Pamela A Decker

Interests

Research

Dr. Decker has an interest in research that explores the way the study of counterpoint leads to a composer's development as an individual creative artist with a distinctive style and musical personality. A specific topic of interest relates to the ways in which composition pedagogy could influence these processes. This avenue of inquiry could lead to a book that represents a new way of teaching counterpoint.

Teaching

Dr. Decker's teaching interests focus on the study of counterpoint (with respect to various historical periods) and composition. One point of emphasis concerns the way the techniques of music composition can serve as resources for effective interpretation and performance.

Courses

Scholarly Contributions

Books

• Decker, P. A. (2001). Quadrille with a Raven: Memoirs by Humphrey Searle. Classical Music on the Web.
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  Humphrey Searle

Journals/Publications

• Decker, P. A. (2009). "CAGO Examination Repertoire". "The American Organist", 22-24.
• Decker, P. A. (2001). New Music for Organ at the End of the Twentieth Century, A Series on the Compositions of Six American Composers: Pamela Decker. The American Organist, 0.
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  Author: Marilyn Perkins Biery, AAGO

Presentations

• Decker, P. A. (2019, Spring 2019). Composition and the Creative Process. Lecture/Demonstration for the American Guild of Organists (AGO), Southern Arizona Chapter. The Lutheran Church of the Risen Savior: The American Guild of Organists, Souther Arizona Chapter (SAAGO).
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  On March 2, 2019, I presented a lecture/demonstration on music composition and the creative processes that generate, inform, and inspire the construction of contemporary classical music in the context of a monthly event on the schedule of the Southern Arizona Chapter of the American Guild of Organists. I spoke about the ways in which a new composition can take shape, and the techniques and approaches a composer uses to develop the "seed" material. I used the pipe organ at the venue to demonstrate techniques that one uses in improvisation and composition. The event was well-attended and extremely positively received.
• Decker, P. A. (2012, Fall). Improvising and Composing for the Organ. Pamela Decker: Workshop on Improvisition and Composition, for the organ studio at The University of Washington, Seattle. Plymouth Congregational Church, Seattle, WA.
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  Individual Presenter
• Decker, P. A. (2012, Spring). Composing for the Organ. Fritts Birthday Celebration. Arizona State University, Organ Recital Hall.
• Decker, P. A. (2011, Spring). Improvising and Composing for the Organ. Eighth Annual Church Music Conference, The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa. Recital Hall, The University of Alabama School of Music.
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  Individual Presenter
• Decker, P. A. (2009, Spring). "For the Birds: Discussion with Composer Pamela Decker". 13th International Festival of Women Composers. MUB 144, School of Music, the University of Florida, Gainesville, FL.
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  Individual Presenter
• Decker, P. A. (2009, Spring). Pre-Concert Lecture by Composer Dr. Pamela Decker. 13th International Festival of Women Composers. Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, Gainesville, FL.
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  Individual Presenter
• Decker, P. A. (2009, Spring). Spanish Church Organ Repertories. Second International Symposium on Latin American Music. Holsclaw Hall, The University of Arizona School of Music.
• Decker, P. A. (2008, Fall). Master Class with Organist Pamela Decker. "Piping Hot" (American Public Media). University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, MN.
• Decker, P. A. (2008, Spring). Workshop on "Improvisation and Composition in Liturgical Settings". American Guild of Organists workshop, Colorado Springs, CO. St. Michael the Archangel Episcopal Church, Colorado Springs, CO.
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  Individual Presenter
• Decker, P. A. (2001, Spring, 2001). Interview. Interview conducted by a doctoral student for a course at the Cincinnati College/Conservatory of Music. Ohio/Arizona.
• Decker, P. A. (2000, 07/06/00). Commissioning Composers for New Works. The American Guild of Organists' Biennial National Convention 2000, Seattle, Washington.. Sheraton Seattle Hotel.
• Decker, P. A. (1999, April 12, 1999). Brief Lecture/Demonstration on the Holsclaw Hall Schoenstein Organ, for the Medici Circle. Presentation for the Medici Circle. Holsclaw Hall, School of Music and Dance, The University of Arizona.
• Decker, P. A. (1999, April 24, 1999). Presentation of the New Music Committee for the National Council of the American Guild of Organists (AGO) to the New Music Committee for the 2002 National Convention of the AGO, to be held in Philadelphia. As Director of the New Music Committee for the American Guild of Organists (national level), I make the formal presentation of composer nominations for featured commissions. Philadelphia.
• Decker, P. A. (1998, March 3, 1998). ConcerTalk. Lecture designed to give verbal. Room 162.
• Decker, P. A. (1997, Multiple dates; ongoing). Michael Colgrass Workshops; served as Assistant Trainer. Extra course for interested students and faculty. Crowder Hall and Holsclaw Hall.
• Decker, P. A. (1997, September 8, 1997). Developing and Maintaining a Healthy, Injury-Free Technique. lecture/demonstration. SOMAD Room 162; Nohema Fernandez' studio class.

Reviews

• Decker, P. A. (2002(p. 0). The Diapason.
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  The critic is Gregory Crowell.
• Decker, P. A. (2002. Reviews of New Organ Music(p. 0). The Diapason.
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  Author: Warren Apple
• Decker, P. A. (2001(p. 0). American Record Guide.
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  Barry Kilpatrick
• Decker, P. A. (2001(p. 0). Fanfare (recording review journal).
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  Author (reviewer): David Denton
• Decker, P. A. (2001(p. 0). The Living Church (Episcopal Church Journal).
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  Author (reviewer): Patricia Nakamura
• Decker, P. A. (2001. "Christa Rakich at St. Mark's Cathedral"(p. 0). Seattle Times.
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  Author (reviewer): Melinda Bargreen
• Decker, P. A. (2001. Germination and Blossoming(p. 0). Rheinische Post, Emmerich, Germany.
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  Reviewer not identified by name in the newspaper
• Decker, P. A. (2001. Organ Music Reviews(p. 0). The American Organist.
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  Author (reviewer): Frank Morana
• Decker, P. A. (2001. Recordings (Review)(p. 0). The American Organist.
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  Author (reviewer): Barbara Owen
• Decker, P. A. (2001. The Organist Danced Effortlessly on the Pedals(p. 0). Rheinische Post (Ausgabe Geldern: for Straelen).
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  Author (reviewer): Thorsten Camps
• Decker, P. A. (2000. Recording review in primary section by composer.(p. 0). American Record Guide.
• Decker, P. A. (2000. Recording review section by composer.(p. 0). Fanfare.
• Decker, P. A. (2000. Review of the American Guild of Organists National Biennial Convention, Seattle, 2000(p. 0). The Diapason.
  More info

  Herbert Huestis
• Decker, P. A. (2000. Review of the CD recording "Celestial Fire" on the Gothic label; this was a program of organ music performed by Douglas Cleveland.(p. 0). Fanfare (Recording Review Journal).
• Decker, P. A. (1999. AGO National Convention 1998, Denver, Colorado: Convention Review(p. 0). AGO (American Guild of Organists) National Convention 1998, Denver, Colorado: Convention Review, The American Organist, November 1998.
• Decker, P. A. (1998(p. 0). The Diapason (one of two prominent professional journals for the American Guild of Organists).

