Darren Schmidt
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  • Choral (SATB)
  • Choral (SA & TTBB)
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​"Darren’s music demonstrates a deep and lifelong experience with the choral repertory. As a listener, one of the facets that I find most compelling about his work is his ability to draw upon the choral music heritage and to reinvigorate those models in a distinctly personal and communicative way."

​​-Dr. Aaron Ziegel, Assistant Professor of Music History and Culture at Towson University

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Complete Catalogue

- - - Click each to go directly to description - - -
SATB a cappella:
*Set Me as a Seal  4'30"
*Wessobrunn Prayer  6'
Old Poets  4'
Alma Redemptoris Mater  3'
Teach Me, O Lord  4'
Psalm 131  3'45"
None Is Righteous  4'30"


*Competition Winner
SATB/SAB accompanied:
Reflection (piano) 3'45"
Open Your Eyes (piano)  6'

Christmas is an Act of War (piano) 3'
Anthem for Uncertain Times (piano)  7'
Magnificat & Nunc Dimittis (organ)  4' & 2'30"
St. Joseph (organ)  3'
VIEW FOLDER OF ALL CHORAL PDFs
SOUNDCLOUD LINK
SA:
A Proper Monster (piano)  2'30"
​
TTBB a cappella:
Good Timber 4'
Old Alberto's Daughter  3'30"
St. Joseph  3'
Stille Nacht  3'
A Christmas Carol  3'30"

Ihr Kinderlein, kommet  2'
Lovely Rose  4'30"
Don't see what you're looking for?
Tell me YOUR suggestion for my next piece; if I like it, I'll write it for you at a reduced rate!
​Submit your dream piece for consideration by clicking HERE.
Schmidt is able to adapt his writing for many skill levels, and enjoys utilizing a variety of styles in order to better convey the message of each text.  Having sung in the Maryland State Boychoir for ten years as well as church choirs professionally, he has the experience which allows him to distinguish which techniques work best for composing in the choral idiom.  He would love to discuss commissions with those who are interested.  Please send a message via the contact page.

A Proper Monster
​(SA with divisi & Piano, 2'30")

For Vincent Sandroni & the Voices of Cockeysville.
VIEW SCORE
If monsters could meet me,
or shake my hand, I wonder
if their claws would hurt me.

Or would they look at me,
so small and fragile, and
wonder what I'd tell my friends.

Would I spin a story of a
horrible attack, or would
I say -
Would I spin a story of a
horrible attack, or would
I say 
–​

"I met a strange gentleman.
He looked a bit peculiar,
but he had better manners than
the other strangers I've met. "
OPEN VIDEO IN NEW TAB
-by Margo Fitch
(Featured in Towson University's "Grub Street")

Good Timber
(TTBB a cappella, 4')

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"Good timber does not grow with ease" and neither do boys grow into good men without overcoming adversity.  This piece is a call to bear our load with dignity and honor.

Old Alberto's Daughter
​(TTBB a capella, 3'30")
VIEW SCORE
This poem by Edgar Allan Poe begins by comparing the glowingly beautiful "old Alberto's Daughter" to a "fair river" with "crystal wandering water," before revealing how deeply affected the writer becomes when caught in her gaze.

St. Joseph
​(TTBB a cappella, 3')

A piece celebrating the contribution of Joseph to faithfully provide and care for Mary and Jesus.
​
Interestingly, the Bible does not include any quotes from St. Joseph, the carpenter, despite his importance in raising Jesus with Mary.  This poem is a reminder that even those with some of the most significant jobs don’t get all the spotlight, and that’s ok.  “His silence is a music heard on high, and understood.”  Even if our work or contributions are not recognized by others, we still know their importance, and our efforts were not in vain. 
​
VIEW SCORE

A Christmas Carol
(TTBB a cappella, 3'30")
View Score
​
​Premiered by Quorus, this upbeat tune is a welcome change of pace from the traditional songs of the season.  Did I mention there's body percussion?​

Stille Nacht
​(TTBB a cappella, 3')

This arrangement begins with the original German melody by Franz Gruber followed by the melody known to most Americans, and concludes with a unique rendition modified by a circle of fifths progression.
VIEW SCORE

Ihr Kinderlein, kommet
​(TTBB a cappella, 2')

“Oh come, little children” is one of the most well known German Christmas carols.  The melody we know today was written by Johann Abraham Peter Schulz in 1790.  This version was arranged for Quorus in 2017 for their Christmas concert.


VIEW SCORE

Lovely Rose
​(TTBB a cappella, 4'30")

View Score
An original poem inspired by the film "Though None Go With Me."
​
​Lovely Rose, my lovely rose

Only you can make me smile.
Ever since you were planted, I've watched you grow
More charming and beautiful than you'll ever know.
Oh Rose, my lovely rose
I love you so.

Even before you bloomed, my heart was captured;
like a deer in headlights, your thorns pierced my heart.
How I long for Rose, my lovely rose;
I dread the day you start to wilt.
I've known love, I feel no guilt but
Curse the day you die.

​Oh Rose, Lovely Rose, never tire.
You make me smile.
Please stay for a while,
You can't die.

Don't die my lovely, lovely Rose.
My love, my rose;
Only you can make me smile.
I love you forever and ever.
Please don't die.
I love you so.
My lovely Rose.
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PROMO: "Pay when you can, share when you can't"
Earn a $25 credit towards your commission fee by sharing your commission experience with a fellow director colleague! (Limit up to 5, totaling $125 off, inquire for more details).  All local commissions include one rehearsal visit & attendance at the premiere, schedule permitting.
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  • About (bio)
  • Purchase
  • Choral (SATB)
  • Choral (SA & TTBB)
  • Instrumental
  • Contact