NEWS
FEBRUARY 2023
Anthem Commission
United Church of Christ Musicians Association has commissioned Peter Niedmann to compose an anthem in celebration of its 30th anniversary. The piece, with a text by George Wither (1588-1667)— Come, O come, our voices raise—will be published in the UCCMA summer journal. Association members will have permission to reproduce the anthem for their choirs.
DECEMBER 2022
Chorus and orchestra premiere new carol arrangement
The Chorus of Westerly (Rhode Island), Andrew Howell, Music Director, premiered Peter Niedmann’s new arrangement of God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen. The chorus, with full orchestra, performed the piece at their popular Christmas Pops concerts to 3 sold-out audiences.
JUNE 2022
New organ collection for Advent and Christmas
Lorenz Publishing Company has released What Child is This? Advent and Christmas Settings for Organ. A wide variety of tunes and approaches characterize these pieces. The tunes included are: GLORIA; STILLE NACHT; GREENSLEEVES; ST. LOUIS; CONDITOR ALME SIDERUM; ABERYSTWYTH; IN DULCI JUBILO; STUTTGART. Click here to peruse and purchase: What Child is This? Advent and Christmas Settings for Organ
New anthem for Rhode Island Chorus
Peter Niedmann will compose an anthem for the Chorus of Westerly (Andrew Howell, Music Director). For 2-part treble chorus and organ, setting the Folliott Pierpoint text, For the Beauty of the Earth; the children of the chorus will premiere the piece at an Evensong service on August 28 at 5:00 pm. The service will be at Watch Hill Chapel, Watch Hill, Rhode Island. Peter will be in residence at the chorus camp in advance of the premiere to work with the choristers on the piece.
MAY 2022
New hymn collaboration with Sandra Niles
Church of Christ, Congregational, Newington, Connecticut celebrates its 300th anniversary this year. Peter Niedmann, its Organist and Director of Music, commissioned 3 new works to celebrate the milestone: An anthem by Paul Halley; an organ work by Alan MacMillan; and a hymn text by Rhode Island poet, Sandra Niles. The new hymn, with music composed by Niedmann, was premiered May 1st during the worship service. Entitled Take steps along a wooded path, with a hymn tune named Newington, the hymn is available free of charge.
DECEMBER 2020
Niedmann Recital includes several premieres
Peter Niedmann performed in a live stream organ recital on Sunday, December 6. He played the acclaimed Austin organ at St. John’s Episcopal Church in West Hartford, Connecticut. Niedmann premiered several of his new works for Advent and Christmas, soon to be published by Lorenz.
Click here to watch the concert.
MARCH 2020
Five Short Communion Motets released by The Sacred Music Press
The Sacred Music Press has released Five Short Communion Motets (SATB, unaccompanied). The set includes O sacrum convivium, O Taste and See, O Savior of the World, Bread for His Body, and Ego sum panis vivus. To peruse and purchase, click here.
DECEMBER 2019
Massachusetts church commissions anthem
West Concord Union Church, Concord, Massachusetts, has commissioned Peter Niedmann to compose an anthem for choir and piano. The text is an inclusive translation of Isaiah 12: 2-6 (“Behold, God is my salvation…”). The anthem will be premiered in 2020 under the direction of Minister of Music James Barkovic.
MARCH 2019
Niedmann wins international composition prize
Peter Niedmann won the Fyfe Prize in March, 2019 for his Praise Ye the Lord for SATB & organ. The Fyfe Prize is an annual choral composition competition administered by the Sewanee Church Music Conference. Composers from Argentina, Australia, Austria, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Croatia, Czech Republic, England, Germany, Italy, New Zealand, Poland, Portugal, Russia, South Korea, Sweden, the United States, and Wales submitted entries. The piece was premiered on March 2 by the Chorus of Westerly, Rhode Island (Andrew Howell, music director). It will be sung at the Sewanee Conference in July. MorningStar Music will publish the anthem in the summer of 2019.
NOVEMBER 2018
Connecticut church commissions choral work
First Congregational Church, Cheshire, Connecticut (Joseph D’Eugenio, Music Director) has commissioned Peter Niedmann to compose a multi-movement choral work for choir and organ. The new piece, celebrating the restoration and expansion of the church’s organ, will be premiered on Sunday, November 3, 2019.
