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Composer Page for Carlos Cordero

carlos-cordero

Carlos Cordero (b. 1992) promotes change as a new choral music advocate, composer, singer, and hug-giver. As a gay Latine immigrant artist, Cordero advocates for the LGBTQ+ and immigrant community through his brand, The Happy Choir, and his professional Tenor-Bass choir, Un/heard. His mission is to create moments where people discuss how to be kinder with each other and themselves.

Selected commissions include EXIGENCE, Conspirare, Chorus Austin, and other organizations recognized for their social advocacy. Cordero founded the New Choral Music Society, a non-profit advocating for opportunities for new choral music composers and poets.

Despite his family’s lack of support in pursuing a music career, Cordero completed composition and performance studies, holding an M.M. in Composition from the University of Houston, where he met his choral luminaries, Betsy Cook Weber and David Ashley White. Cordero is Chorus America’s Alice Parker Fund Award 2024 recipient, recognizing the exemplary work of a Black or Latinx composer who respectfully and authentically presents works incorporating these traditions and experiences.

Cordero is originally from Venezuela where he was a choral conductor and music educator at El Sistema. He currently resides in Austin, Texas, with his two Chiweenies, Sweet Pea and Olive. People visiting Austin should reach out to him to have some Venezuelan food!

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Vuela – Voicing: Unison, 2 Part  Instrumentation: Piano  Performance Length: 2:10  Notation: Standard  Text Source: Carlos Cordero  Language: Spanish  Descriptive Terms: Community, Encouragement, Love, Support, Confidence, Singing, Joyful  First Performance: February 08, 2024 : Kujawa Elementary School, Imogen Bori, San Antonio, TX    Text SettingComposer’s NotesSource for Scores(P:E 1201/1939~2024-Q4)
We Are Waves – Voicing: SATB-SATB  Instrumentation: Piano, Double Bass (opt), Percussion  Performance Length: 4:45  Notation: Standard  Text Source: Julie Flanders  Language: English  Seasonal/Liturgical Use: Honor Choirs, Mass Singing, Community Building  Descriptive Terms: Celebration, Community, People, Sharing, Help, Uplifting  First Performance: March 04, 2023 : Mendelssohn Chorus of Philadelphia & Commonwealth Youthchoirs, Dominick DiOrio, Temple Performing Arts Center, 1837 N Broad St, Philadelphia, PA    Text SettingComposer’s NotesSource for Scores(P:E 1201/1726~2023-Q2)
Fresh Fruit – Voicing: SATB DIV.  Solo(s): Optional Alto  Instrumentation: Unaccompanied  Performance Length: 3:40  Notation: Standard  Text Source: Alannah Guevara  Language: English  Descriptive Terms: Vulnerability, Mental Health, Family, Latinx, Latin American, Culture  First Performance: April 24, 2022 : University Singers Cal Poly Humboldt, Rachel Samet, Arcata, CA    Text SettingComposer’s NotesSource for Scores(P:E 1201/1713~2023-Q1)
Let Your True Self Sing – Voicing: SATB DIV.  Solo(s): Optional Soprano Solo  Instrumentation: Unaccompanied  Performance Length: 3:00  Notation: Standard  Text Source: Ryan Heller  Language: English  Descriptive Terms: LGBTQ, Self-acceptance, Journey, Depression, Love, Celebration, Queer  First Performance: July 22, 2022 : Suono Chamber Choir, Alexander Bruce, St. Mark’s Episcopal Church - San Antonio, TX    Text SettingComposer’s NotesSource for Scores(P:E 1201/1679~2022-Q4)
Nada Te Turbe – Voicing: SATB DIV.  Instrumentation: Unaccompanied  Performance Length: 3:30  Notation: Standard  Text Source: Santa Teresa del Ávila  Language: Spanish  Descriptive Terms: Peace, Immigrant, Love, Sacred, Acceptance, Journey, Compassion, War  First Performance: November 20, 2018 : Concurso Internacional de Composición Coral Alberto Grau Virtual Choir, Ana María Raga, Online / Virtual    Text SettingComposer’s NotesSource for Scores(P:E 1201/1632~2022-Q2)
Normal – Voicing: SATB  Instrumentation: Unaccompanied  Performance Length: 1:40  Notation: Standard  Text Source: Deedra Van Ness  Language: English  Seasonal/Liturgical Use: General  Descriptive Terms: School Shooting, Violence, Loss, Help, Awareness, Social Justice  First Performance: October 24, 2021: The University of Akron Chamber Choir, Marie Bucoy-Calavan, Fairlawn Lutheran Church in Fairlawn, OH    Text SettingComposer’s NotesSource for Scores(P:E 1201/1616~2022-Q1)
Holding Our Breath – Voicing: SATB  Instrumentation: Unaccompanied  Performance Length: 5:45  Notation: Standard  Text Source: Julie Flanders  Language: English  Descriptive Terms: Hope, Fear, Vulnerability, Social Justice, Crisis, Pandemic, Breathing  First Performance: March 17, 2021 : Conspirare, Dr. Craig Hella Johnson, Online (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wSbJ_mY7a6E)    Text SettingComposer’s NotesSource for Scores(P:E 1201/1582~2021-Q3)
Ayúdame (Venezuelan Plea for Life) – Voicing: SATB  Solo(s): Soprano  Instrumentation: Bass Drum Or Snare Or A Bell (in G Or D) Or Any Other Object  Performance Length: 5:00  Notation: Standard  Text Source: Carlos Cordero  Language: Spanish  Descriptive Terms: Venezuela, Struggle, Pleading, Lament, Hopeless, Current Events, Race  First Performance: July 21, 2019 : Suono Chamber Choir, Alex Bruce, Foundry UMC, Houston    Text SettingComposer’s NotesSource for Scores(P:E 1201/1549~2021-Q2)
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