Creative Works

• Psalm 139; Organ solo; Wayne Leupold Editions; September 2017; Psalm 139; This work was commissioned by concert organist Edward Landin, who is on the music staff of Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania.  He wanted to have a work that would illuminate the text of Psalm 139, most specifically verses 7 and 8, and then verse 14.  The piece was premiered by Edward Landin on April 4, 2017, to extremely positive response.  The piece has been published and issued by Wayne Leupold Editions (September of 2017). 
• Fantasy on the Name of Roy Andrew Johnson; Classical organ solo work; Wayne Leupold Editions; September 2015; Published in 2015 by Wayne Leupold Editions; This work is a tribute to my predecessor, Professor Roy Andrew Johnson, who headed the UA organ program for 29 years.  The piece is based upon a musical "spelling" of his name, which is a custom that has been practiced through hundreds of years of music history, including usage by such composers as Robert Schumann and Maurice Durufle.  The published work became available in September, and already there have been performances of the piece across the country.
• Decker Plays Decker: Suite Dreams and Fantasies; Loft Recordings (LRCD 1130); September 2012; Decker Plays Decker: Suite Dreams and Fantasies; The third volume in the set of commercial compact disc recordings of my performances of my published music was put into international release in the fall of 2012.  The recording is entitled Decker Plays Decker:  Suite Dreams and Fantasies (LRCD 1130), with Loft Recordings, which is the leading company in the world for organ and choral recordings.  This recording joins Decker Plays Decker:  Sacred to Secular (LRCD 1053) and Decker Plays Decker:  Desert Wildflowers (LRCD 1076) as the third volume in the set.  The first two volumes received critical acclaim in such journals as The American Organist, The Diapason, Fanfare, American Record Guide, and Gramophone, along with a focus article in the British journal Choir & Organ.   
• Champions...Plus; Inspirational literature; October; "Champions...Plus" is a book published in 2007 by Aventine Press. It is a series of essays and contributions in tribute to concert organist Mark Thallander, who suffered the loss of his left arm at the shoulder in a vehicle accident on August 3, 2003. My "Liturgical Suite" for organ solo, published by Wayne Leupold Editions, is for right hand and pedal (in the manner of the piano literature for the left hand, e.g. Ravel's famous concerto); it was composed for Mark Thallander.Two brief chapters or sections in this book are related to this work that I composed for Mark: a section entitled "Liturgical Suite" reprints my preface in the piece's published edition, where I recounted my first opportunity to encounter Mark, and the following chapter, entitled "Review," quotes in full the review of this work that American Guild Of Organists (AGO) President Frederick Swann had written for the February 2006 edition of "The American Organist, in which he wrote "This most recent compositional homage is by the distinguished American organist/composer Pamela Decker, and is a welcome addition to the repertoire for all performers...so ingenious is the writing that a listener will think three hands are being used instead of one."
• Liturgical Suite; Wayne Leupold Editions; October; "Liturgical Suite" is for organ, right hand and pedal; it is composed for and dedicated to Mark Thallander, a well-known organist and church musician who lost his left arm at the shoulder in a vehicle accident. This work follows the example of Ravel's piano concerto for the the left hand, which was composed for a pianist who had lost his right arm. The publication will eventually be reviewed in professional journals.
• Vox Angelica; Organ solo; October; "Vox Angelica" is my composition based on "Bear Down, Arizona." This was requested for inclusion on the "Bear Down, Arizona" promotional CD produced by the School of Music at the University of Arizona this fall.
• Bear Down, Arizona; full orchestra; University of Arizona; October; "Vox Angelica," my organ compositioni based on "Bear Down, Arizona" was included (in my own performance at the Holsclaw Hall Schoenstein) in this promotional CD for The University of Arizona.
• Banana Trumpet Games; Compact disc recording of works by P.Q. Phan of Indiana University.; October; Composers' Recordings, Inc. (CRI) released (internationally) a disc of the music of P.Q. Phan, Professor of Composition at Indiana University, in the summer of 2000. The title of the recording, Banana Trumpet Games, is the title of the solo organ work which is track 1 on the disc. This performance was captured live in the Society of Composers' National Conference at the University of Iowa, Iowa City, in April of 1995. Dr. Phan decided to use the performance as the title track of his CD on CRI, which is otherwise comprised of chamber music for various types of ensembles.
• Fantasy on the Name of Marilyn Keiser; Organ solo; Wayne Leupold Editions; October; DOuglas Cleveland will give the world premiere performance of this work on January 18, 2003 at a gala celebration of Marilyn Keiser's twenty years as one of the organ professors at Indiana University. The performance will take place at Indiana University, in the auditorium, before a national-level audience.
• Elegy and Dances for Alto Saxophone and Organ; Alto saxophone and organ; October; Douglas Cleveland, Assistant Professor of Organ and Church Music at Northwestern University, commissioned me to compose this work for his tour with Frederick Hemke (saxophone professor at Northwestern) to Russia.
• Magnolia Leaf Rag (originally for piano by Herbert Bielawa) transcribed for organ by Pamela Decker; organ solo; October; During the fall semester I transcribed Herbert Bielawa's "Magnolia Leaf Rag" for organ and used it in two out-of-town performances. I am hoping that this work will be published. The piece was very well received by listeners.
• Rio abajo rio (1999) for Organ; Wayne Leupold Editions for E.C. Schirmer, Boston; October; During this semester I received confirmation that the work "Rio abajo rio" will be published by Wayne Leupold Editions for E.C. Schirmer (Boston) in time for display and sale at the 2000 National Convention of the American Guild of Organists, to be held in Seattle.
• "Golden Gates"; Organ solo; October; Golden Gates was written in fulfillment of a commission from the San Francisco Chapter of the American Guild of Organists for a work to be world premiered at the Region IX Convention of the American Guild of Organists, to be held in July of 2011 in San Francisco, CA. 
• Untitled (at present): a solo organ work for recital use for a renowned performer who lost his left arm in an accident.; organ solo; October; I am working on a four-movement work for organ solo, right hand and pedal only. The piece is intended to be a virtuoso work for Mark Thallander, a well-known concert organist who lost his left arm in August of 2003 in an accident involving an SUV. He is continuing to perform frequently and continues to be both a church musician and a concert organist.
• Lux perpetua; Organ solo; October; I received a commission from Beverly Everett, DMA candidate in organ performance at The University of Iowa, for a work for solo organ to be premiered at the Midwinter Organ Festival, to be held at Baylor University (Waco, Texas) February 6-8, 2000. Todd Wilson (Prof. of Organ, Cleveland Institute; first prize winner, Grand Prix de Chartres, etc.) will give the premiere performance in his solo recital as part of the festival. The piece was commissioned in honor of Joyce Jones, Professor of Organ at Baylor, on the occasion of her thirtieth anniversary of teaching at Baylor. The festival is assuming all expenses to allow me to attend the festival.
• Passsacaglia on BACH for Organ Solo; solo organ; October; I spent much of the fall semester of 2003 composing this large-scale recital work as a result of a commission from Faythe Freese, Professor of Organ at The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa. This university has a sizable organ hall that features a large, well-known Holtkamp organ that has been recorded for commercial compact discs by high-ranking performers in the field. I am to be brought in for the premiere of the work, which will be given by Faythe Freese, on March 20, 2004, at which time I will also be presented in performance and in a lecture. There is an organ conference at this university on the weekend of March 20.
• Personent hodie; Organ solo; October; In December of 2008 I completed a 5-minute work based on the melody titled Personent hodie, from Piae Cantiones (1582);  this work is destined for publication by Wayne Leupold Editions, as part of a set of works for Advent and Christmas, with the works being conceived for either concert or liturgical use.  The work was world premiered on December 24, 2008, at Grace St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Tucson, AZ. 
• Now & Then; Arktos Recordings; October; Marnie Giesbrecht, Professor of Organ at the University of Alberta (Canada), included my "Retablo III: Victimae paschali" on this recording, which was released internationally in the summer of 2002.
• Passacaglia on BACH; Wayne Leupold Editions; October; My "Passacaglia on BACH" for organ solo was published and released internationally in the fall of 2004. The work has been nominated for the Pulitzer Prize and has already been recorded on commercial compact discs twice. It was composed less than a year ago and premiered in March at the University of Alabama by Dr. Faythe Freese.
• Retablo III: Victimae paschali; organ solo; October; This composition is the third piece in a cycle based on Gregorian chant themes. The pieces are being prepared for publication by Wayne Leupold Editions (E.C. Schirmer), with which I have a lifetime agreement.
• Decker Plays Decker: Desert Wildflowers; Loft Recordings, LRCD 1076; October; This is Volume II in a complete works set involving my performances of my own compositions for organ or harpsichord. Volume I has been reviewed very favorably in "Gramophone" and "Fanfare," with "Fanfare" having published an extended feature article on my work, ending with an extremely positive review of Volume I and Volume II. Other reviews will follow. Loft Recordings (along with its subsidiaries, such as Gothic, ReZound, etc.) is currently considered arguably the highest-ranking recording company for organ and choral compact discs in the world today; among their artists are the Dale Warland Singers, as well as many other well-known performers. Volume I was submitted by Loft Recordings as a nomination for this year's Grammy nominations, making it a sort of "finalist" for a nomination.
