Rice Majors, composer
I am a musical theatre composer who has also worked over the years as a music director on shows from Sondheim to Gilbert & Sullivan.
Below are demo tracks of current and recent musical projects. All of these were recorded by singers who volunteered their time with very little rehearsal so please enjoy the wonderful singing and forgive the occasional moments of sight-reading.
The Right Note
A musical updating of Twelfth Night where the action is set during a singing competition television show (The Right Note). As the show opens, the eight remaining contestants are preparing to sing duets on this week's episode. This is an unproduced new musical ready for a full production after having gone through a series of workshops. Music & lyrics by Rice Majors; book & lyrics by Jerome Joseph Gentes.
Act 1: The remaining contestants have trouble with their Sound Check for tonight's live broadcast, as one contestant -- Sevas -- is missing. His twin, Vi, pretends to be him to keep him alive in the competition, as everyone plots how to win this week's challenge to sing in duets (Perfect Plan). Vi wonders how long she can keep this masquerade alive (Perfect Plan #2 ) but later realizes that the disguise offers her some changes to exercise some male privilege (I am the Man). Meanwhile, several other contestants have their own schemes (Perfect Plan #3). Duke and Vi have a soundcheck (Rehearsal of There Isn't...) and then chat with Fez-T about women and relationships (Suffer for Love). Duke gives Vi a pep talk, and encourages "Sevas" to remember last week's electric performance (Send Up a Searchlight). Meanwhile, Lady O reflects on this "new" Sevas (Vi in disguise) and Duke (Come Again) while Mal imagines himself with Lady O (When I Close My Eyes). As they go live on air, during the Opening Credits the contestants receive a little surprise about how the duet pairings will be decided.
Act 2: The random lottery assigns Fez-T and Mariah together (Dance Floor is Calling), Toby and Andreas together (Old Fashioned Love Song), and Mal and Lady O together Such a Catch). Vi is increasingly anxious about potentially singing as "Sevas" on live television, when Sevas finally shows up (You're Welcome). Even so, Vi and Duke sing the final dynamic duet on air (There Isn't a Way). Vi finally reveals who she really is (Journey's End) and we find out how everything turns out, in and out of the competition (Closing Credits). [all songs: 10]
As You Like It
I wrote the music for the songs of this Shakespeare play for a 2022 production at Masquers Playhouse (Richmond, CA) set during the summer of love (1967) in San Francisco. The same actor played Amiens and Hymen in this production. Music by Rice Majors; lyrics by William Shakespeare. I am happy for other productions to use this music at no charge. Production photo by Mike Padua.
Under the Greenwood tree. Vocals for Amiens [contralto] (and Jaques [baritone]) with guitar accompaniment.
Blow, blow, thou winter wind. Vocals for Amiens, optional backing vocals for ensemble, with guitar accompaniment
What shall he have that killed the deer. Vocals for Amiens and ensemble in three-part canon, with guitar accompaniment. Adapted from memory from a version with music by Stephen Windheim produced in 1987 at Nottingham High School (Syracuse, NY).
It was a lover and his lass. Vocals for Amiens, Touchstone, and Audrey (singing in unison [two altos and one baritone]), with guitar accompaniment.
Wedding is great Juno's crown. Vocals for Hymen [contralto] with guitar accompaniment.
The Marvelous Land of Oz
A new musical adaptation of the second book in the Wizard of Oz series, to be produced by the Orinda Starlight Village Players in summer 2022 with a mixed cast of adults and children. Most vocal lines will support actors of any voice part singing them. Music by Rice Majors; lyrics by Malcolm Cowler. Additional music by Ray Christensen and Chris Kula; additional lyrics by Rice Majors.
Wicked as can be. Mombi. Audio. [11]
Marvelous Land of Oz. Tip and ensemble. Audio and score [11]
Please don't chop us down. Jinjur and ensemble. Audio and score [11]
H.M. Wogglebug, T.E. Wogglebug, with Tip, Jack, Nick, Scarecrow, Saw-Horse. Audio and score [11]
Queen of the Mice. Queen and ensemble. Audio [Music by Chris Kula] [11]
Flying machine. Scarecrow, Tip, Jack, Nick, Wogglebug, Saw-Horse. Audio and score [11]
Princess Ozma. Glinda, Mombi, Tip, and ensemble. [Lyrics by Rice Majors] Audio and score [11]
Life is fun. Ensemble. Audio [Music by Ray Christensen] [11]
The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940
I wrote the music for the two songs and a song fragment for this play with songs -- originally for a production at Cornell University (Gateway Theatre, 2001) and later revised for a production with the Orinda Starlight Village Players (2019). I am happy for other productions to use this music at no charge. Music by Rice Majors; lyrics by John Bishop. Production photo by Charlie Jarrett.
