"D.N.A."
Mary-Hannah McCray Klontz
SATB a cappella or with piano, 5'30"-6'
MusicSpoke, Conduct.her Series
This blues-based choral piece was inspired by the unjust imprisonment of Antron McCray of the Central Park Five and his eventual exoneration due to D.N.A. testing. We shared the same last name (he has since changed his name to Antron Brown), which made me consider how different our circumstances are, even though we are truly related in the human family. I am deeply troubled by racism and long to find an authentic way for people of any color and background to sing this story together.
MusicSpoke publishes the sheet music: musicspoke.com/downloads/dna/.
My composer's portion of the sales will be given to the Innocence Project.
Listen to it here with the optional rap.
Thank you to McKenna Stenson, soprano; Caroline Nielsen, alto; Bryan Stenson, tenor; Paul Grosvenor, bass; and Tony Lazo, rapper.
"Point Me to the Stars"
Mary-Hannah Klontz
2 part treble with flute, 4'30"
Hal Leonard, Henry Leck Creating Artistry Series Click here to listen.
This song was inspired by ten-year-old Leo and dedicated to the memory of his four-year-old cousin, Natalie, who died in an accident while in his care. Leo could not talk about the tragedy and carried great guilt and sadness. It was not until he "spoke" through the drums in music class that he found his voice and his hope. This song speaks to the importance of honoring and processing our emotions through music, perseverance, and seeking solace in friends, nature, and beyond.
"Point Me to the Stars" has been performed by treble singers from upper elementary to adult choirs. Click here to purchase.
Mary-Hannah Klontz
2 part treble with flute, 4'30"
Hal Leonard, Henry Leck Creating Artistry Series Click here to listen.
This song was inspired by ten-year-old Leo and dedicated to the memory of his four-year-old cousin, Natalie, who died in an accident while in his care. Leo could not talk about the tragedy and carried great guilt and sadness. It was not until he "spoke" through the drums in music class that he found his voice and his hope. This song speaks to the importance of honoring and processing our emotions through music, perseverance, and seeking solace in friends, nature, and beyond.
"Point Me to the Stars" has been performed by treble singers from upper elementary to adult choirs. Click here to purchase.
"Uncharted"
Mary-Hannah Klontz
SATB, electric bass, cajon, optional piano
Written in response to COVID-19, 2'30"
Please contact me if you perform "Uncharted" and include a link to a video or audio recording if possible.
"De Profundis" (Psalm 130), Op. 50B
SSATBB, a cappella, 4'15"
Arnold Schoenberg, edited Dr. Mary-Hannah Klontz
with Hebrew transliteration by Dr. Joshua Jacobson
This critical edition corrects misprints and restores a critical tempo change omitted in the previous Belmont edition. Supplemental resources allow greater accessibility to this twelve-tone, a cappella, choral work in Hebrew.
“De Profundis” (Psalm 130) is available in three formats:
BEL-1052a-standard portrait edition,
BEL-1052b-landscape edition, and
BEL-1052c-a music notation file for score study (Finale, Sibelius, Musescore, SmartMusic, and XML files).
Perusal copies of the portrait and landscape editions, an audio file of the piano reduction, as well as the errata for BEL-1052 may be accessed here.
Click here to purchase.