• Conditor alme siderum; Solo piano; October; This is a work in the 12-piece cycle of solo piano works based upon Gregorian chant melodies.
• Fantasy on the Name of Roy Johnson; Organ solo; October; This is to be a recital work for organ solo in honor of my predecessor, Roy Johnson. The date of completion will be in the spring of 2006.
• Retablos: I Pange lingua, II Ubi caritas, III Victimae paschali; Wayne Leupold Editions; October; This publication presents my three large-scale recital works (for solo organ) based upon Gregorian chant. The publisher has international distribution and is recognized as a leading publisher of classical organ music.
• Ave maris stella; Wayne Leupold Editions; October; This recital work for organ was premiered at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris in 2004 by Douglas Cleveland, a highly esteemed concert organist who had captured first prize in the National Young Artists' Competition in Organ Playing sponsored by the American Guild of Organists (AGO). He has since performed the work many times in his recitals on tour.
• Kairos; Wayne Leupold Editions; October; This work for organ solo was published in 1998, and featured in performance (by Douglas Cleveland, 1994 winner of the National Young Artists' Competition in Organ Playing) at the 1998 National Convention of the American Guild of Organists, held in Denver, Colorado. The review, published in the September issue of The American Organist, was extremely favorable.
• "Advent to Christmas"; Organ solo; October; This work is to be a suite of pieces composed for either concert or liturgical use; the themes are recognized hymns or carols that have been in general use in Western music for many periods in music history. All themes relate to the liturgical seasons of Advent or Christmas.
• "El Tigre" for organ solo; organ solo; October; This work was commissioned by Catherine Willis in honor of Douglas Cleveland's fortieth birthday. Cleveland, 1994 winner of the National Young Artists' Competition in Organ Performance (NYACOP) sponsored by the American Guild of Organists (AGO) and one of the more prominent organists in the world, tours under management and performs in prestigious venues in Europe, Asia, and the United States. He is to premiere the work at Oxford in the UK in the summer of 2008.
• Chaconne on "Ave caeli janua"; Flute and organ; October; This work was commissioned by Due Solisti (Kathleen Scheide, organist, and Zofie Vokalkova, flutist) for their concert tours and an upcoming recording.  See performance section for details of the world premiere on September 30 at Jacob's Ladder Church in Prague, Czech Republic.
• O Sacred Head, Now Wounded; organ solo; October; This work was commissioned by John Ferguson for an anthology entitled, "A New Liturgical Year," which brings together liturgically-based works by twentieth-century composers. The anthology is published by Augsburg Fortress, and was released just before Christmas of 1997.
• "Veni, Emmanuel"; organ solo; October; This work will be part of a five-piece suite for Advent and Christmas. The piece based on "Antioch" is also completed (in the fall of 2005). "Veni, Emmanuel" is a hymn for the liturgical season of Advent.
• Commission for a work for Soprano and Organ, through the Department of Astrobiology (Professor Richard Poss); Soprano and Organ, several movements; October; This work will spotlight poetry by Diane Ackerman; her work includes evocations of images that relate both to astrobiology and music (including even a poem that mentions organ pipes). This commission is in the amount of $3,000.
• "Bunessan"; organ solo; October; This work, based on the hymn tune "Bunessan," will be part of a collection of works based on hymn tunes popular in American denominations.
• As above; C.F. Peters; October; "Elegy and Dances" for Alto Saxophone and Orchestra, and "Elegy and Dances" for Alto Saxophone and Organ; C.F. Peters has accepted my "Elegy and Dances" (in both alto saxophone/orchestra and alto saxophone/organ versions) for upcoming publication.  Peters is possibly or arguably the top-ranking publisher of classical music literature in the world, with branches in New York, London, Frankfurt, and Leipzig.  I have already been on the Peters roster of composers, with "Toccata" for organ.  In addition, I am represented by four other publishers of high-level quality and renown.
• Not applicable; Augsburg Fortress; October; Chorale Prelude on "O Sacred Head, Now Wounded"; The chorale prelude was composed on commission from the editor of the anthology--John Ferguson of St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota--for inclusion in the publication entitled, "A New Liturgical Year." This collection offers chorale-based and chant-based composition by twentieth-century composers.
• Flores del Desierto; organ solo work; Andrew Peters; October; Spirited Sounds in a Small, Sacred Space; This composition is a set of three concert tangos for organ, commissioned by concert organist Janice Beck. The work will be recorded for an Albany Records CD in October of 1999, and published by Wayne Leupold Editions at approximately the same time. The individual tangos are entitled Albarda, Espuelita, and Saiya. The entire work was intended to be a sort of homage to Astor Piazzolla, but the harmonic language, use of the tango forms, and the overall synthesis of styles put the piece into my own style.
• La Pantera; Raven Recordings; October 2012; "Americana"; Concert organist Jeremy Filsell recorded a two-disc set of organ literature by American composers who have demonstrated some association with the Washington National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., where he has been artist-in-residence since 2010;  my La Pantera was included in this set.  Raven is a label that is critically-acclaimed and highly regarded in the field.  The set was put into international release in the fall of 2012.  Jeremy Filsell is renowned for his complete-works recordings of the prominent composer/organist Marcel Dupre;  Filsell also writes a regular column for the British journal Choir & Organ.    
• WIndows of the Spirit; Commercial CD recording on the Organum Classics label; Organum Classics; November 2019; Organum Classics, Catalog Number: OGM 191036; Internationally renowned and acclaimed concert organist Jens Korndoerfer (Director of Music/Organist at First Presbyterian Church of Atlanta) both performed my commissioned work for the dedication of the church's Kais/Schlueter Organ (IV/112), Windows of the Spirit, and titled the commercial recording after the piece. This is a major publication of international scope. It is my honor that the other composers on the CD include Bach, Beethoven, Rheinberger, Reger, Wagner, and Foote.
• Toccata: The Resurrection; Organ solo; Wayne Leupold Editions; May 2018; "The Seven Last Words and Triumph of Christ," piece IX; This piece concludes the largest-scale work of my career as a composer, which was commissioned by the American Guild of Organists (AGO) national council in connection with my having been named National Distinguished Composer for 2018.  The nine-work cycle is 40 minutes in duration and is to be published by Wayne Leupold Editions in the spring of 2018.  The world premiere performance is scheduled for July 3, 2018, at Village Presbyterian Church in Prairie Village, Kansas, as part of the 2018 National Convention of the AGO, to be based in Kansas City.  This the primary, prestigious biennial national conference of the AGO, which is hosted in different cities.  The event takes place over five days, typically, with concerts, recitals, workshops, dinners, and special events presented by artists from around the world, who are chosen as much as three to four years in advance for the planning of the convention agenda.  The artist for my premiere is Douglas Cleveland, the 1994 first prize winner of the National Young Artists' Competition in Organ Performance (NYACOP) and Director of Music and Liturgical Arts at St. Thomas Episcopal Church in Medina, WA.  He is represented by karen McFarlane Artists, Inc., and has a long-term international reputation as one of the premier performers of our time.  The work will be premiered with choreographed dance, although it is not dependent upon the dance element.  This final segment is celebratory and evocative of the victory of the recurrection.  The opening offers a splash of rhythmic fanfares, with shifting time signatures and accents.  A distinctive toccata figuration that alternates quartal punctuations in a signature rhythmic pattern enters after the fanfares have foreshadowed the salient thematic ideas in the piece.  The pedal part established the primary theme, which is my own melodic setting of the legendary text for the more traditional Gregorian chant on Victimae paschali laudes.  The text is used as an inspiration for my own musical material, but my materials are completely original and quite different from the familiar chant melody.  A secondary theme prevails in a middle section that is harmonically adventurous and conducive to the gathering of further momentum for the transposed appearance of the primary thematic material.  Once this elevated recapitulation appears, it leads to an elaboration of a motivic segment that evokes the initial incarnation of Christ, come to Earth at the nativity.  This segment creates a bridge to the final, monumental chorale presentation of the original Victimae paschali theme.  A progression that adds in double pedaling leads the work to a stately and triumphant conclusion (full organ at fff volume) that depicts the ascension of Christ to a higher realm.
• Passacaglia: Procession to the Tomb; Organ solo; Wayne Leupold Editions; May 2018; "The Seven Last Words and Triumph of Christ," piece VIII; This eighth segment of the nine-work cycle is a passaglia, which is a set of evolving variations over a ground (repeating) bass line.  The piece is made of thematic transformations, with motivic "cells" that are developed with motivic expansions and contractions that create an impression of escalating intensity and ever-building tension, made all the more restless by the presence of chromatic lines that move from gentle undulation to swirling flourishes in smaller note values.  The work builds to a fortissimo conclusion expressed in large-scale, majestic chords. 
• "Father, into Your hands I commend my Spirit."; Organ solo; Wayne Leupold Editions; May 2018; This is to be the seventh work in "The Seven Last Words and Triumph of Christ"; The seventhand final "word" is presented as the simplest, purest evocation of beauty that I could design.  There is complexity in the harmonic progressions, but the piece is supposed to seem utterly simple, as a statement of the reunion of the human spirit with the Holy Spirit.  The aim here is uncomplicated joy.  One is supposed to be able to "rest" in this piece, almost like being cradled in a hammock.  There are two works that follow this culmination of the seven "word" statements:  the eighth movement that is a passacaglia evoking the procession to the tomb, and the ninth, which is a celebration of the resurrection.  These movements also have been completed within the spring semester of 2017. 