Whitehouse Merry-Go-Round. Vocals for Nikki, Bernice, O'Reilly, Roger, and Eddie. There is a piano part that Roger can play from onstage or can be prerecorded.
Everyone Can Do It Better. Vocals for Nikki and Eddie. There is a piano part that Roger can play from onstage or can be prerecorded.
Mischief in Washington (fragment). Vocals for Bernice, a cappella.
[Contact me for midi tracks and/or sheet music.]
Robin Hood
A comic musical cantata based on the legendary characters. Music & lyrics by Rice Majors. This project is on hold while I'm focusing on the above collaborations.
The Men in Lincoln Green - In the first scene, Robin and the Merry Men convince John Little to join them. [1]
Finale Ultimo -- In the last scene, a surprise visitor interrupts Guy of Gisborne's attempt to wed Maid Marion.
Excerpt 1: Ring Ye Forth, Wedding Bells. [2]
Excerpt 2: Come Be My Wife / Men in Lincoln Green (reprise) [2]
Other dramatic songs
Songs written for other projects. Music & lyrics by Rice Majors except as noted.
Mom, You Be the Octopus -- a musical interlude for mother & child [9] (lyrics taken from an actual conversation between Henry Paul Anthony, age 5, and his mother)
Take, O Take Those Lips Away -- from William Shakespeare's Measure for Measure. Two treble voices, a cappella. I am happy for other productions to use this music at no charge.
Other musical projects
I've arranging for wind ensemble, chorus, and chorus with wind ensemble, as well as re-arranging for musical theatre pit orchestras when I was conducting various groups along the way. I've conducted larger pit orchestras and played piano while leading smaller pit orchestras, working with community theatre and opera companies as well as high school theatre programs.
Credits
(italicized credits are for recordings that have been superseded and removed)
[1] Vocals by Scot Wood, Rice Majors (Robin Hood; Pizza Recipient), Brian Dixon (Friar Tuck; Ad Respondent #3), Ben Walter (Ad Respondent #2), Eric Tipler (John Little; Ad Respondent #1), Mark Chen (Pizza Delivery Man), Mark Gibson, and Alan Olejniczak. Piano by Rice Majors. Recording engineering by Rob Simutis. March 28, 2009.
[2] Vocals by Astra Valters (Eleanor of Aquitaine; Interlude Singer), Rob Ferguson, Brian Dixon (Friar Tuck; Ad Respondent #3; Muni Bus Rider), Ben Walter (Ad Respondent #2; Diane Sawyer's Biggest Fan), Ed Mathews, David Bromley, Rice Majors, and Mark Gibson (Guy of Gisborne; Ad Respondent #1). Piano by Rice Majors. Recording engineering by Rob Simutis. June 28, 2010.
[3] Vocals by Genevieve Perdue (Viola), Florinda Larkin (Fez-T in TRN; Lady O in Dancefloor), Amanda Farbstein (Lady O in TRN), Shannon Kealey (Mariah in TRN and Dancefloor), Willie Alexander (Andy in TRN; upper voice in Catch), Jesse Cortez (Mal), Ed Mathews (Toby), and Ryan Henry (Duke in TRN; lower voice in Catch). Piano by Rice Majors. Recording engineering by Rob Simutis. June 6, 2015.
[4] Vocals by Rowan Rivers (Duke), Alison Quin (Fez-T), and Amanda Farbstein (Viola). Piano by Rice Majors. Recording engineering [sic] by Rice Majors. October 4, 2015.
[5] Vocals by Jesse Cortez (Duke), Chris Maltby (Andy), Cabiria Jacobsen (Vi), Shannon Kealey (Mariah), Beebe Reisman (Fez-T), Kyle Stoner (Toby), Joey Alvarado (Mal), Tim Wagner (Sevas), and Florinda Larkin (Lady O). Piano by Rice Majors. Recording engineering by Rob Simutis. February 7, 2016.
[6] Vocals, piano and recording engineering [sic] by Rice Majors. February 24, 2017.
[9] Vocals by Cabiria Jacobsen (Vi, Lady O, Mom/Child), Nick Yenson (Sevas, Duke, Tobias), and Ben Porter (Mal, Andreas). Piano by Rice Majors. Recording engineering by Rob Simutis. May 14, 2017.
