Special Projects
Paul Klee : Painted Songs
For a complete listing of all pieces in this ongoing series, click here.
No. 1 "Twittering Machine" | 2011
clarinet (or alto saxophone) and piano
clarinet (or alto saxophone) and piano
No. 6 "Red Balloon" | 2011
tuba (or baritone saxophone), marimba, and vibraphone
No. 9 "Illuminated Leaf" | 2015
solo piano (or chamber ensemble)
No. 13 "Rose Garden" | 2018
flute, clarinet, violin, violoncello, and piano
No. 15 "Flowers in the Wind" | 2018
violin, violoncello, and piano
No. 16 "In the Magic Mirror" | 2017
solo violoncello
No. 17 "Carnival in the Mountains" | 2018
flute, clarinet, violin, violoncello, and piano
No. 20 "Unstable Equilibrium" | 2017
violin and violoncello
No. 22 "Dream City" | 2018
flute, clarinet, violin, violoncello, and piano
A Sleep of Prisoners - An Opera in Two Acts
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An adaptation of the 1951 one-act play by British playwright Christopher Fry. Four prisoners of war are held in a cathedral turned prison camp. Though the guards are never seen, ghostly voices are heard singing hymns and choral anthems, as if the cathedral itself were a character that participates in the drama. Tensions run high after one prisoner attacks another for making light of their situation and annoyingly playing the organ. As they try to sleep through the night, they awake as dream figures, re-enacting scenes from the Bible (Cain and Abel, David and Absalom, Abraham and Isaac, and The Fiery Furnace), each involving murder, violence, or sacrifice. By the end, the four soldiers are ready to join the heavenly chorus, which slowly fades as morning approaches and the men are finally at rest. Started in January 2018, this opera is in the very early stages of production, with plans for selected scenes to be recorded or staged in Summer 2019. The total running time is expected to be around 2 hours.
Characters Private David King (Cain, David, Abraham, Shadrach), dramatic baritone Private Peter Able (Abel, Absalom, Isaac, Meshach), dramatic tenor Private Tim Meadows (God, Donkey, Christ), lyric baritone / countertenor Corporal Joe Adams (Adam, Joab, Angel, Abednego), lyric bass Chorus (SATB, 16 - 20 singers, opt. Boys' Choir, with a few solos) Orchestra Organ Celesta Strings (4 Vln, 2 Vla, 2 Vc, 1 Cb) Brass (3 tpt, 1 hn, 1 tbn, 1 euph, 1 tba) Percussion (2 players) |
Original artwork depicting the four scenes and other thematic material from the opera, including the phrase "Amor vincit insomnia." Clockwise from top: The Fiery Furnace, Abraham and Isaac, David and Absalom, Cain and Abel.
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The Hallelujah Tree
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The Hallelujah Tree is an ongoing project for improvising singers with a flex-ensemble of instruments in which cells of music are repeated and alternated, in the manner of Julius Eastman or Terry Riley. Each cell is assigned a function as seeds, roots, rings, vines, branches, leaves, and fruits, which can be used by the ensemble to build patterns and textures in endless combinations for any duration of time.
There is no definitive performance or version of this work, with each ensemble determining its own process. Not all of the musical cells are completed and will be continually added to as the work is performed. |
The in-progress score for The Hallelujah Tree
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O Love, How Deep, How Broad, How High (Hymn Settings for Liturgical Use)
Arrangements and settings of hymns originally for solo piano and suitable for liturgical use edited after years of accompanying church services, including some improvisations. Each version is also available for solo voice or chorus and piano. This collection is a work in progress. For more information, use the contact form to ask if a setting is available.
Eventually, I hope to record these pieces professionally and release some of the titles below as Vol. I of an ongoing series of hymn settings, but if you are interested in using them in worship or public performance, please let me know!