• "It is finished."; Organ solo; Wayne Leupold Editions; May 2018; This is to be the sixth piece in "The Seven Last Words and Triumph of Christ"; The "point" of VI is the sheer power and resolute victory of "triumph" as the overriding Affekt of the sixth "word."  The work combines several dance rhythms and a string of evolving and transforming variations on the primary theme.  The text might be "It is finished," but of course the resurrection means tha the story is not at all finished, and we know that the ultimate "finish" is in triumph, both for the trinity and for humanity. 
• "I Thirst" (from "The Seven Last Words and Triumph of Christ"; Organ solo; Wayne Leupold Editions; May 2018; This work is the fifth piece in a nine-piece cycle that will be published by Wayne Leupold Editions in 2018 under the title "The Seven Last Words and Triumph of Christ"; This piece is the fifth in a nine-piece cycle representing a programmatic evocation of the seven last words of Christ, as they appear in the King James Version and/or the New Revised Standard Version of the Holy Bilbe.  The fifth declaration is expressed simply in two words: "I Thirst."  The music depicts the flow of water, which is represented as sweet, uncomplicated, and continuously in motion.  The solo lines express the bitter aspect of thirst, wherein water is so greatly desired, but inaccessible.  The language of the solo lines is more acerbic and "bitter," while the line evoking the flow of water remains sweet and desirable. 
• La Danza; Organ solo; Wayne Leupold Editions (WLE); May 2018; Wayne Leupold Editions, WL710022; La Danza was commissioned for the Taylor National Competition in Organ Performance, held every four years in Atlanta, GA.  This is a high-profile competition for which the first prize is $10,000.  The premiere performance of the work took place on Saturday, April 21, 2018, at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Atlanta.  Five finalists from across the country competed in the final round, which was open to the public.  A panel of three judges--renowned concert organists of international reputation--chose winner Chase Loomer, an undergraduate organ major at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY.  Each contestant had to play a sizable program of works by Bach and other composers of standard organ literature;  the commissioned work was required as a program element that all competitors had to perform along with the other individually-chosen works.  The competition administration demonstrates advocacy for new music by living composers in its commitment to the inclusion of a commissioned work in the final-round performances by the contestants.  The administration brought me to Atlanta for the finals, and I was present for the premiere performances in the final round and for a ceremonial dinner after the announcement of the results. 
• Faneuil Hall; Solo organ; Wayne Leupold Editions; May 2014; Faneuil Hall; Faneuil Hall was published in 2014 by Wayne Leupold Editions and exhibited at the 2014 National Convention of the American Guild of Organists (AGO), held in Boston.  The work was commissioned by the Boston 2014 New Music Committee for world premiere at this convention;  the world premiere performances were given on June 27 by New York concert organist Renee Anne Louprette.  In addition, the piece was required for the final round of the National Young Artists' Competition in Organ Performance (NYACOP) of the AGO, held at Harvard Memorial Church on the renowned Fisk organ in the church's loft.  The required program included also works by Nikolaus Bruhns, Johann Sebastian Bach, Charles-Marie Widor.  My work was listed as the final piece in this program.  This was the first time that a commissioned work by a living composer has been required on the program for the NYACOP finals.
• Jesu, dulcis memoria; Solo piano; Loft Recordings (LRCD 1118); May 2012; Douglas Cleveland Plays Rockefeller Chapel; This is a composition in the 12-piece cycle of works for solo piano based upon Gregorian chant melodies.
• "Portales" for Harpsichord Duo; Harpsichord duo; March; "Portales" was commissioned by Lex deux clavecins (Allen Shaffer and Thomas Marshall) a prominent harpshichord duo based in Virginia. Thomas Marshall is Professor of Organ and Harpsichord a The College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, Virginia. Allen Shaffer is Director of Music and Organist at Christ and St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Norfolk, Virginina, as well as Co-Director of the Norfolk Chamber Consort. I completed this work in March of 2000.
• CD recording; Organ solo recital; March; Albany Records is sponsoring a compact disc recording of music by Pamela Decker, to be recorded at Hill Auditorium at The University of Michigan in October of 1999. The artist is Janice Beck, who is represented by Philip Truckenbrod Artists. She will record Flores del Desierto, Kairos, Nightsong and Ostinato Dances, and Retablos. The recording will be released in 2000.
• Retablos (1995-1997) for Organ (Pange lingua, Ubi caritas, Victimae paschali); Wayne Leupold Editions for E.C. Schirmer; March; As of 05/24/99 I received official word that contracts were being mailed for the three works in the Retablos cycle. Thus, May 24, 1999 marks the date of acceptance for publication. The cycle consists of three concert works for organ based upon Gregorian chant. Ubi caritas was commissioned by the Toledo, Ohio, Chapter of the American Guild of Organists in honor of the AGO Centennial. Victimae paschali was commissioned by the Ann Arbor, Michigan, Chapter of the AGO in honor of Professor Marilyn Mason's fifty years of teaching at The University of Michigan.
• Celestial Fire: Douglas Cleveland, Organist--Gothic g 49113, a compact disc recording of organ music; Solo organ compact disc; March; Douglas Cleveland, organist, is featured on a varied program of organ music by several composers, including Maurice Durufle, Libby Larsen, Dan Locklair, Jean Langlais, and Pamela Decker. My work entitled "Kairos" is included in this program. Douglas Cleveland is Assistant Professor of Organ and Church Music at Northwestern University; he won first prize in the 1994 National Young Artists' Competition in Organ Playing sponsored by the American Guild of Organists. The CD was made at Saint Meinrad Archabbey in Indiana. The CD was released internationally in February 2000.
• Flores del Desierto (1998): Three Tangos for Organ in Honor of Astor Piazzolla, commissioned by Janice Beck, Organist; Wayne Leupold Editions for E.C. Schirmer; March; Flores del Desierto was commissioned by Janice Beck in the Spring of 1998 as a result of her interest in the works of Astor Piazzolla. There is no solo organ music in the literature produced by Piazzolla; Ms. Beck wished to have a recital piece composed with the Piazzolla tango style as an influence. On May 24, 1999, I received official notification that a contract for the set "Flores del Desierto" will be mailed for signature as soon as possible.
• Flights of Fancy: A Ballet for Organ, by William Albright, Edited by Pamela Decker; C.F. Peters; March; For about two years I worked as editor of this substantial contemporary work for organ. I was the first performer to record the entire work commercially (Albany/Troy 140: Flights of Fancy), and I had the original score that had been prepared and corrected by William Albright, to whom I was married from 1994 until the year of his passing in 1998. C.F. Peters asked me to be the editor and author of the preface for this publication, and many months were required for meticulous preparation of the score.
• Flights of Fancy: Ballet for Organ, by William Albright; Organ solo; March; I have collaborated with the editorial staff at C.F. Peters Corporation in New York in providing editorial work for this publication, to be issued in the Spring of 2001. I have been notified that I will be listed as editor, and my preface is to be published as an introduction to the work.
• Rio abajo rio; Organ solo; March; I have received a commission from the American Guild of Organists' 2000 National Convention New Music Committee (Seattle, 2000) for a work to be premiered at this convention. The piece will be in three movements. The title of the cycle is Rio abajo rio, with individual movements having separate titles (to be decided). The work will be premiered by organist Christa Rakich at St. Mark's Cathedral (Episcopal) in Seattle, during the convention. The audience for this event is international in nature. At present (05/29/99) the work is about 2/3 complete, with completion scheduled for this summer.
• Work for solo harp; as yet untitled; Harp; March; I received a commission from doctoral harp performance candidate Kimberly Houser for a work for solo harp, to be premiered by her as part of a doctoral recital and performed in other venues as part of her concert repertoire. The piece will be about 8-10 minutes in duration. Work is about 2/3 completed at this time (05/29/99).
• Eight themes for the National Competition in Organ Improvisation, for the American Guild of Organists (to be held at the 2000 National Convention of the AGO in Seattle); Organ; March; I received a commission to compose the eight free themes to be used in the preliminary, semifinal, and final rounds of the National Competition in Organ Improvisation (American Guild of Organists). The preliminary round is by tape; semifinal and final rounds take place at the national convention, with the semifinals being a pre-convention event and the finals presented as a featured convention event. Dan Locklair was the recipient of this commisssion for the 1998 convention. I both received and completed the commission in the Spring 1999 semester.
• Tango Toccata; Organ solo; March; I received and signed a contract for official ownership of this organ solo work from Wayne Leupold Editions (North Carolina); WLE then assigned permission for publication to World Library Publications (a division of J.S. Paluch) in Illinois. The work will appear as part of a published anthology of commissions to be premiered at the 2001 Region IX Convention of the American Guild of Organists. Publication is scheduled for June of 2001.
