MIDI DEMO of composition for baritone and strings (string quintet or string orchestra), using an English translation of Syrian poet Nizar Qabbani's heart-wrenching poem "12 Roses in Balqis's Hair", written after his wife, Balqis Al-Rawi, was killed in a terrorist bombing in the early 1980s.

Twelve Roses in Balqis's Hair- baritone and strings MIDI DEMO

Willie Doonan
Opera in 3 Acts
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Music by Nicholas Skedgell
Libretto by Valentina Dotsenko

Willie Doonan (Baritone): black US auto worker
Philip (Tenor): Willie’s white coworker and friend
*Katya (Soprano): Russian coworker
*Tonya (Mezzo): Katya’s friend and coworker
*Ivan (Baritone): NKVD officer
* NOTE: Russian roles are sung in Russian.

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Willie Doonan - Act 1
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Scene 1: (Detroit auto factory, Fall 1934)

Willie and Philip wait with other mechanics outside the Auto Plant worker's entrance gate. A group of men lament the scarcity of work and hope to be selected by the foreman. The meager list is read, a handful of workers enter and the gate is locked.

The group outside become enraged and their protest turns into a riot. Security is called, many are arrested and peace is restored.

Willie and Philip take the rejection in stride. They discuss their options for the remainder of the day.

A clerk enters and distributes announcement sheets. The plant is seeking trained mechanics to relocate to a new factory in Russia.

After some discussion, Willie and Philip decide to accept the offer. They leave to apply for the jobs.

Scene 2: (Nizhny Novgorod, Russia auto factory, late winter 1935)

Willie is outside, on the factory's lot tuning a new Model A. The overseas location is a big change for him. He questions his decision. Two Russian women (Katya and Tonya) enter to detail the car.

Philip enters dressed in a baseball uniform. He speaks some Russian and is able to briefly converse with Tonya.

Time for the baseball practice has begun. Tonya needs to get fresh cleaning rags. They leave together.

Willie and Katya build some rapport. They teach each other a few words of English and Russian. Katya asks about Willie's reason to visit Russia. His answer reveals the necessity, but also his love for America. Katya declares her love for Russia. Both acknowledge their shared love of country.

Two white, racist American auto workers appear. They see Willie working with Katya and become enraged. A fight ensues. Katya flees for help.

Katya returns with 2 NKVD agents and officer Ivan.

The racists are arrested and taken away.

A group of citizens and co-workers learned of the attack and gather to declare Willie a hero.

-- Curtain

Willie Doonan Act 1

Joey Sturgis Tones free stuff is sick

“Inner Space” is an uplifting and reflective song that honors the sacred space within each of us—a place for healing, growth, and self-kindness. With a smooth, soulful groove and heartfelt lyrics, the song invites listeners to slow down, reconnect, and remember that true harmony begins within. It's a celebration of inner peace, self-awareness, and the ripple effect of love and compassion.

Inner Space

"Tenderness" is a ukulele composition by Choan Galvez

Played on baritone 'Oli L1 acacia with LR Baggs 5.0 pickup.
Recorded from pickup and condenser microphone CAD GLX1200 (pickup L, mic R).
Reverb added in Reaper - OriRiver plugin.

No.1 Tenderness (20250423)

Recording of Christopher Hart, baritone and Dr. Henry Jones, piano

But Who May Abide?/Refiner's Fire

This is a slightly more polished version of She took a Bad Turn

She took a bad turn - New Mastered version

Slack key ukulele composition by Mark Kailana Nelson

Played on baritone 'Oli L1 acacia with LR Baggs 5.0 pickup.
Recorded from pickup and condenser microphone CAD GLX1200 (pickup L, mic R).
Reverb added in Reaper - OriRiver plugin.

Slack Key #1 (20250428)

Bransle de Poictou — Adrian Le Roy
Adrian Le Roy (c. 1520–1598) was one of the most important figures in 16th-century French music — not only as a composer, but also as a lutenist, music publisher, and editor. He helped establish printed music for the lute and guitar-like instruments through his work with Pierre Attaingnant and later his own publishing house.

Bransle de Poictou is one of Le Roy’s lighter, dance-oriented compositions:

Bransle (sometimes spelled branle, pronounced "brawl") was a popular French Renaissance dance, typically performed in a line or circle, with simple side-to-side steps.

Poictou (modern spelling: Poitou) is a region in western France — so the title suggests a local or regional variation of the bransle style.

Bransles could be slow or lively, depending on the setting. Some were courtly, others rustic. Bransle de Poictou likely leans toward the graceful but animated style — flowing rather than stomping.

Musically:

The piece is usually simple and lyrical, structured around short phrases with repeat signs, typical for dance music where predictability helped dancers coordinate.

It was originally composed for lute, but it adapts beautifully to instruments like the guitar or ukulele, especially with a delicate, flowing touch.

Fun historical note: In the Renaissance, dances like bransles were social — often a chance for interaction, flirtation, or communal celebration. They would sometimes transition between slow and faster bransles to create variety during festivities.

Arranged by Samantha Muir

Played on baritone 'Oli L1 acacia with LR Baggs 5.0 pickup.
Recorded from pickup and condenser microphone CAD GLX1200 (pickup L, mic R).
Reverb added in Reaper - OriRiver plugin.

Bransle Poictou (20250429)

"Pūpū Hinuhinu" is a Hawaiian children written in 1950 by "Auntie" Nona Beamer.   

🌺 Background on "Pūpū Hinuhinu"   
Song Title Meaning:   
"Pūpū" = "shell" (like a seashell)
"Hinuhinu" = "shiny" or "sparkling"   
So Pūpū Hinuhinu roughly means "Shiny Shell" — it's a tender, sparkling image that fits a children's song perfectly.   