"Title" (TUNE NAME) [Year Completed] availability
"O Love, How Deep, How Broad, How High" (DEO GRACIAS) [2012]
"My Shepherd Will Supply My Need" (RESIGNATION) [2012]
"Jesus Lives, and So Do We" (JESUS, MEINE ZUVERSICHT) [2013, rev. 2015]
"O Jesus, I Have Promised" (NYLAND) [2013, rev. 2016]
"It Is Well With My Soul 'O grosse Lieb' " (VILLE DU HAVRE / HERZLIEBSTER JESU) [2015, rev. 2020]
"He Leadeth Me" (AUGHTON) [2013]
"My Faith Looks Up to Thee" (OLIVET) [2013]
"Ah, Holy Jesus, How Have You Offended?" (HERZLIEBSTER JESU) [2013] not available
"Humble Praises, Holy Jesus" (VESPER HYMN) [2012] not available
"I Lift Up My Eyes to the Mountains" (LUZON) [2013] not available
"My Lord I Did Not Choose You" (CRUCIFIX Greek) [2014] not available
"Toccata on 'The Spacious Heavens Tell' " (GENEVAN 19) [2015] available by request
"Beams of Heaven" (SOME DAY) [2016]
"Were You There" (WERE YOUR THERE) [2018, rev. 2020] available by request
"Savior of the Nations, Come" (NUN KOMM, DER HEIDEN HEILAND) [2017]
Eventually, I hope to record these pieces professionally and release some of the titles below as Vol. I of an ongoing series of hymn settings, but if you are interested in using them in worship or public performance, please let me know!
"Title" (TUNE NAME) [Year Completed] availability
"O Love, How Deep, How Broad, How High" (DEO GRACIAS) [2012]
"My Shepherd Will Supply My Need" (RESIGNATION) [2012]
"Jesus Lives, and So Do We" (JESUS, MEINE ZUVERSICHT) [2013, rev. 2015]
"O Jesus, I Have Promised" (NYLAND) [2013, rev. 2016]
"It Is Well With My Soul 'O grosse Lieb' " (VILLE DU HAVRE / HERZLIEBSTER JESU) [2015, rev. 2020]
"He Leadeth Me" (AUGHTON) [2013]
"My Faith Looks Up to Thee" (OLIVET) [2013]
"Ah, Holy Jesus, How Have You Offended?" (HERZLIEBSTER JESU) [2013] not available
"Humble Praises, Holy Jesus" (VESPER HYMN) [2012] not available
"I Lift Up My Eyes to the Mountains" (LUZON) [2013] not available
"My Lord I Did Not Choose You" (CRUCIFIX Greek) [2014] not available
"Toccata on 'The Spacious Heavens Tell' " (GENEVAN 19) [2015] available by request
"Beams of Heaven" (SOME DAY) [2016]
"Were You There" (WERE YOUR THERE) [2018, rev. 2020] available by request
"Savior of the Nations, Come" (NUN KOMM, DER HEIDEN HEILAND) [2017]
Instrumental / Chamber
Orchestra
Revolution of the Viaducts "Passacaglia" from Paul Klee : Painted Songs | 2021
large orchestra [3(2/pc).3(2/EH).3(2/BsCl).3(2/Cbsn) 4.3.3.1 Timp+2(3) Cel Hp Str: 8.8.6.6.4]
large orchestra [3(2/pc).3(2/EH).3(2/BsCl).3(2/Cbsn) 4.3.3.1 Timp+2(3) Cel Hp Str: 8.8.6.6.4]
Monument of Shadows | 2018
medium orchestra [2.2.2.2 1.1.1.1 Timp+2 Str: 6.5.4.3.2]
medium orchestra [2.2.2.2 1.1.1.1 Timp+2 Str: 6.5.4.3.2]
Modderpuilmelodieeën (Mudpuddle Melodies) | 2017
large orchestra [3(2/pc).3(2/EH).3(2/BsCl).3(2/Cbsn) 4.3.3.1 Timp+3(4) Pno Hp Str:12.12.8.6.4]
large orchestra [3(2/pc).3(2/EH).3(2/BsCl).3(2/Cbsn) 4.3.3.1 Timp+3(4) Pno Hp Str:12.12.8.6.4]
Chamber Symphony "Beams of Heaven" | 2017
chamber orchestra [2.2.2.0 1.1.0.0 Timp+2 Pno Str: 5.4.3.2.1 opt. singer]
IN PROGRESS
chamber orchestra [2.2.2.0 1.1.0.0 Timp+2 Pno Str: 5.4.3.2.1 opt. singer]
IN PROGRESS
Fili di Perle (Strings of Pearls) | 2015
large orchestra [3(2/pc).3(2/EH).3(2/BsCl).3(2/Cbsn) 4.3.3.1 Timp+3(4) Pno Hp Str:16.14.12.10.8]
3rd Prize, Karol Szymanowski Composition Competition
