Poster design by Bri Clark It is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing…..” - Macbeth , Act V, Scene 3 My recent projects for the Heidelberg School of Music and Theatre have been on the dark side, to say the least. Shakespeare’s Measure for   Measure  explored the depths of a would-be leader, one who wished to deprive his subjects of basic freedoms. There was some comedy on the side to balance things out, but perhaps this is why scholars refer to

Poster design by Bri Clark As a composer of theatre-based music, it is always a challenge to take on the plays of William Shakespeare. My association with director Karla Kash and the Heidelberg Theater program is giving me another chance. Two years ago, we collaborated on Measure for Measure . On November 13-16, 2025, we are taking our chances with one of the great tragedies, the so-called “Scottish play.” The real title appears above; traditional theater superstitions preven

W hile I Run This Race: Music of Hope, Dedication and Celebration, featuring the music of Doug McConnell will be released to the public on Friday, November 7, 2025.  The music on the recording is inspired by aspects of Black American culture, from traditional spirituals to the poetry of Langston Hughes. While I Run This Race  features Roderick George, tenor, Gail Levinsky, alto saxophone, Jackie Edwards-Henry, piano, Joan McConnell, organ, and the Helios Trio: John Fadial, vi

The Helios Trio records While I Run This Race, University of Wyoming November 7, 2025 is an important date for my work as a composer. On this day, While I Run This Race: Music of Hope, Dedication and Celebration will be released to the public by AMP Recordings ( https://www.amp-recordings.com ).  CD copies are available for those who prefer traditional technology; digital copies and steaming opportunities will also be available through major services, including Bandcamp, Amaz

News and Updates: Organ, July 2025 Joan’s organ recital produces a new premiere Summers are usually the time for Joan to prepare for a fall organ recital. But this time, opportunity knocked in July, as she was invited to perform on a new summer recital series sponsored by Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Crestview Hills, Kentucky. Joan’s program on Sunday, July 13, was the second in a series of four concerts on the GDLA Choral Scholar Summer Recital Series. Each program helps t

"Discover 'Come, Beloved of the Maker' - a new choral piece by Doug McConnell with text by Susan Palo Cherwien, available now from Augsburg-Fortress Music. I am pleased to announce that Augsburg-Fortress Press in Minneapolis has released a new choral anthem, Come Beloved of the Maker . Written for SATB choir and organ, this anthem is suitable for the Epiphany season, Transfiguration Sunday especially. It also has possible applications during the Advent season. The anthem feat

Church musicians come in all sizes when it comes to background and training. Some have professional degrees in music, while others have...

October brought Joan and I to Houghton University in western New York, to attend the annual conference of the Christian Fellowship of Art...

Earlier this spring, I was pleased to have a short piano work of mine performed by my good friend David Kirkendall as part of a solo...

A New Work for Clarinet Clarinetist Stacy Smith, a member of the instrumental faculty at Xavier University and I are embarking on a new...