The piece, which Daniel is composing especially for the occasion, incorporates a blend of spoken, recitative, and arioso passages. Rev. Susan will be narrating the "evangelist" parts, while the lines spoken by characters in the story (Jesus, Pilate, etc.) will be sung by voices from the LUMC choir. It will be accompanied by organ and a small professional orchestra.
Stylistically, the music is tuneful and accessible to the average listener. Daniel's goal is to convey the drama of the story, both the letter and the spirit, through musical means. The piece is expected to last about 35 minutes, so it will constitute the centerpiece of the worship service.
Come, and add your "Hosanna" to the celebration!
About Daniel RoihlDaniel Roihl has been active in the New England musical scene as a singer, conductor, and composer since 1990. As an undergraduate at Harvard, he studied choral and orchestral conducting, composition, and voice, graduating with highest honors in music
After graduating from Harvard, he founded and spent two years directing The Concordia Society, a chamber choir of 24 voices specializing in challenging a cappella repertoire in a variety of styles. He received a master's degree in choral conducting from the Yale School of Music, where he was awarded a full merit scholarship by the Institute of Sacred Music.
As a composer, he has written commissions for the Harvard University Choir, S. Stephen's Church of Providence, Boston's Youth Pro Musica, St. Andrew's Youth Choirs of Wellesley, Lexington United Methodist Church, the 20th Anniversary RSCM Carolina Course, and the installation of Harvard University's current president. His senior thesis composition at Harvard, "Kyrie and Gloria for Mixed Choir and Orchestra," was awarded Summa cum Laude and recorded by the Harvard University Choir. As a singer, he has performed extensively in opera, oratorio, and musical theater as both a baritone and a countertenor.
His current appointments include Music Director of the United Methodist Church in Lexington; co-Conductor of the Elm City Girls Choirs in New Haven, Connecticut; and Choral Conducting Intern for Chorus Angelicus in Torrington, Connecticut.