large orchestra [3(2/pc).3(2/EH).3(2/BsCl).3(2/Cbsn) 4.3.3.1 Timp+3(4) Pno Hp Str:16.14.12.10.8]
3rd Prize, Karol Szymanowski Composition Competition
The Rising Doubt, The Rebel Sigh | 2015
chamber orchestra [1.1.1.1 0.0.0.0 Str: 4.4.4.3.1]
chamber orchestra [1.1.1.1 0.0.0.0 Str: 4.4.4.3.1]
Concerto Grosso No. 1 in E minor | 2015
strings, percussion, and piano
Commissioned by the Madison Area Youth Chamber Orchestra
strings, percussion, and piano
Commissioned by the Madison Area Youth Chamber Orchestra
Kitseguecla: The Sharp-Pointed Mountain | 2011
large orchestra [2(1/pc).2.2.2 4.3.3.1 Timp+3(4) Str:12.12.8.8.4]
large orchestra [2(1/pc).2.2.2 4.3.3.1 Timp+3(4) Str:12.12.8.8.4]
Wind Ensemble and Band
Bdote "The Great Confluence" | 2017
wind ensemble
Rhapsodecaphrenia | 2013
wind ensemble
wind ensemble
Spencer Municipal March | 2013
concert band
concert band
R.O.M.P: Four Short Preludes | 2013
concert band
Finalist, 3rd Annual Frank Ticheli Band Composition Competition
concert band
Finalist, 3rd Annual Frank Ticheli Band Composition Competition
My Shepherd Will Supply My Need | 2013
symphonic band
symphonic band
Reinventing No. 13 | 2012
jazz band
jazz band
Chamber Ensemble
...i grew up on a farm... | 2024
bass clarinet, piano, percussion and fixed media
Commissioned by Zeitgeist through Sounding Ground
bass clarinet, piano, percussion and fixed media
Commissioned by Zeitgeist through Sounding Ground
And, Plus, Also | 2020
wind sextet (fl, ob, cl, bsn, hn, euph)
wind sextet (fl, ob, cl, bsn, hn, euph)
Going-to-the-Sun (String Quartet No. 1) | 2018
string quartet (2 vln, vla, vc)
string quartet (2 vln, vla, vc)
Scompiglio melodioso "Melodious Disarray" | 2016
trumpet, violin, cello, and piano
Created for the Alba New Music Festival ~ Alba, Italy
trumpet, violin, cello, and piano
Created for the Alba New Music Festival ~ Alba, Italy
Three Meditations | 2015
flute, alto saxophone, and cello
Created for Cruci Project, Northwestern College ~ Orange City, IA
flute, alto saxophone, and cello
Created for Cruci Project, Northwestern College ~ Orange City, IA
Visions at a County Fair | 2013
brass quintet
brass quintet
Synthesis | 2010
saxophone quartet
saxophone quartet
Dialogues for Ten Instruments | 2010
large chamber ensemble
large chamber ensemble
Instrumental Solos and Duos
Suite excentrique | 2017
bass clarinet and marimba
for Transient Canvas ~ 2017 Alba Commission
William Thomas McKinley Memorial Award
bass clarinet and marimba
for Transient Canvas ~ 2017 Alba Commission
William Thomas McKinley Memorial Award
Gabriel Takes Flight | 2013
trumpet and piano
trumpet and piano
Cottage Flowers | 2011
solo flute
solo flute
Memorial | 2010
clarinet and piano
clarinet and piano
Keyboard and percussion
The Glass Menagerie Suite | 2014
solo piano
solo piano
R.O.M.P: Four Short Preludes | 2011
solo piano
solo piano
Five Studies for Piano (Two Pencils and a Hymnbook) | 2010
prepared piano
Winner, 2011 BMI Student Composer Awards
prepared piano
Winner, 2011 BMI Student Composer Awards
Seven Variations on a Theme by Mussorgsky | 2009-2010
solo piano
solo piano
Fantasia on Genevan Sixty-Five | 2010
solo organ
solo organ
Two Children's Duets | 2007
piano four-hands
piano four-hands
Arrangements (Orchestra / Wind Ensemble / Band)
Lyric Pieces, Book IX, Op. 68 | 2024
(Edvard Grieg, arr. Jonathan Posthuma)
