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official website

Canadian composer, arranger & music editor

E.K.R. HAMMELL

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(Info on Music Preparation/Engraving Services)

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FEATURED VIDEOs

You Wave (for SATB chorus & piano)

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Sandcastles (for double wind quintet)

Available now to consortium members,

Available publicly in late 2023.

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YOUTUBE CHANNEL

“Stardust Dunes” for wind band | E.K.R. Hammell [SCORE VIDEO]
05:29
“Nerve & Verve” for wind band | E.K.R. Hammell [SCORE VIDEO]
06:48

“Nerve & Verve” for wind band | E.K.R. Hammell [SCORE VIDEO]

"Nerve & Verve" for wind band [2020, rev. 2022, pub. 2023] E.K.R. Hammell Commissioned by The Festival Wind Orchestra. Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Keith Reid, Artistic Director. PURCHASE / PREVIEW SCORE: https://www.ekrhammell.com/product-page/nerve-verve-full-set Demo performance recording built using NotePerformer. For more original music and arrangements by Canadian composer E.K.R. Hammell, visit https://www.ekrhammell.com SUBSCRIBE for more score videos from E.K.R. Hammell Music. PROGRAM NOTES: Commissioned by Toronto’s Festival Wind Orchestra in 2020, Nerve & Verve is a piece about personal and interpersonal growth. A simplistic, brawny opening theme introduces a sense of confident denial. Lasting for only a brief window of time, this material serves as a reference point that is later repeatedly questioned and dissected. The section that follows illuminates a sense of childlike wonder, full of nostalgia and naïve (yet genuine) joy. As this material develops, it becomes increasingly ecstatic and robust — a fantastical dream seems to be latching onto some part of reality. As the fantasy ascends to its peak, the music shifts into a landscape of sudden (perhaps violent) juxtapositions in timbres, masking uneasiness and uncertainty with cool, unwavering steadiness and an arrogant optimism. From this unsustainable amalgam erupts the last major section of the piece, jubilantly arguing for a reconstruction of the unfamiliar into a blessing that is cause for celebration. Full of rhythmic vitality, it thrusts the listener into a parade of hopeful reinvigoration. In the end, the music makes an attempt to settle into a new groove — one that unveils the discovery and joy hidden within chaos and disarray. Copyright © 2023 Evan Hammell E.K.R. HAMMELL MUSIC Website: https://www.ekrhammell.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ekrhammellmusic Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ekrhammellmusic Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/ekrhammellmusic
“I Shall Not Forget” for SSAATTBB chorus | E.K.R. Hammell  [SCORE VIDEO]
04:27

“I Shall Not Forget” for SSAATTBB chorus | E.K.R. Hammell [SCORE VIDEO]

"I Shall Not Forget" for SSAATTBB chorus a cappella [2017] text by Archibald Lampman music by E.K.R. Hammell Performance recording by Concreamus Chamber Choir - Kai Leung, artistic director. Toronto, ON, Canada. PURCHASE / PREVIEW SCORE: https://www.ekrhammell.com/product-page/i-shall-not-forget-score For more original music and arrangements by Canadian composer E.K.R. Hammell, visit https://www.ekrhammell.com SUBSCRIBE for more score videos from E.K.R. Hammell Music! PROGRAM NOTES: "I Shall Not Forget" is a choral setting of "White Pansies" by Canadian poet, Archibald Lampman. Lampman wrote the poem in 1894 in response to the death of his young son, Arnold. The darkly beautiful imagery and profound sadness of the text are a solemn reminder to never take any moment for granted, and had an anguished, lamenting quality that spoke to me in a way I felt needed to be expressed musically. TEXT: "White Pansies" - Archibald Lampman (1862-1899) Day and night pass over, rounding, Star and cloud and sun, Things of drift and shadow, empty Of my dearest one. Soft as slumber was my baby, Beaming bright and sweet; Daintier than bloom or jewel Were his hands and feet. He was mine, mine all, mine only, Mine and his debt; Earth and Life and Time are changers; I shall not forget. Pansies for my dear one — heartsease — Set them gently so; For his stainless lips and forehead, Pansies white as snow. Would that in the flower-grown little Grave they dug so deep, I might rest beside him, dreamless, Smile no more, nor weep. Copyright © 2017-2022 Evan Hammell E.K.R. HAMMELL MUSIC Website: https://www.ekrhammell.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ekrhammellmusic Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ekrhammellmusic Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/ekrhammellmusic
"Trust" for SSAATTBB chorus | E.K.R. Hammell [SCORE VIDEO]
05:28

"Trust" for SSAATTBB chorus | E.K.R. Hammell [SCORE VIDEO]

"Trust" for SSAATTBB chorus a cappella [2021] text by Robert Browning music by E.K.R. Hammell Performance recording by Concreamus Chamber Choir - Kai Leung, artistic director. Toronto, ON, Canada. Tenor solo : William Salinas-Crosby. Commissioned by Luminos Ensemble, Margot Rejskind - artistic director. Charlottetown PE Canada. With support from an anonymous donor. PURCHASE / PERUSE SCORE: https://www.ekrhammell.com/product-page/trust-score For more original music and arrangements by Canadian composer E.K.R. Hammell, visit https://www.ekrhammell.com SUBSCRIBE for more score videos from E.K.R. Hammell Music! PROGRAM NOTES: "Trust" is a piece about courage. Setting an excerpt of Browning’s poem “Rabbi ben Ezra”, the piece explores the internal conflict that arises from trying to give meaning to suffering, an idea Browning was inspired to write about by the teachings of Jewish medieval scholar Abraham ibn Ezra (ca. 1092- ca. 1164). The central question at stake in the poem is this: Why must we endure toil and strain? While the significance of the struggles we undertake is so often lost on us, Browning argues for resilience, patience, and trust. Trust God. Trust the universe. Trust destiny. Whatever your beliefs, trust that your experiences will help illuminate the path forward. This setting aims to elucidate Browning’s words in a way that provides encouragement — to literally bestow courage upon the listener, take their hand, and give them a gentle push into a reinvigorating, hopeful new chapter. TEXT: "Rabbi ben Ezra" (excerpts) by Robert Browning (1812-1889) Grow old along with me! The best is yet to be, The last of life, for which the first was made: Our times are in His hand Who saith "A whole I planned, Youth shows but half; trust God: see all, nor be afraid!" ... Then, welcome each rebuff That turns earth's smoothness rough, Each sting that bids nor sit nor stand but go! Be our joys three-parts pain! Strive, and hold cheap the strain; Learn, nor account the pang; dare, never grudge the throe! ... Rejoice we are allied To That which doth provide And not partake, effect and not receive! A spark disturbs our clod; Nearer we hold of God Who gives, than of His tribes that take, I must believe. Copyright © 2021-2022 Evan Hammell E.K.R. HAMMELL MUSIC Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ekrhammellmusic Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ekrhammellmusic Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/ekrhammellmusic Website: https://www.ekrhammell.com

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Spring/Summer 2023

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