Why Writing for Choir is a Unique Challenge (and How to Do It Well)

Grab my FREE composer’s block guide: https://composersbrain.com/composersb... Study with me: https://composersbrain.com/about?vide... I chatted with Theodore Schwamm (b. 2002), one of the members of my private studio. He's a a North Carolina-based composer, singer, and educator. His recent works explore representations of nature and aim to expand the types of stories told through vocal music. Theodore holds a BA in Music from Kenyon College, where he was a recipient of the Gabriel A. Ben-Meir Senior Award in Music and a Music Scholarship. Additionally, he is the winner of the 2023 Case Western Choral Composition Competition, and recipient of the 2022 American Bach Society’s Frances Alford Brokaw Grant. When not involved in music, Theodore loves reading and spending time outside or with his two cats. 00:00 - Introduction 00:30 - Meet Theodore Schwamm 02:10 - From Liberal Arts to Composition 04:10 - "Spring Morning," for choir 07:28 - The Process of Setting Text to Music 12:00 - Theodore's Rhythmic/Melodic Process in "O Day," for choir 14:20 - Listening to "O Day," for choir (Work-in-Progress) 16:30 - Avoiding Over-Reliance on Notation Software 25:32 - Compositional Challenges and Growth 32:55 - "Water Lilies," for soprano and piano 36:28 - Composition Workflow vs. Philosophy 42:16 - What's Next for Theodore? 44:40 - How Community Helps Composers Grow 49:45 - Post-College Life