chamber orchestra (1 1 1 1 - 1 1 0 0 - Str)
IN PROGRESS
(Edvard Grieg, arr. Jonathan Posthuma)
chamber orchestra (1 1 1 1 - 1 1 0 0 - Str)
IN PROGRESS
Lyric Pieces, Book X, Op. 71 | 2024
(Edvard Grieg, arr. Jonathan Posthuma)
full orchestra (2[1,2/Picc] 2[1,2/EH] 2 2 - 4 2 3 1 - 2Perc - Hp - Str)
IN PROGRESS
(Edvard Grieg, arr. Jonathan Posthuma)
full orchestra (2[1,2/Picc] 2[1,2/EH] 2 2 - 4 2 3 1 - 2Perc - Hp - Str)
IN PROGRESS
Poèmes provençaux | TBD
(Cécile Chaminade, arr. Jonathan Posthuma)
concert band / wind ensemble
IN PROGRESS
(Cécile Chaminade, arr. Jonathan Posthuma)
concert band / wind ensemble
IN PROGRESS
Penny Lane | 2024
(John Lennon and Paul McCartney, arr. Jonathan Posthuma)
chamber orchestra (2[1,Picc] 1 0 1 - 0 1[PiccTpt] 0 0 - Str)
Available only through SheetMusicDirect via ArrangeMe
(John Lennon and Paul McCartney, arr. Jonathan Posthuma)
chamber orchestra (2[1,Picc] 1 0 1 - 0 1[PiccTpt] 0 0 - Str)
Available only through SheetMusicDirect via ArrangeMe
D'un matin de printemps (Of a Spring Morning) | 2023
(Lili Boulanger, arr. Jonathan Posthuma)
chamber orchestra (2[1,2/Picc] 2[1,2/EH] 2[1,2/BsCl] 2 - 2 1 0 0 - 1Perc - Hp - Str)
Commissioned by The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra
BY REQUEST ONLY (under exclusivity until March 2026)
(Lili Boulanger, arr. Jonathan Posthuma)
chamber orchestra (2[1,2/Picc] 2[1,2/EH] 2[1,2/BsCl] 2 - 2 1 0 0 - 1Perc - Hp - Str)
Commissioned by The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra
BY REQUEST ONLY (under exclusivity until March 2026)
Menuet sur le nom d'Haydn | 2023
(Maurice Ravel, arr. Jonathan Posthuma)
chamber orchestra (1 1 1 1 - 1 0 0 0 - Hp/Hpschd/Vib ad lib - Str)
(Maurice Ravel, arr. Jonathan Posthuma)
chamber orchestra (1 1 1 1 - 1 0 0 0 - Hp/Hpschd/Vib ad lib - Str)
Heiliger Dankgesang from String Quartet No. 15, Op. 132 | 2023
(Ludwig van Beethoven, arr. Jonathan Posthuma)
chamber orchestra (2 2[1,EH] 1 1 - 2 1 0 0 - Str)
Commissioned by The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra
BY REQUEST ONLY (under exclusivity until April 2025)
(Ludwig van Beethoven, arr. Jonathan Posthuma)
chamber orchestra (2 2[1,EH] 1 1 - 2 1 0 0 - Str)
Commissioned by The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra
BY REQUEST ONLY (under exclusivity until April 2025)
"Resta d'armi noia" from Madgrigals, Book 6 | 2022
(Carlo Gesualdo, arr. Jonathan Posthuma)
chamber orchestra (2 0 1 1 - 2 0 0 0 - Str) or string orchestra
for Conrad Tao and The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, October 2022
(Carlo Gesualdo, arr. Jonathan Posthuma)
chamber orchestra (2 0 1 1 - 2 0 0 0 - Str) or string orchestra
for Conrad Tao and The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, October 2022
Vocal / Choral
Voice(s) with Orchestra
The God of Material Things | 2013-2015
soloists, narrator, chorus (SATB), organ, and orchestra
Text by Dave Schelhaas
soloists, narrator, chorus (SATB), organ, and orchestra
Text by Dave Schelhaas
Voice(s) With Chamber Ensemble
Psalm 6 "Lord, Do Not Rebuke Me in Your Anger" | 2020
soprano, mezzo-soprano, trombone, electric guitar, bass guitar and pre-recorded voices. Created for zFestival 2020.
Text from Psalm 6, NIV
soprano, mezzo-soprano, trombone, electric guitar, bass guitar and pre-recorded voices. Created for zFestival 2020.