🎶 About the Song   
"Pūpū Hinuhinu" is a beloved Hawaiian children's song, often sung at schools, gatherings, and by families to young children.   

It’s about gathering beautiful, shiny shells along the beach, reflecting the simple joys of nature and connection to the land and sea.   

The melody is gentle, lyrical, and soothing, ideal for lullabies or teaching young children Hawaiian language through song.   

🌿 About Nona Beamer ("Aunty Nona")    
Nona Kapuailohiamanonokalani Beamer (1923–2008), known affectionately as "Aunty Nona," was one of the most influential figures in preserving and promoting traditional Hawaiian music, dance (hula), language, and storytelling.     

She came from a distinguished musical family — the Beamer family — and worked tirelessly to keep traditional Hawaiian culture vibrant. She is also a mother of Keola Beamer - one of Hawaii's preeminent slack key guitarists.    

Her approach combined authenticity with education: she wrote songs, performed, and taught both in Hawaii and around the world.    

Many of her compositions, like Pūpū Hinuhinu, are aimed at teaching love of nature, language, and culture to keiki (children) in a way that's natural and joyful.    

🌈 Cultural Importance    
Pūpū Hinuhinu is often one of the first songs children learn in Hawaiian, helping perpetuate cultural pride and connection from a young age.    

It's simple, but the imagery of picking shells that shine and sparkle ties deeply to Hawaiian ideas of cherishing small, natural beauties — a value embedded throughout Hawaiian thinking (known as maikaʻi — the appreciation of goodness and beauty).    

🐚 Typical Themes in the Lyrics    
Admiring the shells that shine in the sunlight    
Walking along the sandy beach (kahakai)    
Gathering the shells lovingly into your hands    

Joy and wonder at nature's simple treasures     

Lyrics:    
Pûpû hinuhinu    
Pûpû hinuhinu e    
O ke kahakai kahakai e    
Pûpû hinuhinu e   
    
Pûpû hinuhinu    
Pûpû hinuhinu e    
E lohe kâkou e    
Pûpû hinu e    
    
Pûpû hinu hinu    
Pûpû hinuhinu e    
E moe e moe    
E moe e    

Translation:    
Shiny shell    
My shiny little shell    
Found at the seashore    
My shell, shiny shell    
    
Shiny shell    
My shiny little shell    
We all listen    
My shell, shiny shell    

Shiny shell    
My shiny little shell    
To sleep, now to sleep    
To sleep, to sleep    

Arranged by Mark Kailana Nelson

Played on baritone 'Oli L1 acacia with LR Baggs 5.0 pickup.     
Recorded from pickup and condenser microphone CAD GLX1200 (pickup L, mic R).    
Reverb added in Reaper - OriRiver plugin.

Pūpū Hinuhinu (20250429)

Composer Daniel Black was a finalist of the Prokofiev International Composition Competition, and Composer-in-Residence of the Southwest Horn Conference.  His orchestra piece ´Ghost Light’ made the Top 50 out of over 700 submitted scores in the European Recording Orchestra’s 2023 Composition Competition.  His compositions and arrangements have been performed by the Florida Orchestra, Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra, the Eastman Wind Ensemble, and others.  Also a conductor, he was Resident Conductor of the Florida Orchestra for four seasons, and has conducted professional orchestras and opera companies across the United States.  For more information visit www.danielblackconductor.com

My musical style is a unique blend of rock, classical, easy listening, and experimental sounds. I'm fueled by a desire to create something truly original, which often leads to unexpected but captivating auditory experiences. I only share music that genuinely resonates with me, so what you hear is always a reflection of my own love for the art. When it comes to songs with vocals, my intention is to inspire, uplift, and bring happiness. Most of these songs are born from my own poems, posts, or writings, giving them a deeper, personal touch.

Thank you to all our supporters. Just a quick note to promoters. If you are a legitimate representative of a label, I am delighted to talk with you. If you are offering a streams for pay service, I have to say no.

Christopher Hart is an acclaimed musician and composer with a rich foundation in classical and contemporary music.

Christopher's love for composition took flight in 1990, and he has since established himself as a highly regarded film score composer, delivering five critically acclaimed scores for the 12 Westerns in 12 Months project. His score for "Counting Bullets" earned Festival Director’s Choice for Best Score at the Cowpokes International Film Festival in 2022, and the soundtrack for “Heart of the Gun" topped 40,000 streams on Amazon Music in a mere two months.

Encouraged by his mother, a church pianist, he began singing and playing instruments at a young age. He honed his skills through piano and trumpet lessons, choir performances, and college bands, eventually discovering a passion for opera during grad school at the University of Missouri-Kansas City.

In addition to his composing, Christopher is a versatile performer, singing with Opera Mississippi and arranging music for stage bands, concert bands, and choirs. With a vision to develop his hybrid film soundtrack style, blending orchestral and synth elements, he is dedicated to collaborating with film directors and bringing new life to each film. Christopher is driven to compose full-time and is eager to work with more directors, continually evolving his musical style. Born in Ottumwa, Iowa and now residing in McComb, Mississippi, Christopher Hart works as a director of music, arts, and media at a local church, inspired by his mother and encouraged by his wife, an artist in her own right.

Nicholas Skedgell - b. 1952
is a concert music composer whose work has been performed by leading musicians, including members of the New York Philharmonic, Metropolitan Opera, Elmar Oliveira, Dale Clevenger, Leonard Raver, Orchestra New England and presented at Carnegie Hall, Yale University, Brooklyn College and St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York. He is a graduate of Manhattan School of Music, a student of Nicolas Flagello, violin with Louis Carlini and a member of ASCAP since 1974.

New tracks tagged #baritone