project : encore

Composer Page for Christopher J. Hoh

christopher-j-hoh

Christopher J. Hoh grew up in Reading, Pennsylvania and was influenced as a young singer and accompanist by great works under conductors in Pennsylvania, New York, and Washington.  He has been in Alice Parker’s composer seminar as well as workshops with Jean Berger, Daniel Moe, Robert Page and Craig Jessop. Notable commissions include: 

  • The Alexandria (VA) Choral Society and Kinderchoir — “Away We Go,” sailing triptych, semi-chorus, SATB & piano.
  • GenOUT Youth Chorus (DC) — “I Still Am Free,” pride song, SAB & piano.
  • Congregational Church of South Glastonbury (CT) — “Praise Ye Almighty God,” anthem, SATB & organ.
  • Solmaaz Adeli & Friends (international) — “My Love” folksong arrangements, mezzo-soprano, cello & piano.
  • The Stuttgart German-American Chorus — “Ero Cras,” O Antiphon concert work, SATB & organ.
  • Meistersingers of Orange County (CA) — “Ein Kind Geborn in Bethlehem,” SSATBB.
  • Carnuntum Museum (Austria) — “Ecumenical Meditation,” for SATB, flute, clarinet, cello & piano.
  • King’s Chapel, Boston “Aromimcha Adonai,” Psalm 30, tenor & SATB.

The Thirteen under Matthew Robertson premiered “Musica Dei Donum” for 12 parts in October 2019. The same year saw first performances of Mass on “When Jesus Wept” by King’s Chapel Boston and “A Little More Peace” by Solmaaz Adeli among others. Helena (MT) Choral Week selected Hoh as Composer-in-Residence, premiering a double choir work in 2008 and giving a concert of his music.

Recent years have seen his mezzo cycle “I Breathed A Song” at Vienna’s Musikverein and the SSATBB “Evening Music” in Maryland and abroad. Selections from “Three Latin Prayers” have been heard from a college choir tour in the U.S. to church concerts in Austria and Simon Carrington’s conducting workshop in Italy. St. Monica & St. James Episcopal Church in Washington commissioned for Pentecost “From Heaven There Came A Sound” for children and adults, piano & percussion. Navona Recordings released his part-songs on Sandburg poems, some Christmas chorals, and “Music at the Heart of Creation” for choir and brass (on the albums, Cadence, Dashing, and Voices of Earth and Air III respectively). ERM Media recorded his “Snow-Flakes” (Longfellow) for SATB & celesta for its “Made in the Americas” CDs.

Hoh’s formal education and career were in international affairs before retiring from the U.S. Foreign Service after thirty-some years. He is a member of ASCAP, American Music Center, Chorus America and American Composers Forum. 