• "The Freese Collection"; Organ solo with dance; March; In January I received a commission for a work for organ solo and full dance choreography, to be world premiered at a high-level (national and potentially international) event:  The 25th Anniversary of the University of Alabama Holtkamp Organ, to take place in conjunction with the 2013 University of Alabama Church Music Conference, a national conference that often attracts interntational-level participation as well.  The piece, entitled The Freese Collection, has three movements:  I Augenmusik, II Lirio e amapola, and III La croix de foi.  The composition was completed and delivered by March 30, and is now prepared for publication with Wayne Leupold Editions.  The world premiere performances, with Dr. Faythe Freese (DMA Indiana University) as organist along with the dance department of the University of Alabama) will take place in evening concerts on January 23, 24, and 25 of 2013. 
• Desert Wildflowers: Three Tangos for Organ; Organ solo plus optional percussion; March; In March of 1998 I was contacted about a commission for a set of three tangos (for organ) in the style of Astor Piazzolla.
• "Psalm 102" for Soprano and Piano; art song for voice and accompaniment; March; In the spring of 2007 I composed this work for soprano and piano; it was world premiered by Boston soprano Margaret Felice and pianist Jennifer Tung at the festival (national/international in nature) entitled "Songfest," held at Pepperdine University June 9 through July 15, 2007.
• "Jesu, dulcis memoria"; Organ solo; March; In the spring of 2010 I completed my recent organ solo entitled Jesu, dulcis memoria, which is dedicated to the renowned concert organist Douglas Cleveland.  The work is in preparation for June 2011 publication by Wayne Leupold Editions.  It has already been performed in the USA and Canada, and has been planned for commercial CD recording in 2011 (by Douglas Cleveland).
• Janice Beck Performs Works of Pamela Decker, Albany/Troy 383--a compact disc recording of selected organ works; solo organ compact disc recording; March; Janice Beck is presented on CD with a selection of my works for organ. The CD went into international distribution in late March, 2000, with copies to 100 publications for review. The CD was made in Hill Audiorium, Ann Arbor, Michigan, at the Frieze Memorial Organ. Janice Beck is represented by Truckenbrod Concert Artists. She performs frequently throughout the United States and in Europe, and is a critically acclaimed recording artist.
• Kairos, for Organ; Wayne Leupold Editions, through E.C. Schirmer; March; Kairos, a large-scale recital work for organ, is being issued in June of 1998 in time for the National Convention of the American Guild of Organists in Denver, Colorado, this summer. The piece will be performed by Douglas Cleveland on the final day of the Convention.
• Lux perpetua (1999) for Organ; Organ solo; March; Lux perpetua was completed and edited in anticipation of the world premiere on 6 February 2000.
• New Music for Organ at the end of the Twentieth Century: Works by Libby Larsen, Emily Maxson Porter and Pamela Decker, a project submitted to the faculty of the Graduate School of The University of Minnesota by Marilyn Perkins Biery in partial fulfillmen; March; Marilyn Perkins Biery has completed a DMA final project dealing with the music of three composers: Libby Larsen, Emily Maxson Porter, and Pamela Decker. The paper presents excerpts from my works and detailed analyses. Ms. Biery performed my Retablo II: Ubi caritas as part of her lecture/recital for the DMA.
• "Lent" (An Anthology of Organ Music for Lent); Augsburg Fortress; March; My work "O Sacred Head Now Wounded" for organ was included in this anthology.
• "Rio abajo rio" for Organ Solo, WL610004, Wayne Leupold Editions, E.C. Schirmer/Boston; Wayne Leupold Editions through E.C. Schirmer, Boston; March; My work entitled "Rio abajo rio" for Organ Solo has been published in anticipation of international release and featured presentation at the 2000 National Convention of the American Guild of Organists in Seattle (July 2-6, 2000).
• Portales; C.F. Peters Corporation, New York; March; My work for harpsichord duo, "Portales," was published in the spring of 2003 by C.F. Peters, a leading publisher of classical music literature in both the United States and Europe. There is no publisher more prestigious or well-established in this field.
• Fantasy on "Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott"; Organ solo; March; On February 28, 2001, I received written confirmation of a formal commission to composer a work in honor of the sesquicentennial of Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa. The project, partially administered by Wartburg organ professor Karen Black, was funded with a large donation from a family. The work is to be premiered by Karen Black in May of 2002 as part of celebration festivities.
• Organ Work (in progress) based upon "Ein feste Burg"; Organ solo; March; On February 28, 2001, I was given official notification that I have been commissioned to produce a recital-length solo organ work to commemorate the sesquicentennial of Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa. The piece will be premiered in 2001 by Karen Larson Black, Professor of Organ at Wartburg College. The commission amount is $3,000.
• "Gatherings," for seven trumpets; Trumpet ensemble; March; Professor Edward Reid commissioned me in the spring semester to compose a work for his trumpet ensemble;  the work was eventually premiered on June 4, 2008, by The University of Arizona Trumpet Ensemble (Edward Reid, conductor) on a program at the International Trumpet Guild Conference in Banff Centre, Alberta, Canada.  The venue was Rolston Recital Hall.  Prof. Reid reported that the performance was a success. 
• Fantasy on the Name of Marilyn Keiser (for Organ); Wayne Leupold Editions; March; This organ solo work was published and released internationally by Wayne Leupold Editions in the spring of 2004.
• Christa Rakich at St. Mark's Cathedral; Organ solo commercial compact disc recording; March; This recording was released by ReZound (Loft Recordings) in 2001 to much critical acclaim. The program includes the world premiere (in live performance at the 2000 National Convention of the American Guild of Organists Seattle) of my organ work "Rio abajo rio." The piece was commissioned by the AGO to be premiered at the convention.
• Home Suite Home: Across America with the Pipe Organe Pipe Organ; Wayne Leupold Editions; March; This spring I was commissioned by my publisher to compose a large-scale work for organ and dramatic narration. The piece had to demonstrate a large organ and be programmatic at the same time. "Home Suite Home" is a five-movement organ symphony which is a large-scale recital work on its own, but it also has a dramatic narrative which is to be performed in alternation with the movements. I completed work on it in the spring of 2002, and it was published in June of 2002. I signed the contract in the last week of this semester.
• Taste and See, for SATB choir and organ; SATB choir and organ; March; This work for SATB choir and organ was commissioned by St. Peter's by-the-Sea Episcopal Church in Bay Shore, New York, as part of their commissioning series;  each year a different prominent composer is selected for this commission.  The work was world premiered at this church in a performance on April 3, 2011, and has been performed subsequently by other groups in other venues.  The work is now being considered for publication. 
• "Come, See the Place Where the Lord Lay"; Choral anthem; March; This work is being considered for publication by a major publisher.
• "Tango Toccata on a Theme by Melchior Vulpius (1609)" for Organ Solo by Pamela Decker, inlcuded in "Bridging the Centuries: the San Diego Anthology"; World Library Publications; March; This work is owned under contract by Wayne Leupold Editions and printed in the anthology by permission. The anthology is a collection of commissioned works for the Region IX Convention of the American Guild of Organists in 2001; however, it is intended for general distribution and use.
• Fantasy on "Ein feste Burg" for Organ; Organ Solo; March; This work was commissioned in 2001 by Karen Larson Black to commemorate the sesquicentennial of Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa. I completed the piece in the spring of 2002, and it is to be premiered by Dr. Black (organ professor at Wartburg) in the Wartburg Chapel on May 25, 2002.
• Ave maris stella (for Organ); organ solo; March; This work was composed in the spring of 2004 for Douglas Cleveland, for his recital at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris (August 2004).
• "Elegy and Dances for Alto Saxophone and Orchestra, and "Elegy and Dances" for Alto Saxophone and Organ; C.F. Peters; March; "Elegy and Dances" for Alto Saxophone and Orchestra, and "Elegy and Dances" for Alto Saxophone and Organ; This work--in both versions--is in preparation for publication by the prestigious C.F. Peters, arguably among the top two to three classical music publishers in the world today. 
• "La Pantera"; Solo Organ; Wayne Leupold Editions; March; "La Pantera"; "La Pantera" was composed as a companion work to "El Tigre," which was published in 2008 by Wayne Leupold Editions and which was world-premiered at the Region IX Midwinter Conclave of the American Guild of Organists (AGO) in January of 2008.  "La Pantera" was officially premiered as part of my solo recital at St. James Episcopal Church in Baton Rouge, LA (in connection with the School of Music at Louisiana State University) on March 22, 2009.
• Haven: Songs of Mystery and of Memory; Commercial compact disc recording; Albany Records; March 2016; Albany Records, Albany/Troy 1621; My recent song cycle for mezzo soprano and piano--Haven:  Songs of Mystery and of Memory--was put into international release on Albany Records in March of 2016.  In the July/August 2016 issue of Fanfare, there was a feature article offering an in-depth interview with me and with Katherine, followed by two extremely positive reviews (see reviews section of this document).  The article resulted in interest on the part of the famed mezzo soprano Phyllis Bryn-Julson of Peabody Conservatory, who has ordered a score for the Peabody library and who has indicated that she is "over the moon" about the music, writing to me, "What a great talent you have!"  She is planning to use it in her teaching next season.   
• CD Recording (in process); Gothic Records; June; Douglas Cleveland informed me by telephone that he recorded my Kairos for Organ (published in 1998 by Wayne Leupold Editions for E.C. Schirmer) at St. Meinrad Abbey, St. Meinrad, Indiana, on a CD program to be released on the Gothic label in July of 1999.
• Elegy and Dances for Alto Saxophone and Orchestra; alto saxophone as soloist with orchestra; June; I spent the entire summer of 2003 writing and preparing this work for its premiered by the Arizona Symphony Orchestra on September 20/21, 2003. The premiere was very successful, with an excellent review in the Tucson Citizen, dated September 22, 2003.
