"Across the Void" for SATB choir
music by David Archer
text by Edwin Markham (1852-1940)


Recorded on May 9, 2014
Jubilate Vocal Ensemble, directed by Dr. Larry Nickel


The words are the second stanza of this poem:

Anchored To The Infinite

The builder who first bridged Niagara’s gorge, 
Before he swung his cable, shore to shore, 
Sent out across the gulf his venturing kite 
Bearing a slender cord for unseen hands
To grasp upon the further cliff and draw 
A greater cord, and then a greater yet; 
Till at the last across the chasm swung 
The cable then the mighty bridge in air!

So we may send our little timid thought
Across the void, out to God’s reaching hands— 
Send out our love and faith to thread the deep— 
Thought after thought until the little cord
Has greatened to a chain no chance can break, 
And we are anchored to the Infinite!

Edwin Markham (1852-1940)

For more choral music, visit:
www.davidarcher.net


Across The Void

A documentary-style interview segment with CBC Daybreak North host Carolina de Ryk and my collaborator, visual artist Benedicte Hansen. We're talking about our show at the Haida Gwaii Museum called "Life Writ In Water". That show features my audio installation which is also the title track of my Sep 2023 album, "We Have All the Time on Earth". The museum shows runs from Sep 2022 - March 2023.

This interview aired on January 5, 2023.

www.davidarcher.net

CBC Radio Interview: We Have All the Time on Earth album + audio installation

Ar Hyd y Nos (All Through the Night)
music for SATB choir
arranged by David Archer

Performance by Vox Humana Chamber Choir (Brian Wismath, director)
www.voxhumanachoir.ca

This beautiful Welsh carol is arranged for SATB choir. There are three verses in this arrangement. The first and third are in Welsh, and the second is in English. It begins with a humming section of 9 bars that may be repeated as necessary at the beginning of a concert, while the choir is walking in, for example. The first two verses have a simple setting, while the third is more involved, with some divisi (up to two per section). This arrangement would be a fantastic addition to any Christmas concert.

Follow along in the score, and order copies for your choir at www.soundstone.ca/ar-hyd-y-nos



Ar Hyd y Nos (All Through The Night)

In Sweet Music - winner of DaCapo Chamber Choir's 2015 NewWorks Competition
music for SATB choir
composed by David Archer
text by William Shakespeare

Live concert recording by DaCapo Chamber Choir (Leonard Enns, conductor). Used with permission. www.dacapochamberchoir.ca

Read the score at: www.soundstone.ca/in-sweet-music


In Sweet Music

*Winner of the Six Degree Singers' 2015 Young Composer Competition 2015*

Music by David Archer
Text: "Stars" by Sara Teasdale
Performance by the Six Degree Singers (Rachel Carlson, director)
Recording used with permission: www.singsix.com

SATB with minimal divisi.
See the score at: soundstone.ca/flame-and-shadow/

On a clear night, the stars are a spectacle, shining down on us with permanent, vast riches. However, looking into the giant universe can also feed our feelings of insignificance. To me, the night sky is a reminder of both peace and pain.

Photo: Bureau of Land Management, Flickr


Flame And Shadow

"Fly On" 
for SAB choir + vocal solo + piano 
music and text by David Archer

Performed by LTCHS Chamber Choir and Ladies' Choir (Lisa Friesen, director) in Red Deer, Alberta.
Vocal soloist - Sarah-jane Streibel
Pianist - Erica Ortlieb 

Read the score at: www.soundstone.ca/fly-on

Text:
All shall be well.

We are prairie wind
Lifting ghosts of voices past 
Over shadow plain

We are ocean rain 
Sailing down to earth 
Seeds of light cascade

Fly on, fly on, fly on, 
Oh soaring light. 
Fly on, fly on, fly on, 
Oh pale blue dot, 
Fly on.

All shall be well.

//
Recording used with permission. 
This piece was made possible by a commission from the Lindsay Thurber Music Parents' Association.

Fly On

*Winner of the Six Degree Singers' 2015 Young Composer Competition*

Music by David Archer
Text: "Stars" by Sara Teasdale
Performance by Pro Coro Canada (Michael Zaugg, director) at All Saints Anglican Cathedral, Edmonton, Canada. October 23, 2016.

Recording used with permission. www.procoro.ab.ca

SATB with minimal divisi.
See the score at: soundstone.ca/flame-and-shadow/

On a clear night, the stars are a spectacle, shining down on us with permanent, vast riches. However, looking into the giant universe can also feed our feelings of insignificance. To me, the night sky is a reminder of both peace and pain.

Image credit: Trevor Bexon, Flickr

In Sweet Music - winner of DaCapo Chamber Choir's 2015 NewWorks Competition (Leonard Enns, director)

music for SATB choir
composed by David Archer
text by William Shakespeare

Live concert recording by Vancouver Cantata Singers (Paula Kremer, conductor). Used with permission. http://www.vancouvercantatasingers.com/

Read the score at: www.soundstone.ca/in-sweet-music

In sweet music is such art,
Killing care and grief of heart,
        Fall asleep, or hearing, die.

single released July 14, 2018
composed, performed, and recorded by David Archer

See a gallery of photos from field recordings and read the story behind "Labyrinth" at: 
davidarcher.net/labyrinth

Labyrinth

These field recordings were made near Queen Charlotte, on Graham Island, Haida Gwaii. Since the earth and culture belong to all of us, I'm placing them in the public domain.

I used these recordings in a piece of music called "Labyrinth", released on July 14, 2018. To hear that and see photos, visit:
davidarcher.net/labyrinth

Tlell River rain

Studio deck rain and many birds

Gore Brook trickle

Gore Brook flow

Faint creek with birds

Composer and pianist based in Queen Charlotte, BC. Get scores and listen to music at https://davidarcher.net

David Archer, composer, etc.

Popular tracks