Testimonials

It has been a delight and wonder to discover music by Sean in recent years.  As it happens, Sean’s rich collaborations with Paul Caldwell have garnered much deserved attention and these works are a staple of many conductor’s go-to repertoire.  Sean has another life as a composer writing entirely in his own voice, a voice that is lyrical and infused with coloristic keyboard writing.  His many years of work with treble choirs informs his writing—this is music that celebrates color and beauty.  In a recent recording by the ensemble ~mirabai~ of Sean’s work “The Peace of Wild Things,” one hears Sean’s craft of melody alongside an exquisite keyboard landscape, moving convincingly from despair to hope.  This music is deeply satisfying.

Sandra Snow, PhD

Michigan State University College of Music

MSU Women’s Chamber Ensemble

Founder and Artistic Director, mirabai women’s ensemble

Artistic Director, CME Institute for Choral Teacher Education

After having sung a couple of Sean’s pieces, my chancel choir was thrilled to learn that we had commissioned him to create something special for us. The result was “The Sacred Dance of Life,” and my choir just thought they were happy before! Sean is a master at finding texts, which makes the process even more rewarding, and the resulting music, along with that gorgeous Rumi prayer, could not have been more perfect. It is just the right amount of challenge, but Sean’s gift of crafting wonderfully singable lines had the singers leaning in and so eager to make it right. A wonderful collaboration and new friendship has led to a second commission for an important (surprise) upcoming event! In a world awash with predictable music, commissioning Sean will no doubt produce fresh, unique, gorgeous art that your choir will be singing season after season.   

Sid Davis

Director of Music and Fine Arts

St. Luke’s United Methodist Church

Houston, TX

Our performance of Christe, lux mundi was rewarding for the singers and well-received by the listeners - a winner from both perspectives!  The three movements vary in style, so they stand alone, but together there’s a powerful emotional journey.  From the lush dissonances and resolutions of “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” and the stark longing of “Night in Arizona”, to the powerful and uplifting “Jesus, the Light of the World,” there is a strong thread of prophecy, need and fulfillment.

From the beginning of the commissioning process, Sean Ivory was committed to delivering the music to fit our special occasion.  He was communicative as the project progressed, and responsive to our opinions and suggestions.  The result is a stunning meld of newly-created music and re-imagined favorites.  

Dr. Patrick Coyle

Artistic Director, Holland Chorale

Minister of Music, Park Congregational Church

Chorus Master, Opera Grand Rapids

The Chamber Choir of Grand Rapids commissioned Sean to write Sing for us, our first-ever commissioning. The experience was positive from the very first contact. Sean's immediate response was an enthusiastic "YES!" before we'd even decided on a text! And things just kept getting better throughout the process. He had insightful questions regarding such things as style, ability level of the group, and length of the song, and stayed in communication with me regularly. 

It didn't end with Sean handing over the score. He came to a rehearsal, willingly sharing with us how he approached setting the text, why he chose particular intervals and harmonic progressions, and his thoughts about the overall construction of the song. It was so helpful to get this background directly from the composer. Not only did he provide this insight, he was extremely encouraging and supportive of our efforts. 

The result is exceptional. Sing displays Sean's creativity and commitment to expressing the text at the highest level. At our first reading of the music, the choir fell in love with the song before the piano introduction had finished. It was both a challenge and a thrill to work on and perform this wonderful music!

Sing will remain a centerpiece of our concerts for years to come!

Mark Webb

Director, Chamber Choir of Grand Rapids

I am a long-time fan of Sean Ivory's work; his compositions have become a staple in all of our choirs' repertoire. (My singers are always eager to perform one of Sean's pieces.) I was thrilled when Sean accepted a commission for our SSAA ensemble, the Northwestern Michigan College Chamber Singers. From the beginning, it was a collaborative endeavor. Sean asked many questions about our ensemble and what we wanted from the piece in terms of character, complexity, tempo, range, etc. Although I had suggested he pick out the text and follow his compositional instincts, he offered a few texts for the two of us to consider. We settled on one, a powerful text by Anthony Silvestri, and Sean got right to work. When we received the piece, "Into the Light of a New Day," I was thrilled! It was more than I could have hoped for - it was powerful, moving, and a perfect fit for our ensemble. The more we rehearsed the piece, the more we loved it, and the more we "discovered" within the piece - the mark of a well-crafted piece. We were fortunate enough to have Sean present for the premiere, it was a truly magical performance. We performed the piece a few more times that spring and at each performance the audience was moved by Sean's inspiring music. My singers and I are so grateful to Sean for his brilliant work. And, we are thrilled that he has accepted another commission from us for the upcoming season. Thank you Sean!

Jeffrey Cobb

Director of Music Programs

Northwestern Michigan College

Chanson was the perfect piece at the perfect time.  Commissioned in memory of a person who was both a teaching colleague and parent volunteer, the artistry unveiled in the piece contributed simultaneously to the musical growth of the student musicians and to the healing process in our learning community.

Hearing the piece performed at state and local conventions and watching the reactions of colleagues to the work confirmed what I already knew - this is a special piece that will be performed perpetually as part of the high school/collegiate choral repertoire.

Having Sean Ivory on our campus working with students unlocked the deeper meaning of Chanson in amazing ways.  As Sean guest conducted our ILMEA District Festival Choir, that meaning was shared with a wider network of students and teachers.  This piece is an impact work on many levels, and Sean's personal artistry and ability to forge connections with students deepened that impact to the fullest possible extent.

Glenn Williams

Fine Arts Department Chair, Downers Grove South High School