• To be titled: "Portales" for Harpsichord Duo by Pamela Decker; C.F. Peters Corporation; June; In June of 2001 I received a letter dated June 13, 2001 informing me that my work "Portales" for Harpsichord Duo had been accepted for publication by C.F. Peters Corporation. The letter was from John Tyler Evans, Head of Publishing for C.F. Peters. Manuscript engraving has taken place, and the work should be issued in 2002.
• Concerto for Organ and Orchestra; Pipe organ and symphony orchestra; June; In actuality I have completed a three-movement concerto for organ and orchestra, and two additional works for this combination that will serve as two of three movements of a second concerto. Several prominent organists have indicated strong interest in premiering the first of the concerti, and I have been invited to submit the work for consideration by at least two major American orchestras.
• Decker Plays Decker: From Sacred to Secular; CD recording of solo organ music; Loft Recordings/Gothic Records; June; Loft Recordings of Seattle has accepted the project of recording and issuing a multi-CD set of my performances of my own organ music, most of which has been published and distributed internationally. In July of 2003 I recorded the first compact disc of the set at St. Mark's Episcopal Cathedral in Seattle, WA. The disc is now being prepared for release in the spring of 2004.
• Sevenfold Gifts; classical CD on the Albany/Troy label; June; Organist Margaret Martin Kvamme included my "Flutes for San Francisco" work (from the cycle "Home Suite Home") on this commercial CD on the Albany/Troy label. This is a major label with extensive distribution. The disc also includes works by Bach, Mendelssohn, Price, Diemer, Sandresky, and Morrison.
• "March" for organ; organ solo; June; This solo work is designed to be used as a ceremonial march for either liturgical or secular use; it would work equally well in church liturgy or in a concert program.
• "life aromatic with red-hot pizazz" for mezzo soprano and organ; mezzo soprano and organ; June; This work was commissioned by the Astrobiology and the Arts program at the University of Arizona (Professor Richard Poss, liaison).
• "Tango Toccata on a Theme by Melchior Vulpius"; Wayne Leupold Editions; June; "Tango Toccata on a Theme by Melchior Vulpius"; This work has been performed in many countries by a good number of major artists.  It is also published, by permission of Wayne Leupold Editions, in "Bridging the Centuries," an anthology issued by World Library Publications.  As with the other cited works, it should be reviewed in at least two professional journals in due course of time.
• The Seven Last Words and Triumph of Christ; This work is a 40-minute cycle of nine pieces for organ solo; Wayne Leupold Editions (WLE); June 2018; The Seven Last Words and Triumph of Christ, published by Wayne Leupold Editions in June of 2018; WL610018 and WL610019; This large-scale work was commissioned by the American Guild of Organists (AGO) and world-premiered at the 2018 National Convention of the American Guild of Organists, held in Kansas City, MO.  The convention is a biennial event attracting colleagues in large numbers (typically 1500 to 2000), with colleagues also attending from other countries and parts of the world, including Europe, the Baltic Region, Asia, etc. The commission was awarded in connection with my having been named "AGO Distinguished Composer" for 2018.  Although the work is for solo organ, on this occasion it was premiered with choreographed dance.  The premiere was presented in two identical performances, given the need to accommodate the attendees at the convention.  On both occasions, there was an instant, extended, and enthusiastic standing ovation.  The ovation went on for close to ten minutes after each performance.  
• "When Jesus therefore saw his mother and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, 'Woman, behold thy son!' Then said he to the disciple, 'Behold thy mother!'" KJV, John 19:26-27; Classical solo organ work; Wayne Leupold Editions; June 2018; To be published by Wayne Leupold Editions; In the late summer and early fall I worked on and completed this third segment of the cycle on the Seven Last Words of Christ.  This work is very quiet--and adagio--on string stops, with contrasting flutes and a pedal melody based upon the chant "Ave Maria antienne."
• "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" NRSV, Matthew 27:46; Classical solo organ work; Wayne Leupold Editions; June 2018; To be published by Wayne Leupold Editions; This fourth segment of The Seven Last Words of Christ is based upon the hymn tune "Bangor," which is used in Lent and is strongly identified with crucifixion imagery and texts.  The opening is "dark" in harmonic language, with the impression but not the actual presence of a passacaglia.  The pedal line introduces the melodic material of the hymn in a way that will ease in without making itself apparent at first.  This segment is a compact theme and variations design;  the second variation is a highly ornamented melody taken by the right hand, obscuring the "Bangor" tune with melismatic passagework.  A shimmering transition leads into the sudden arrival of a brutally powerful evocation of the tune, stated in the pedal, with a whirlwind of hand-exchanging figurations in the manual parts.  The evocation is of quiet surprise, followed by intense suffering, and then by searing anguish.  The ideas and musical materials are sketched to various degrees for the remaining sections of the work, which is due for delivery by June of 2017. 
• "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." KJV, Luke 23:34; Classical solo organ work; Wayne Leupold Editions; June 2018; To be published by Wayne Leupold Editions; This is the first piece in a cycle of 9-10 works that will comprise a forty-minute set evoking The Seven Last Words of Christ.  This large-scale composition is a commission from the American Guild of Organists National Council in conjunction with my being named National Distinguished Composer for 2018.  The cycle is to be premiered at a major evening event at the 2018 National Convention of the American Guild of Organists (AGO), slated for Kansas City.  The premiering artist will be Douglas Cleveland, internationally celebrated concert organist and faculty member at the University of Washington, Seattle.  This is the most substantial commission "honor" that can be conferred upon a composer of organ literature.  Recipients are not necessarily organists (the objective is to award to a composer of high stature);  the award is biennial, and past recipients include Samuel Adler, Virgil Thomson, Daniel Pinkham, Conrad Susa, Dominick Argento, Ned Rorem, William Bolcom (Pulitzer Prize winner), William Albright, Stephen Paulus, Craig Phillips, Dan Locklair, and Libby Larsen.  In the spring of 2016, I completed this first segment of the cycle, based on the first "word" of the seven last words.  The piece is based on evocations of the concept behind the verb "to forgive," as in "to release resentment" or "to grant relief."  There is a sense of deep melancholy, but with a sweetness that conveys the presence of hope.  At the convention premiere, the cycle will be performed with choreographed dance (a troupe of professional dancers).  Many dance rhythms from various parts of the world are incorporated into the substance of the music. 
• "Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise" NRSV, Luke 23:43; Classical solo organ work; Wayne Leupold Editions; June 2018; To be published by Wayne Leupold Editions; This is the second installment of the AGO Distinguished Composer commission.  Within the musical materials for this piece, there is a very remote, delicate reference to a motive in the bass aria from J. S. Bach's Cantata 106 (Gottes Zeit ist die allerbeste Zeit), in which the text also deals with this segment of the seven last words.  There is just a hint of reference that is an homage to the Bach work, incorporated into my non-tonal language based on modes of my own design.  The work has a mysterious beginning, followed by a vigorous fugue that is based upon the "Christus vincit" Gregorian chant.  A lyrical section takes over after the fugue builds to peak intensity, and it is this section that evokes a fleeting memory of the Bach material;  the fugal material returns and builds to an enormous, fortissimo conclusion in evocation of Christ's victory.
• Fantasy on "Rouen" for Organ Duo; Classical keyboard music; Wayne Leupold Editions; June 2017; To be published by Wayne Leupold Editions; Fantasy on "Rouen" is an organ duo work based on a time-honored hymn tune with the name "Rouen."  Hymn tunes have names, much as with chant tunes, although the concept differs a bit.  A hymn tune can be named for the city in which it was composed, its composer, or any one of many factors.  Chant tunes are configured to liturgical texts and their meanings.  This organ duo work received its premiere performance on April 24, 2016, with Sophie Johnson Martinez, organist, and me as the second organist.  The event was the Mildred Flood Mahoney Memorial Organ Recital, which was collaborative in nature on this occasion.
• The Martyrdom of St. Alban; Classical keyboard (organ) solo; Wayne Leupold Editions; June 2017; To be published by Wayne Leupold Editions; This work was commissioned in 2015 by St. Alban's Episcopal Church in Tucson, AZ.  During the fall of 2016, I made revisions and additions to the work, putting it in its final form.  There are some exciting possibilities for possible association with an international opportunity in the case of this work. 
• American Public Media: Pipedreams, A Radio Program for the King of Instruments: Program No. 1623 "In Real Time"; Radio; June 2016; In this radio broadcast, my work entitled Passacaglia on BACH (Wayne Leupold Editions) was included on a program with works by Antonio Vivaldi, Paul Halley, Jeanne Demessieux, Henri Mulet, Gaston Litaize, Naji Hakim, J.S. Bach, Charles-Marie Widor, Vincent Youmans, Maurice Durufle, and John Weaver. The performer of my work was Faythe Freese (DMA Indiana, Professor of Organ at the University of Alabama), recorded live at Central Lutheran Church in Minneapolis, MN.  
• Prelude on "Morecambe"; Classical organ solo work; Oxford University Press; June 2016; Oxford Hymn Settings for Organists, Volume 5, Oxford University Press, London, UK; I was commissioned in the Spring of 2015 to compose a setting of the hymn tune "Morecambe," along with the tune entitled "Leoni," for the fifth volume (including items for Pentecost/Trinity) of OHSO (Oxford Hymn Settings for Organists).  These two works will appear in the named collection (involving a list of impressive composers from Europe and the United States).  Publication is certain for 2016.  