[10] Vocals by Megan Bartlett (Vi), Chris Steele (Duke), Elizabeth Jones (Lady O), Daniel Cancel (Sevas), JC Quimpo (Andreas), Brooklyn Page Torres (Tobias), Leslie Ivy (Mariah), Beebe Reisman (Fez-T), Nick Bailey (Mal), Heather Lukens (Emcee); with accompaniment from Sheela Ramesh (keyboards), Jacob Wolkenhauer (guitar), Nicholas Martin (bass), and David Walker (drums). Instrumentals recorded at 25th Street Recording in Oakland, California. Recording engineering by Rob Simutis. December 7, 9, and 12, 2018.
[11] Vocals, piano, and recording engineering [sic] by Rice Majors, December 31, 2019 through March 6, 2022.
The Right Note received a public reading of a 20-minute excerpt by Musical Cafe in January 2016 and featured Jesse Cortez (Duke), Chris Maltby (Andreas), Cabiria Jacobsen (Vi), Shannon Kealey (Mariah), Beebe Reisman (Fez-T), Kyle Stoner (Tobias & Sevas), Joey Alvarado (Mal), and Ayelet Firstenberg (Lady O), with music direction by Billy Wolfe and stage direction by Laylah Muran de Assereto.
The Right Note subsequently received a closed reading by Spare Stage in June 2017 and featured Ted Bigornia (Mal), Max Forman-Mullin (Sevas), Hari DaBro Bayani (Andreas), Devon deGroot (Vi), Annie Larson (stage directions & Voice), Brianna Rodriguez (Fez-T), Kitty Torres (Mariah), Michael Conner (Duke), Jeff Mattlin (Tobias), and Sharon Shao (Lady O), with sound board operation by Ted Hlavac and stage direction by Laylah Muran de Assereto. For this reading, recordings of songs were used and featured the voice talents of Willie Alexander, Joey Alvarado, Jesse Cortez, Amanda Farbstein, Ryan Henry, Cabiria Jacobsen, Florinda Larkin, Shannon Kealey, Chris Maltby, Ed Mathews, Genevieve Perdue, Ben Porter, Beebe Reisman, Kyle Stoner, Tim Wagner, and Nick Yenson.
The Right Note received a workshop production by Spare Stage in November-December 2018 and featured Megan Bartlett (Vi), Chris Steele (Duke), Elizabeth Jones (Lady O), Daniel Cancel (Sevas), JC Quimpo (Andreas), Brooklyn Page Torres (Tobias), Leslie Ivy (Mariah), Beebe Reisman (Fez-T), Nick Bailey (Mal), Heather Lukens (Emcee), and Genevieve Perdue (Announcements); with accompaniment from Sheela Ramesh (keyboards), Jacob Wolkenhauer (guitar), Nicholas Martin (bass), and David Walker (drums); and with music direction by Sheela Ramesh, stage management by Michelle Bank, sound design by Jason Jeremy, lighting design by Madison Worthington, and stage direction by Laylah Muran de Assereto.
Thanks to all the singers: Alan Olejniczak, Alison Quin, Astra Valters, Ayelet Firstenberg, Beebe Reisman, Ben Porter, Ben Walters, Brian Dixon, Brooklyn Page Torres, Caibiria Jacobsen, Chris Maltby, Chris Steele, David Bromley, Daniel Cancel, Eric Tipler, Ed Mathews, Elizabeth Jones, Florinda Larkin, Genevieve Perdue, Heather Lukens, JC Quimpo, Jesse Cortez, Joey Alvarado, Kyle Stoner, Leslie Ivy, Mark Chen, Mark Gibson, Megan Bartlett, Nick Bailey, Nick Yenson, Rowan Rivers, Rob Ferguson, Ryan Henry, Scot Wood, Shannon Kealey, Tim Wagner, and Willie Anderson. Thanks to all the instrumentalists: David Walker, Jacob Wolkenhauer, Nicholas Martin, Sheela Ramesh. And thanks to the music directors: Billy Wolfe, Sheela Ramesh. And the biggest thanks of all to recording engineer Rob Simutis!
The Right Note is copyright Rice Majors & Jerome Joseph Gentes 2014-2020. The Marvelous Land of Oz is copyright Rice Majors & Malcolm Cowler 2019-2022, except "Queen of the Mice" (copyright 2017 Chris Kula & Malcolm Cowler) and "Life is Fun" (copyright 2015 Ray Christensen & Malcolm Cowler). All other material on this website is copyright Rice Majors 2009-2022. All rights reserved.
Rice Majors : ricemajors@gmail.com