Text from Psalm 6, NIV
Musica Ignotum - O Orzchis Ecclesia | 2018
solo soprano, alto, tenor, baritone, bass with flexible instrumentation of organ(s), choir(s), and percussion
Text by Hildegard von Bingen
solo soprano, alto, tenor, baritone, bass with flexible instrumentation of organ(s), choir(s), and percussion
Text by Hildegard von Bingen
PostSecret: A Song Cycle | 2014
soprano and Pierrot ensemble (flute, clarinet, violin, cello, and piano)
Texts from PostSecret, created by Frank Warren
soprano and Pierrot ensemble (flute, clarinet, violin, cello, and piano)
Texts from PostSecret, created by Frank Warren
somebody knew Lincoln,somebody Xerxes | 2013
baritone, prepared marimba, and percussion
Text by E.E. Cummings
Finalist, 2015 BMI Student Composer Awards
baritone, prepared marimba, and percussion
Text by E.E. Cummings
Finalist, 2015 BMI Student Composer Awards
Voice(s) With Piano / Keyboard
Seasons: Five Poems of Louis Jenkins | 2021
medium voice and piano
Commissioned by Schubert Club for Maria Jette with funding providing by Barbara Brown and John Michel in honor of Barry Kempton
Text by Louis A. Jenkins
medium voice and piano
Commissioned by Schubert Club for Maria Jette with funding providing by Barbara Brown and John Michel in honor of Barry Kempton
Text by Louis A. Jenkins
The Voices of the City | 2017
medium voice and piano
for Maria Jette, SourceSong Festival 2017
Text by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
medium voice and piano
for Maria Jette, SourceSong Festival 2017
Text by Ella Wheeler Wilcox
The God of Material Things Songbook | 2014-2015
soprano, mezzo-soprano, baritone, tenor, and piano
(or voice and piano)
Text by Dave Schelhaas
soprano, mezzo-soprano, baritone, tenor, and piano
(or voice and piano)
Text by Dave Schelhaas
The Sighs of Kilmeny | 2015
4 sopranos and piano ensemble
4 sopranos and piano ensemble
ChorUS (Secular)
lay me on a bed of moss | 2022
Solo voice or SATB plus 4 soloists, unaccompanied
Text by C. F. Thompson
Solo voice or SATB plus 4 soloists, unaccompanied
Text by C. F. Thompson
Heirloom Hallelujah! | 2016
SATB div., unaccompanied
Original 'found' text of heirloom tomato names
Created for VocalEssence ReMix 2016
SATB div., unaccompanied
Original 'found' text of heirloom tomato names
Created for VocalEssence ReMix 2016
A Poem is a Home | 2014, rev. 2016
SAB, unaccompanied (opt. Orff instruments)
A work for young singers using an original nonsense poem and an open-ended section of silly freestyling.
SAB, unaccompanied (opt. Orff instruments)
A work for young singers using an original nonsense poem and an open-ended section of silly freestyling.
Songs of Ophelia | 2012
SSA and guitar
SSA and guitar
CHorus (Sacred)
O Antiphons | 2022
Chorus with soloists (sop, mez-sop, alto, ten, bar, bass) and handbells
Chorus with soloists (sop, mez-sop, alto, ten, bar, bass) and handbells
Es flog ein Täublein weiße | 2018
SATB div., unaccompanied
Traditional German carol by David Gregor Corner, as excerpted by Brahms
based on a melody by Elliott Miles McKinley
SATB div., unaccompanied
Traditional German carol by David Gregor Corner, as excerpted by Brahms
based on a melody by Elliott Miles McKinley
Kyrie eleison (Psalm 37) "Do Not Fret" | 2018
Treble chorus, SATB div., organ
Setting of "Kyrie" and Psalm 37 (NIV)
Treble chorus, SATB div., organ
Setting of "Kyrie" and Psalm 37 (NIV)
As the Deer (Psalm 42) | 2016
SATB div., unaccompanied
Setting of Psalm 42 (NIV)
Created for VocalEssence ReMix 2016
SATB div., unaccompanied
Setting of Psalm 42 (NIV)
Created for VocalEssence ReMix 2016
Gloria in excelsis: A Commentary | 2016
SATB div., narrator, soloists, and vibraphone
Text from John Calvin's Commentary on Luke 2
SATB div., narrator, soloists, and vibraphone
Text from John Calvin's Commentary on Luke 2
Blessed | 2013
SATB, piano (opt. praise team)
Original text based on the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-12 NIV)
SATB, piano (opt. praise team)
Original text based on the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-12 NIV)
Arrangements (Vocal / Choral)
Little Bethlehem of Judah | 2013
SATB, piano
arrangement using hymn tune WESTRIDGE, text by Calvin Seerveld adapted from Micah 5:2-4
SATB, piano
arrangement using hymn tune WESTRIDGE, text by Calvin Seerveld adapted from Micah 5:2-4
Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence | 2012
SATB, piano, violin; SATB piano and saxophone trio
or SATB with strings, brass, and organ
arrangement of traditional French carol
SATB, piano, violin; SATB piano and saxophone trio
or SATB with strings, brass, and organ
arrangement of traditional French carol
Theatre / Film / Ballet
Theatre / Film / Ballet
The Glass Menagerie | 2010
incidental music
solo piano
National Finalist for Sound Design, Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival
incidental music
solo piano
National Finalist for Sound Design, Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival