A new setting of M. Lowrie Hofford's text, "Abide with me, 'tis eventide." Also available for TTBB voices.

Eventide - Songs of Autumn and Evening

Eventide

A simple setting for SATB choir/piano...performed by the Rocky Mountain Chamber Choir

O Nata Lux

A nocturnal meditation during the month of November in the eastern United States...

November

A new TTBB arrangement of the well-known folk tune, performed by Harrisonburg, VA men's group Striking Accord. Jacob Nissley sings the tenor solo. Recorded live at Park View Mennonite Church on 4/21/24

Wayfaring Stranger

"Weeping may endure for the night, but joy comes with the morning..."  An atmospheric setting of this brief text from Psalm 30:5, performed live by the Winchester Musica Viva, Dr. W. Bryce Hayes conducting.

Joy In The Morning - Winchester Musica Viva

A setting of 17th century Welsh poet George Herbert's "Easter Wings," composed by Douglas Byler and performed by The Avdon Ensemble

Easter Wings

This arrangement was done for my little sisters wedding in December of 2016.  She was kind enough to let me "test-drive" it at another wedding in October, and this recording is the result.

O Perfect Love - Live From Wedding Performance

This is the full list of recordings from my senior composition recital at James Madison University on March 17, 2017.

The River Sleeps Beneath the Sky

Etudes for Woodwind Quintet

As the Deer

This setting of the "O Sapientia" text from the "O" antiphons sets arpeggiated chords in the harp (or piano) against long, sustained tones in the choir to create an atmosphere of emotional intensity as we ask Wisdom to "...come, and teach us the way of prudence."  In this live recording, Dr Jo-Anne van der Vat-Chromy conducts The Madison Singers in the premiere performance, with harpist Karlee Lanum.

Lessons and Carols - 2016

O Sapientia - The Madison Singers

"O Sapientia" from the advent antiphons, choral setting by Douglas Byler, performance by KC VITAS, with artistic director Jackson Thomas.

O Sapientia - KC VITAS

A joyful setting of an anonymous Christmas poem.  Performed by friends and students from Westminster Choir College, conducted by John Swedberg.

Sing Of Joy - Douglas Byler, WCC Graduate Recital

Beginning with a Psalm of repentance and pleas for mercy, this set of texts progresses through an expression of trust, then to thankfulness and joy as the Psalmists prayer is heard and he is given a “new song of praise to God.”  “Miserere” begins with a haunting plea for help, using a scale that gives prominence to the augmented second interval.  The second movement is entirely a cappella, and makes use of an ascending gesture through the voice parts to communicate the Psalmist’s trust being placed in God.  The “climax” of this movement is not so much the high and loud as the quiet “into your hands I commit my spirit.”  “Expectans expectavi” begins with a patient wait as the piano grapples alone with doubts and fears before coming to rest with the entrance of the choir.  The final few minutes puts the simple melody from which this movement is constructed into a celebratory, rhythmic drive to the end on the text “and put a new song in my mouth, of praise to God.”

I Miserere
Miserere mei, Deus: secundum magnam misericordiam tuam.
Et secundum multitudinem miserationum tuarum, dele iniquitatem meam.

Amplius lava me ab iniquitate mea: et a peccato meo munda me.
Quoniam iniquitatem meam ego cognosco: et peccatum meum contra me est semper.
Tibi soli peccavi, et malum coram te feci: ut justificeris in sermonibus tuis, et vincas cum judicaris.

Asperges me hysopo, et mundabor: lavabis me, et super nivem dealbabor.

Have mercy upon me, O God, after your great goodness
According to your great  mercies 
delete my offences.
Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity: and from my sin, cleanse me.
For I acknowledge my faults: and my sin is always before me.
Against you only have I sinned, and done evil in thy sight: that you might be justified when you speak, and clear when you judge.

Purge me with hyssop, and I will be clean,
Wash me and I will be whiter than snow.

Three Latin Psalms:  I. Miserere

Beginning with a Psalm of repentance and pleas for mercy, this set of texts progresses through an expression of trust, then to thankfulness and joy as the Psalmists prayer is heard and he is given a “new song of praise to God.”  “Miserere” begins with a haunting plea for help, using a scale that gives prominence to the augmented second interval.  The second movement is entirely a cappella, and makes use of an ascending gesture through the voice parts to communicate the Psalmist’s trust being placed in God.  The “climax” of this movement is not so much the high and loud as the quiet “into your hands I commit my spirit.”  “Expectans expectavi” begins with a patient wait as the piano grapples alone with doubts and fears before coming to rest with the entrance of the choir.  The final few minutes puts the simple melody from which this movement is constructed into a celebratory, rhythmic drive to the end on the text “and put a new song in my mouth, of praise to God.”

in te Domine speravi non confundar in aeternum in iustitia tua salva me
inclina ad me aurem tuam velociter libera me esto mihi in lapidem fortissimum et in domum munitam ut salves me
in manu tua commendabo spiritum meum redemisti me Domine Deus veritatis

In you, O Lord, I trust.  Do not ever confound me, in your righteousness save me.
Incline to me your ear, and quickly liberate me.
Be to me a protector, and a house of refuge to save me.
Into your hands I commend my spirit,
you have redeemed me, O God of truth.

Three Latin Psalms:  II. In Te, Domine

Beginning with a Psalm of repentance and pleas for mercy, this set of texts progresses through an expression of trust, then to thankfulness and joy as the Psalmists prayer is heard and he is given a “new song of praise to God.”  “Miserere” begins with a haunting plea for help, using a scale that gives prominence to the augmented second interval.  The second movement is entirely a cappella, and makes use of an ascending gesture through the voice parts to communicate the Psalmist’s trust being placed in God.  The “climax” of this movement is not so much the high and loud as the quiet “into your hands I commit my spirit.”  “Expectans expectavi” begins with a patient wait as the piano grapples alone with doubts and fears before coming to rest with the entrance of the choir.  The final few minutes puts the simple melody from which this movement is constructed into a celebratory, rhythmic drive to the end on the text “and put a new song in my mouth, of praise to God.”

expectans expectavi Dominum et inclinatus est ad me
et audivit clamorem meum et eduxit me de lacu famoso de luto caeni et statuit super petram pedes meos stabilivit gressus meos
et dedit in ore meo canticum novum laudem Deo

I waited patiently for the Lord, and he heard me
And he heard my prayers, and brought me out of the pit of misery and the miry dregs, set my feet on a rock, and stabilized my path
And put a new song in my mouth of praise to God.

Three Latin Psalms:  III. Expectans Expectavi

Hymn text based on the Beatitudes from the gospel of Matthew, music by Douglas Byler, performed by the Joyful Hearts Chorus.

Douglas Byler

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