• Intrada-Postlude on "Leoni"; Classical organ solo work; Oxford University Press; June 2016; Oxford Hymn Settings for Organists, Volume 5, Oxford University Press, London, UK; Intrada-Postlude on "Leoni" was commissioned by Oxford University Press (Rebecca te Velde, American editor) for the collection entitled Oxford Hymn Settings for Organists, Volume 5 (Pentecost/Trinity), which brings together works based on hymns by composers from Europed and the United States.  This series has attracted rave reviews in journals from both Europe and the United States;  this next volume is slated for release in 2016.  The work based on the hymn tune "Leoni" joins my commissioned piece on "Morecambe" in this upcoming volume.  Both pieces were completed in the Spring of 2015 and have been engraved by Oxford University Press;  the publication is in preparation and will be issued very soon. 
• Variations on "Lobe den Herren" for organ solo; solo organ; Wayne Leupold Editions; June 2016; To be published by Wayne Leupold Editions; This work is a set of variations on a the well-known German hymn tune Lobe den Herren.  The anticipated publication date would be June of 2016.
• Praeludium; Classical solo organ work; Wayne Leupold Editions; June 2016; Wayne Leupold Editions, Contemporary Organ Repertoire; Praeludium was commissioned by the internationally known concert organist Edward Landin.  It now has been performed in Germany, France, and the United States, despite the fact that it was composed and published so recently.  The piece is an homage to the Baroque composer Dieterich Buxtehude, in tribute to the North German stylus phantasticus praeludium that is made up of an alternation of toccata-like passages and fugal sections.
• Taste and See; SATB choir and organ; C. F. Peters, New York; June 2014; Taste and See; C.F. Peters, arguably the most prestigious of classical music publishers, issued my SATB/organ anthem, Taste and See, in time for display at the 2014 National Convention of the American Guild of Organists (AGO), held in Boston.  C.F. Peters maintained a display booth at the exhibit hall at the convention hotel, and my work was prominently displayed among the new releases.  It is now part of the C.F. Peters catalogue and is available for purchase.  The work has been performed by many choirs across the country.  It was commissioned as part of the commissioning series at St. Peter's By-the-Sea Episcopal Church in Bay Shore, New York.
• Fantasy on "Ein feste Burg"; Wayne Leupold Editions; June 2012; Fantasy on "Ein fest Burg"; My organ solo work entitled Fantasy on "Ein fest Burg" was published in the summer of 2012 by Wayne Leupold Editions.  This piece was composed on commission from for the sesquicentennial celebration of Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa (1885-2002).  The piece was composed and world premiered in 2002;  official publication and release took place in the summer of 2012, with featured display at the 2012 National Convention of the American Guild of Organists in Nashville, TN.
• El Tigre: Concerto for Organ and Orchestra; Wayne Leupold Editions; June 2011; El Tigre: Concerto for Organ and Orchestra; This publication was issued in the summer of 2011 and presented at the Region IV Convention of the American Guild of Organists (AGO).  The world premiere performance was given by the Eastern Festival Orchestra under Gerard Schwarz, with Edie Johnson (DMA Indiana University) as soloist.  The program was a shared event between the Eastern Music Festival and the Region IV AGO Convention. 
• Golden Gates; Wayne Leupold Editions; June 2011; Golden Gates, for solo organ; My solo organ work entitled Golden Gates was composed in response to a commission from the San Francisco Chapter of the American Guild of Organists (AGO), for the occasion of the Region IX Convention of the AGO that was based in San Francisco and the surrounding Bay Area July 3-7 of 2011.  The piece was world premiered within the recital program of featured recitalist Angela Kraft Cross.   
• "On This Day, Earth Shall Ring: Five Hymn-Based Works for Advent and Christmas"; Wayne Leupold Editions; June 2010; "On This Day, Earth Shall Ring: Five Hymn-Based Works for Advent and Christmas"; This recently-published work has already been performed on numerous occasions by major artists.  The piece should eventually be reviewed in at least two professional journals. 
• El Tigre; Wayne Leupold Editions; June 2008; El Tigre; This concert work for solo organ (duration:  10 minutes) was commissioned by Catherine Willis in honor of the fortieth birthday of concert organist Douglas Cleveland, 1994 first prize winner in the National Young Artists' Competition in Organ Playing (NYACOP), sponsored by the American Guild of Organists (AGO).  In July of 2008 Dr. Cleveland gave the European premiere performance of El Tigre at New College in Oxford, England.  
• Decker Plays Decker: Museum of the Dance (Volume 4); Classical commercial compact disc recording with major international company (Loft Recordings); Loft Recordings; July 2019; Loft Recordings LRCD 1151; This commercial compact disc is Volume 4 in a series of discs of my performances of my published (and soon to be published) works for solo organ. The first three volumes have received extensive critical acclaim in journals such as Gramophone, Fanfare, The American Record Guide, The American Organist, Choir & Organ, The Diapason, The Tracker, and many others. Three extremely positive reviews appeared as soon as late July in 2019; more reviews are expected in journals around the world.
• Three Halls; Organ solo; Pro Organo CD 7268; January 2016; Commercial compact disc recording; Jonathan Rudy is the 2014 first prize winner of the National Young Artists' Competition in Organ Performance (NYACOP), sponsored by the American Guild of Organists (AGO).  He is a doctoral candidate at the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University, due to complete his DMA very soon.  This commercial CD with a highly esteemed recording company was part of his prize for the NYACOP victory.  The disc's program include works by Johann Sebastian Bach, Louis Marchand, Girolamo Frescobaldi, Max Reger, Camille Saint-Saens, Rachel Laurin, and Pamela Decker (Faneuil Hall, the large-scale solo organ commission for the 2014 AGO National Convention in Boston, MA, where it was world-premiered by concert organist Renee Anne Louprette and also required in the finals of NYACOP).  Faneuil Hall is published by Wayne Leupold Editions.  This recording is now being reviewed in various publications;  one review has emerged so far, and it is cited in another category within this document.  The "three halls" of the CD's title are the two recording venues (Auer Hall and Alumni Hall at Indiana University), and my work, Faneuil Hall.
• The Freese Collection; Solo organ compact disc; Raven Recordings; January 2014; Raven OAR-948; Dr. Faythe Freese, internationally-known concert organist and Professor of Organ at the University of Alabama, recorded a program of works by Pamela Decker, Heinz Wunderlich, and Max Reger on the renowned organ at Magdeburg Cathedral, Magdeburg, Germany.  This release is garnering extremely positive reviews in national and international journals. 
• Elegy and Dances; C.F. Peters; January 2011; Elegy and Dances for Alto Saxophone and Orchestra; Elegy and Dances for Alto Saxophone and Organ; This work exists in two formats:  alto saxophone and orchestra, and alto saxophone and organ;  B-flat trumpet can be used instead of the saxophone.  Both versions are now published and represented by C.F. Peters. 
• Oxford Hymn Settings for Organists: Pentecost and Trinity; Classical solo organ work; Oxford University Press; February 2016; Oxford University Press Hymn Settings for Organists, Volume 5; I was commissioned by Oxford University Press to compose two hymn settings (chorale preludes) for organ solo for this series.  My settings are:  Intrada/Postlude on "Leoni" and Prelude on "Morecambe."  This series is highly regarded and frequently sought after by colleagues in the organ field.  Reviews and responses are proving to be extremely positive.  I already have had communications from colleagues that they are using these works for liturgical occasions, and one colleague recently used "Morecambe" for a job interview performance.  
• Canyon Songs: Music for Solo Horn; French horn solo, and horn with strings; MSR Classics (MS 1684); August 2018; French horn soloist Johanna Lundy, newly-hired Assistant Professor of Horn, the Fred Fox School of Music at UA, is the soloist for this commercial compact disc recording.  Violinist Ellen Chamberlain, violist Sarah Toy, and cellist Robert Chamberlain collaborated in my work entitled Canyon Songs (horn and strings).  The title of my piece was then used as the title for the entire CD.  The recording has already been given a highly positive review in the American Record Guide, but this review appears in the January/February 2019 issue, so it is not cited in "Reviews of Your Work" at this time.  The reviewer describes Johanna Lundy as "a fine performer," and referes to my work as "a relief" in contrast to long stretches of solo horn material (although the works are praised on their own merit). 
• Two Psalm Paraphrases: Dances of Prayer and Praise; Organ solo; Wayne Leupold Editions; April 2019; Two Psalm Paraphrases: Dances of Prayer and Praise; This work is a set of two pieces, the first of which is "Psalm 130:  Out of the depths have I cried unto thee, O Lord."  The piece is based on the German chorale Aus tiefer Not schrei ich zu Dir."  The second work is "Psalm 146:  I will sing praises unto my God while I have any being." This second piece is based on the chorale Heut triumphiret Gottes Sohn.  The first piece is quiet, contemplative, and lyrical, while the second is big, bright, and celebratory.  These two pieces as a single entity were commissioned by the new music committe for the 2017 West Region Convention of the American Guild of Organists (AGO), for world premiere in the program I presented as a featured recitalist at the convention, which was held in Salt Lake City.  My recital took place on June 14 at First United Methodist Church in SLC.  The audience responded with an immediate and lengthy standing ovation.
• God Be Praised; SATB choral anthem with organ or harpsichord accompaniment; Not yet submitted for publicaton consideration; God Be Praised is a choral work with accompaniment that is a modern viewpoint on an earlier, more Renaissance type of style.