OCTOBER 2018
MorningStar Music publishes I Come With Joy
MorningStar Music has released I Come With Joy. Using the popular Brian Wren text, with its recent revisions, the Communion anthem is for SATB unaccompanied voices. To listen and view the sheet music, click here.
JUNE 2018
If Ye Love Me released by The Sacred Music Press
The Sacred Music Press (Lorenz Corporation) has released If Ye Love Me. For SATB & piano, the anthem uses the classic John 14 text. The piece was premiered in concert by The Chorus of Westerly, Rhode Island (Andrew Howell, Music Director) on March 18th, 2018. To listen and view the sheet music, click here.
DECEMBER 2017
The Sacred Music Press releases Come, Let us Sound with Melody
The Sacred Music Press has published Peter Niedmann's dramatic anthem, Come, Let us Sound with Melody. For SATB & organ, the piece is built on the excellent Thomas Campion poem. The GM Chorale (Joseph D'Eugenio, music director) premiered the piece in 2008 in Newington, Connecticut. To peruse and listen to the anthem, go here.
MAY 2017
Niedmann elected AGO Dean
At the annual meeting of the American Guild of Organists, Greater Hartford Chapter on May 23rd, Peter Niedmann was elected to the office of Dean. His term begins on July 1. The American Guild of Organists is a national organization of academic, church, and concert organists in the United States, headquartered in New York City. Founded as both an educational and service organization, it was chartered by the Board of Regents of the University of the State of New York in 1896, with the authority to grant professional certification to members who passed required examinations. The AGO Greater Hartford Chapter is one of the oldest and most active in the country. This is Peter Niedmann's second time serving as Dean, the first being 1993 - 1995. He holds the Associate and Choirmaster professional certificates of the American Guild of Organists. hartfordago.org
APRIL 2017
Lord, Make Me an Instrument of Thy Peace and Fanfare to be performed on Europe Tour
The Hartford Chorale (Richard Coffey, Music Director) will tour Europe in the summer of 2017. On their concert program will be Lord, Make Me an Instrument of Thy Peace and Fanfare (for organ). The Chorale will perform in Prague, Vienna, and Budapest. Organist, James Barry will perform Fanfare. hartfordchorale.org
MARCH 2017
Heir of the Highest Heaven released by Augsburg Fortress
Augsburg Fortress has published Heir of the Highest Heaven, for SATB voices and organ. Commissioned by First Congregational Church, Columbus, Ohio (Kevin Jones, music director) in 2013, and included on their CD of the same name. Text from the poem "Immanuel" by Washington Gladden, the esteemed former pastor of First Congregational Church, Columbus. The piece is suitable for both Advent and Christmas. To listen to the anthem or purchase sheet music, click: Heir of the Highest Heaven.
FEBRUARY 2017
Sacred Music Press publishes Love Never Ends
Sacred Music Press has released Love Never Ends, for SATB voices and piano. A setting of 1 Corinthians 13, the anthem was commissioned by Peter Niedmann's friend and colleague, John Coghill, honoring John and Joanne Coghill's 50th wedding anniversary. lorenz.com
SEPTEMBER 2016
Organ Recital will Honor Keith Emerson
Peter Niedmann will perform at Church of Christ, Congregational in Newington, Connecticut on Sunday, October 2nd at 4:00. The concert will include music of Langlais, Guilmant, Bach, Niedmann (Veni Creator). Also on the program will be Keith Emerson's The Three Fates (Part One). Keith Emerson, who died March 11th of this year, was the legendary rock keyboardist of Emerson, Lake & Palmer. He was a hero to a generation of keyboard players because of his incredible talent and groundbreaking music. Church of Christ, Congregational is at 1075 Main Street, Newington. newingtonucc.org
JULY 2016
Niedmann Receives AGO Choir Master certificate
Peter Niedmann received the American Guild of Organists Choir Master certificate, after successfully completing a comprehensive written and practical exam in the spring. The Choir Master certificate is awarded to church musicians who possess a broad knowledge of all aspects of church music. Included in the exam are questions about hymnody, liturgy, plainchant notation, harmonic analysis, and choral repertoire. The practical section includes conducting a choir in 3 pieces, harmonizing melodies, sight-reading, and hymn-playing on the organ. He also holds the AGO Associate certificate, which focuses on organ performance.
MAY 2015
Niedmann Work to be Featured in Festival
Come, Let us Sound With Melody will be a featured work in the CONCORA Summer Choral Festival in Berlin, Connecticut. Festival conductor, Joseph D'Eugenio, premiered the work with the Middletown Chorale and performed it in Italy on the Chorale's tour. The anthem is an SATB & organ setting of a Thomas Campion poem. The final festival concert is at Bethany Covenant Church, Berlin, Connecticut on Saturday, July 25 at 4:00. concora.org
APRIL 2015
GIA Publishes Organ Music Collection
GIA Publications has released Peter Niedmann's Eight Hymn Preludes for the Church Year. Included in the set are pieces based on Darwall's 148th, Ellacombe, Hyfrydol, Lasst Uns Erfreuen, Veni Creator Spiritus, O Heiliger Geist, Sussex Carol, and Amazing Grace. giamusic.com
Concordia Releases When I Survey the Wondrous Cross
Concordia Publishing has released Peter Niedmann's anthem, When I Survey the Wondrous Cross. The piece is an arrangement of the classic hymn tune, Rockingham, for 2-part mixed voices and keyboard. cph.org
Niedmann to Perform in Rhode Island
Peter Niedmann will peform an organ recital at Christ Church, Westerly, Rhode Island on April 19th at 4:00 pm. The organ is a C.B. Fisk (Opus 45) mechanical-action instrument with a striking pipe layout. The program will include works of Bach, Stanley, Mozart, Boëllmann, Near, Niedmann, and an improvisation on a theme suggested by the audience. christchurchwesterly.org
DECEMBER 2014
New CD Released
The choir of First Congregational Church, Columbus, Ohio (Kevin Jones, music director) has released a CD of Christmas music - Heir of the Highest Heaven. Peter Niedmann's carol of the same name was commissioned by the choir and is included on the disc. Augsburg Fortress will publish the sheet music for Heir of the Highest Heaven in 2016. first-church.org
SEPTEMBER 2014
Niedmann Joins CONCORA Board
In September, Peter Niedmann begins his term on the Board of Directors of CONCORA, the premier professional choir in Connecticut. He will also serve on its marketing committee. CONCORA was founded by Richard Coffey 40 years ago, and has grown into one of New England's finest professional choirs. Coffey retired from the Music Director post in 2014. After an extensive national search, CONCORA will announce in February, 2015 who will become its new Music Director. concora.org
Thorpe Music Releases Sing of a Girl
Thorpe Music Publishing Co. has released Peter Niedmann's Sing of a Girl. The choral work is a Christmas carol commissioned in June of 2013 by the choir of Harvard University (Edward Jones, music director) and premiered in December, 2013 at the annual carol services. The text is by Damian Lundy (1944-1997), and the work is scored for SATB voices & organ. An orchestral accompaniment (flute, clarinet, strings) is also available. Thorpe Music's sole selling agent is Theodore Presser Co. thorpemusic.com
DECEMBER 2013
Ohio Choir Premieres Carol
The choir of First Congregational Church, Columbus, Ohio (Kevin Jones, Music Director) premiered Peter Niedmann's carol, Heir of the Highest Heaven, at their Lessons and Carols service in December. They commissioned the work and suggested a text by the esteemed former First Church Pastor, Washington Gladden (1836-1918). The carol text is a portion of Gladden's poem, Immanuel. The carol (SATB & organ) will be published by Augsburg Fortress in 2015. heirofthehighestheaven
Harvard Commissions Niedmann
The choir of Harvard University (Edward Jones, music director) has commissioned Peter Niedmann to compose a new carol for its annual Christmas carol services. Past recipients of the commission include Daniel Pinkham, Carson Cooman, Alice Parker, and David Conte. uchoir.harvard.edu