Visit the Composer’s Website

  • Exit

  • Clear

  • Help

  • Compact View

My Love: Two American Ballads – Voicing: SAB  Instrumentation: Piano  Performance Length: 5:20  Notation: Standard  Text Source: Anglo-American folk song  Language: English  Descriptive Terms: American, Folk Song, Love, Ballad, Riddle, Shady Grove, Middle School  First Performance: May 13, 2015 : George Washington Middle School Choirs, Anne Provencher, Alexandria, VA    Text SettingComposer’s NotesSource for Scores(P:E 285/1802~2023-Q3)
Peace Be with You – Voicing: SATB  Instrumentation: Unaccompanied  Performance Length: 3:30  Notation: Standard  Text Source: Gospel of John  Language: English  Seasonal/Liturgical Use: General, Easter Season  Descriptive Terms: Calm, Blessing, Forgiveness  First Performance: March 30, 2008 : Choir of St. Monica & St. James Episcopal Church, Daniel I. Elmer, 222 8th Street, NE; Washington, DC 20002    Text SettingSource for Scores(P:E 285/1649~2022-Q3)
O Sacrum Convivium / O Sacred Communion Meal – Voicing: SATB  Solo(s): None  Instrumentation: Unaccompanied  Performance Length: 2:55  Notation: Standard  Text Source: St. Thomas Aquinas  Language: Latin Or English  Seasonal/Liturgical Use: General, Communion, Corpus Christi  Descriptive Terms: Devotion, Communion, Eucharist, Reverent, Sustained, Quiet  First Performance: June 19, 2014 : Choir of St. Monica & St. James, Daniel I. Elmer, St. Monica & St. James Episcopal Church, Capitol Hill, Washington, DC    Text SettingComposer’s NotesSource for Scores(P:E 285/1579~2021-Q3)
Musica Dei Donum – Voicing: SATB-SATB-SATB  Instrumentation: Unaccompanied  Performance Length: 5:00  Notation: Standard  Text Source: 16th Century  Language: English. Latin  Descriptive Terms: Celebration, Festival, Music  First Performance: Oct 18, 2019: The Thirteen, Matthew Robertson, The Chevy Chase Club, Chevy Chase, MD    Text SettingComposer’s NotesSource for Scores(P:E 285/1087~2020-Q2)
For the Children or the Grown-Ups? – Voicing: SATB  Instrumentation: Vibraphone  Performance Length: 3:00  Notation: Standard  Text Source: G.D.K. — not further identified, Life Magazine, Dec. 7, 1922  Language: English  Seasonal/Liturgical Use: Christmas  Descriptive Terms: Americana, Presents, Toys, Whimsical  First Performance: Dec 19, 2018: The T-Tone Chorus [U.S. Dept. of State], Kathryn Schultz, Acheson Auditorium, 2201 C Street NW, Washington, DC    Text SettingComposer’s NotesSource for Scores(P:E 285/998~2019-Q3)
Come, Love We God – Voicing: SATB  Instrumentation: Unaccompanied  Performance Length: 3:30  Notation: Standard  Text Source: 15th Century Carol, Richard Shanne (attrb)  Language: English, Latin  Seasonal/Liturgical Use: Christmas, Epiphany, Nativity  Descriptive Terms: Celebration, Lively, Macaronic, Medieval, Theology  First Performance: Dec 06, 2018: Pacific Edge Voices, Lynne Morrow, The Green Room, San Francisco, CA    Text SettingComposer’s NotesSource for Scores(P:E 285/907~2019-Q1)
My Mistress’ Eyes – Voicing: SATB  Instrumentation: Unaccompanied  Performance Length: 5:30  Notation: Standard  Text Source: William Shakespeare, Sonnet 130  Language: English  Descriptive Terms: Fun, Funny, Love, Showpiece, Spoof  First Performance: Jun 21, 2014: Meistersingers, Brian Dehn, Tustin, California    Text SettingComposer’s NotesSource for Scores(P:E 285/886~2018-Q4)
Hosanna, Son of David – Voicing: SATB  Instrumentation: Handbells  Performance Length: 3:10  Notation: Standard  Text Source: Matthew 21  Language: English  Seasonal/Liturgical Use: Palm Sunday, Passion  Descriptive Terms: Chant-based, Chorale, Exuberant, Praise, Reverent  First Performance: Apr 17, 2011: Choirs from five churches, Evanne Brown, Boulder, Colorado    Text SettingComposer’s NotesSource for Scores(P:E 285/839~2018-Q3)
Stars of the Morning – Voicing: SATB  Instrumentation: Unaccompanied  Performance Length: 3:30  Notation: Standard  Text Source: St. Joseph the Hymnographer, John Mason Neale (trans.)  Language: English  Seasonal/Liturgical Use: Memorial Services, Holy Guardian Angels, St. Michael, All Saints  Descriptive Terms: Adoration, Angels, Protection, Saints, Stars  First Performance: Oct 02, 2004: Choir of St. James Episcopal Church, Daniel I. Elmer, Capitol Hill, Washington, D.C.    Text SettingComposer’s NotesSource for Scores(P:E 285/797~2018-Q2)
Sweetest Music: Three Shaker Settings – Voicing: SATB  Instrumentation: Unaccompanied  Performance Length: 10:30  Notation: Standard  Text Source: Shaker Music, Inspirational Hymns & Melodies (1875)  Language: English  Seasonal/Liturgical Use: Christmas, Holy Guardian Angels  Descriptive Terms: Americana, Angels, Faith, Heaven, Peace, Redemption  First Performance: Jun 27, 2008: Musikanten Montana Chamber Singers, Kerry Krebill, Myrna Loy Center, Helena, MT    Text SettingComposer’s NotesSource for Scores(P:E 285/564~2016-Q4)
Three Latin Prayers – Voicing: SSATBB  Instrumentation: Unaccompanied  Performance Length: 8:15  Notation: Standard  Text Source: Ordinary of the Mass, Reginald of Canterbury, Benediciones Mensae  Language: Latin  Seasonal/Liturgical Use: Memorial Services, Thanksgiving, Prayers, Dismissal  Descriptive Terms: Angels, Guidance, Peace, Protection, Remembrance, Thanks  First Performance: Dec 31, 2010: Musikanten, Kerry Krebill, Washington Street U.M. Church, Alexandria, VA    Text SettingComposer’s NotesSource for Scores(P:E 285/506~2016-Q3)
Come Away to the Skies – Voicing: SATB  Instrumentation: Unaccompanied  Performance Length: 2:45  Notation: Standard  Text Source: Charles Wesley  Language: English  Seasonal/Liturgical Use: Advent, Ascension, Easter, Memorial Services, Thanksgiving  Descriptive Terms: Early American, Heaven, Joyful, Redemption, Rhythmic, Shape-note, Singing, Zion  First Performance: Dec 21, 2014: Anthem Choir of St. MJ, Daniel I. Elmer, St. Monica & St. James Episcopal Church, Washington, D.C.    Text SettingComposer’s NotesSource for Scores(P:E 285/289~2015-Q2)
  Working