the United States of America, and in Canada, Africa, Europe, and Asia. Distinguished venues and festivals include: The Kennedy Center and the National Cathedral (Washington, D.C.), Monte Music Festival (Goa, India); CBDNA National Conference (Seattle, WA), MusicX Contemporary Music Festival (Cincinnati, OH); PRIZM Ensemble Concert Series (Memphis, TN); and the state music festivals of Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio and Texas. As a frequently invited guest lecturer and composer, Dr. Okpebholo has appeared at the University of North Carolina-Greensboro New Music Festival, the University of Benin (Benin City, Nigeria), Biola University Conservatory of Music (Los Angeles, CA), Boise State University (Boise, ID), among others.

Dr. Okpebholo has received numerous commissions from noted soloists, universities and organizations, including: the International Tuba and Euphonium Association, the United States Air Force Band of Mid America, the Ohio Music Education Association and the Jackson Symphony Orchestra. Dr. Okpebholo received his B.A. in composition and music history from Asbury College and his M.M. and D.M.A. in composition and theory from the University of Cincinnati, College-Conservatory of Music—with additional study in film scoring at New York University. His primary teachers were James Curnow, Joel Hoffman, Ronald Holz, and Michael Fiday. He was a recipient of the Union University Pew Research Grant and a select participant at the National Bandmaster’s Association Young Composers Mentor Project. Awards include: first prizes in the Accent06 International Composition Competition, KMEA All-Collegiate Composition Contest, and Peniston Honors in Composition and has been an annual recipient of the ASCAPlus awards since 2004. He was also one of eighteen featured composers in Volume IV of the book series, “Composers on Composing for Band,” edited by Mark Camphouse.

In 2010, Dr. Okpebholo joined the faculty of Wheaton College-Conservatory of Music as Assistant Professor of Theory and Composition. He previously taught at Union University, Northern Kentucky University, and the University of Cincinnati, College-Conservatory of Music. He currently lives in Wheaton, IL, with his beautiful wife, Dorthy (violist) and beautiful daughter, Eva.

- - -  SOLI DEO GLORIA!  - - -

If you are a member composer interested in submitting a composition for an upcoming monthly CFAMC listening page, please contact Bill Vollinger at 

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