• Love Given: Elegy for Molly; Art song for mezzo soprano and piano; I composed this art song in the fall of 2014 in reaction to the tragic death of Molly, the Pembroke Welsh Corgi in Bellingham, WA, who was shot at point-blank range by an inebriated neighbor who had been enraged by having heard a different dog barking.  Molly was in the yard of her own home, with the couple who were her human companions, and was not creating a disturbance.  She died in the arms of the woman (of the couple), of a gunshot wound to the heart.  The song was given its premiere performance in an event that took place at Grace St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Tucson;  the soloist was Katherine Byrnes, and I was the pianist.  There is a demo recording that will be submitted when the work is submitted for possible publication by C.F. Peters.
• 20th-21st Century Organ Music for Two, Volume Four; Renowned duo organists Elizabeth and Raymond Chenault included my Conditor alme siderum (organ duo, Wayne Leupold Editions) on the program for this commercial CD on the Gothic (Loft Recordings) label, released in 2014.  The recording was made at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, Amarillo, TX (all works except the Paulus set), and Washington National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. (for the Paulus work) ;  the disc is attracting extremely positive reviews, including a recent review in the journal for the Anglican Association of Musicians.  The program also features works by Stephen Paulus, David Briggs, Charles Callahan, Nicholas White, and Andrew Lloyd Webber. 
• Ritual and Dance for Organ and Orchestra; Organ and orchestra; Wayne Leupold Editions (eventual); This is a passacaglia and dance (tango) for organ and orchestra.
• Christe, Redemptoris omnium; Solo piano; This is a piece in the 12-piece cycle of solo piano works based upon Gregorian chant melodies.
• Victimae paschali laudes; Solo piano; This is a work in the 12-piece cycle for solo piano based upon Gregorian chant melodies.
• Aeterne rex altissime; Solo piano; This is a work in the 12-piece cycle of solo piano compositions based upon Gregorian chant melodies.
• Veni Creator spiritus; Solo piano; This is a work in the 12-piece cycle of solo piano pieces based upon Gregorian chant melodies.
• Ave Maria (Antienne); Solo piano; This is a work in the 12-piece cycle of solo piano works based upon Gregorian chant melodies.
• Ubi caritas; Solo piano; This is a work in the 12-piece cycle of solo piano works based upon Gregorian chant melodies. 
• Verbum supernum prodiens; Solo piano; This is a work in the 12-piece series of piano solo compositions based upon Gregorian chant melodies.
• Adore devote; Solo piano; This is a work in the cycle of 12 pieces for solo piano based upon Gregorian chant melodies.
• Lauda Sion salvatorum; Solo piano; This is an additional movement in the series of twelve (12) piano solo works based upon Gregorian chant melodies.
• Beata nobis gaudia; Solo piano; This is the first in a series of twelve (12) piano works based upon Gregorian chant melodies.  I will submit this set for publication consideration with one of my regular publishers:  C.F. Peters in New York. 
• "And There Were Shepherds"; SATB/piano (choral work with piano accompaniment); This work has not yet been submitted for publication consideration; Manuscript at this time; This choral work was commissioned by Dr. Bruce Chamberlain, Professor of Music at the Fred Fox School of Music at the University of Arizona, for premiere at the event entitled "Holiday Card to Tucson," which is offered in two identical concerts in a major venue in the Tucson metropolitan area.  This year the event took place on December 3, 2017, at St. Mark Catholic Cathedral in Oro Valley.  Both the premiere and the program as a whole were quite successful and well received by the audience (at both concerts). 
• Lecture/Demonstration on Composition and Improvisation at Loyola University of New Orleans; Lecture with media assistance and keyboard demonstration; The presentation was sponsored by the New Orleans Chapter of the American Guild of Organists and music department at Loyola University.; Not applicable; On Monday, October 22, at 5 p.m., I presented a lecture/demonstration to members of the New Orleans Chapter of the American Guild of Organists and students in the composition and keyboard areas at Loyola University in New Orleans.  The event was a well-attended and lively session that drew enthusiastic participation and response. 
• Canyon Songs; French horn and piano; To be detemined; Not yet published; Canyon Songs, for French horn and piano, was premiered on October 2, 2016 by two different duos.  Christopher Blanco, French horn, and Sara Tobe, piano, performed it at First United Methodist Church in Tucson as part of the Sunday service on October 2;  Johanna Lundy (Tucson Symphony, French horn, and Pamela Decker, piano, performed it at Grace St. Paul's Episcopal Church on October 2, as part of the 10 a.m. service.  In both cases, responses from listeners were extremely positive.  It is my intention to make this work part of a suite for horn and piano.
• Noel, Noel!; Classical choral work with accompaniment: SATB/Keyboard; To be detemined; Not yet published; Noel, Noel! is a Christmas work for SATB choir and organ, piano, or harpsichord accompaniment.  It received its premiere performance on December 24 at Grace St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Tucson, with the chancel choir, my participation as accompanist (piano), and the added elements of a viola part (created for this occasion and played by Wesley Hunter) and percussion (played by Rick Hanson).  The response was strongly positive. 
• Psalm 150; Choral anthem for SATB voices and organ; Not yet published; Not yet published; Psalm 150 was commissioned by Christ Church Philadelphia (Parker Kitterman, Director of Music) for the occasion of the dedication of C. B. Fisk Organ Op. 150, installed in Christ Church as its new pipe organ.  This church has a high profile in the city of Philadelphia and in the country, with a top-level music program.  The piece was to be in part a tribute the major donor Esther Wideman, who was a significant "force" for artistic advocacy in the parish for many years.  The premiere performance of the work took place in a festival evensong program presented on May 6, 2018, with conductor Parker Kitterman and organist Lucas Brown.  People from as far away as New York attended, and the reaction to my new work was extremely positive.  I will be submitting the piece for publication consideration very soon.  It was completed in the Spring of 2018, a few weeks prior to the premiere performance. 
• Singing Tiger; Art song for mezzo soprano and piano; Not yet published; in manuscript at this time; Singing Tiger was commissioned by Dr. Richard Rhoads for the 41st birthday of his husband, the artist Eric Carr.  The piece was world-premiered on June 27 at the home of Dr. Richard Rhoads and Eric Carr, in a soiree performance for an invited audience.  The performers were Crystal Stark, mezzo soprano, and Pamela Decker, pianist.
• Pange lingua; Classical piano solo work; Not yet published; in manuscript at this time; This composition is another item in my developing collection of piano works based on Gregorian chant melodies.
• Impresiones (D minor); Classical piano solo work; Not yet published; in manuscript at this time; This is an additional piano solo work in a series that will be titled Impresiones.  The pieces in this cycle are approximately three to six minutes in duration and are analogous to preludes or nocturnes from the 19th century, but are, in this case, in a contemporary language. 
• Veni, veni, Emmanuel; Classical piano solo work; Not yet published; in manuscript at this time; This is another in my series of piano pieces based on Gregorian chant melodies.
• Impresiones (A minor); Classical piano solo work; Not yet published; in manuscript at this time; This is the second of the Impresiones that I have composer in 2015;  the first several works in the cycle were composed in 2014 and listed in UAVitae for that year. 
• Impresiones (D minor, II); Classical piano solo work; Not yet published; in manuscript at this time; This is the third in the series of Impresiones that I have composed in 2015;  the initial several works stem from 2014 and are listed in UAVitae for that year.
• Ex more docti mystico; Classical piano solo work; Not yet published; in manuscript at this time; This work is part of my developing set of piano solo works based on Gregorian chant melodies.  The objective is to publish a collection of chant-based piano works that could serve as concert works and also as liturgical items for Christina church services in locations where a piano is present. 
• Woodworth (setting for organ of this hymn tune) and Land of Rest (setting for organ of this hymn tune); Solo pipe organ; Oxford University Press; publication to be in 2020; Oxford Hymn Settings for Organists, Volume 7, Oxford University Press; My two hymn settings will join works based on hymn tunes by a list of prominent American and British composers for a volume offering settings of communion hymns. This is the "topic" of Volume 7 of Oxford's series.
• Our God of Blessing; Hymn (congregational) or vocal solo; Wayne Leupold Editions; To be published by Wayne Leupold Editions, probably in a collection of contemporary hymns; Our God of Blessing is a hymn with a unison vocal line and piano accompaniment.  It received its premiere performance at the service entitled "Blue Christmas" at Grace St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Tucson, AZ, on December 13, 2015.  The hymn was met with a great deal of positive comment.  It is to be part of a collection of hymns for the modern church, all with both texts and music of my design.  The text for this specific hymn is original, but based on material from a sermon by the Reverend Steve Keplinger, rector of Grace St. Paul's Church.
• Windows of the Spirit; Organ solo; Wayne Leupold Editions (WLE); To be published soon by Wayne Leupold Editions; I was commissioned for this work by the First Presbyterian Church of Atlanta, GA, in commemoration and celebration of the dedication of their renovated sanctuary pipe organ.  The piece, entitled Windows of the Spirit, was completed in August of 2018.  The work was world-premiered on September 28 and September 30 (two identical performances) by titled organist (of this church) Jens Korndoerfer, who tours under the management of Karen McFarlane Artists.  He has an international reputation as one of the world's top-level concert organists.  Also on the program were two organ concerto performances with the Atlanata Symphony.  Both programs were sold out and were highly successful, with my work having been extremely well received.  Windows of the Spirit was conceived as a tribute to the ten spectacular windows by Louis Comfort Tiffany that are part of this church's magnificent sanctuary.  Jens Korndoerfer has continued to tour with this work as part of his programs.