"Laying Rails" was written in 2014, The piece portrays the building of the Transcontinental Railroad (1863-1869,) an engineering feat that dramatically changed geographic accessibility within the United States.
Karen Woodward Arlen was my dear friend and partner in Calicanto Associates. Sadly, she passed away June 7, 2025. I miss her every day and want to honor her memory by featuring her biography, emphasizing her musical accomplishments.
It has become a passion of mine to compose and arrange music for choir. There is nothing more satisfying than hearing a group of singers enthusiastically realize one’s musical vision. When I write choral music, both the text and melody have to capture my imagination and trigger my emotions.
