photo by Mindy Best
Composer Nell Clowder
Nell Clowder (aka Nell Manycats) began studying music at age six,
when her father showed her how to play the clarinet (which was too big for her
to hold properly). She began piano at age ten and graduated from The University
of Texas with a Masters in piano performance. Her interest in voice
arose through vocal accompanying and through her role as co-director of the
Austin women's chorus, Tapestry Singers. Tapestry's quest for original material
spurred her to write her first vocal works. She has written for chorus,
small instrumental ensemble, and in 2019 composed and produced the oratorio
"A Hundred Times More" in celebration of the 19th amendment. Nell lives in Austin, Texas,
with her partner, Ruth, and many cats.
For scores not provided by this page, please contact Nell by
emailing:
All rights to music provided on this page reserved except as noted below.
opera/oratorio |
orchestral |
instrumental |
voice |
choral |
improvisations
Opera/Oratorio
An Artist's Regrets
libretto
sample score
video from the One Ounce Opera performance on March 3, 2024
audio (MP3. Computer performance, no words) 25 minutes
The mini-opera An Artist's Regrets tells the story of an aging woman artist
tormented by regrets. With the help of a mystical chorus, she
reconsiders her past choices, but doesn't see the light until ambushed by her own self.
An Artist's Regrets is a winner in the 2024 One Ounce Opera micro-opera
competition,
Fresh Squeezed Ounce of Opera Spotlight on An Artist's Regrets
An Artist's Regrets was nominated for the
2023-2024 B. Iden Payne theater awards in the category
"Outstanding Short Script."
A Hundred Times More
The oratorio A Hundred Times More tells the dramatic story of
the white Grimke sisters, Sarah and Angelina, and black abolitionist Sarah
Mapps Douglass, who, together, worked for abolition and helped pave
the way for the women's movement that led to the 19th amendment.
website , including links to full audio
Lullaby , with mezzo soprano Page Stephens
and pianist Parvati Mani
Shopping for Happiness
libretto
sample score
audio (MP3) Opening
aria performed by Charissa Whillock. 19 minutes
In the opening aria of the mini-opera, Shopping for Happiness , we meet
Bobbie, a woman overwhelmed by the state of the world. Only shopping alleviates her
frustration and depression, but she is broke. When a gift card magically appears,
Bobbie goes to the Happiness Mall, where her gift card is good for one, but only one, transaction.
Which vendor will she pick? Pennyman's Palace of Possessions? Harold's Magical Health and
Beauty? Gloria's Glorious Romance? Or could it be that a shadowy, witch-like vendor,
who does not sell to but actually takes from her customers, holds the key to Bobbie's happiness?
Orchestral
Hope
Listen to Hope Try to listen with good speakers - it needs some volume and some depth to
really come off.
Instrumental
Glimpses from the Time of Covid-19 Glimpses was written early in the pandemic, spring of 2020. Each glimpse is
one to two minutes long. "from the time of" indicates the composer's
belief, not uncommon then, that covid was something that would become a thing of the past.
Alas, not so. The pieces recall the weirdness of those early days, both the whacky and
the tragic.
Listen to Glimpses
sample score
Sonata for Flute and Piano
score
flute part
1st movement
2nd movement
with flautist Monica Salas and pianist Nell Clowder
Sanctus Spiritus Variations on Hildegard of Bingen recording with flautist Monica Salas
more information and links to score
Three Moods of Time for Viola and Piano
score
audio
Solo Voice
Five Haiku by Chiyo-Ni
Text: five haiku by the 18th century Japanese woman poet, Chiyo-Ni.
Chiyo-Ni's haiku reflect her love of nature and her sensibilities as a Buddhist.
Listen to Five Haiku by Chiyo-Ni (computer generated, no words, but gives a fair idea of the piece)
Setting: (lyric) soprano with piano accompaniment
score
Choral
Wise Mother
Permission to copy Wise Mother score and parts for use by one choir,
to perform Wise Mother ,
and to record and distribute performances of Wise Mother
for sale at, near, or under cost is hereby granted to non-profit and educational organizations.
All others, please contact Nell.
recording by
Tapestry Singers
Aspiration
Permission to copy the score of Aspiration for use by one choir
is hereby granted to non-profit and educational organizations. For performance
and/or mechanical rights or copying rights for other entities, please contact Nell.
Going On
Permission to copy the score and parts of Going On for use by one choir
is hereby granted to non-profit and educational organizations. For performance
and/or mechanical rights or copying rights for other entities, please contact Nell.
recording by
Tapestry Singers
Koko, All Ball, and Penny
Text: the true story of Koko the gorilla, who knows sign language and plays with kittens
Setting: SSA with keyboard
score
voices
keyboard
no recording available
Permission to copy the score and parts of Koko, All Ball, and Penny for use by one choir
is hereby granted to non-profit and educational organizations. For performance
and/or mechanical rights or copying rights for other entities, please contact Nell.
Moonlight
Text: "Moonlight" by Joy Harjo. A haunting evocation of the moon.
Setting: SSAA score
no recording available
Permission has been obtained from the poet for a non-profit performance. Please contact Nell for more information.
Sojourner Truth was a Woman
Permission to copy the score of Sojourner Truth was a Woman
for use by one choir is hereby granted
to non-profit and educational organizations. For performance and/or mechanical rights
or copying rights for other entities,
please contact Nell.
recording by
Tapestry Singers
Song of the Cat
Text: a joyful look at a cat's life. "I want in...I want out..."
Listen to Song of the Cat (mp3)
Setting: SSAA with flute & piccolo, wood block, keyboard(s) and/or bass.
There are various possibilities for ensemble. Listen
to the recording and adapt as best you can to what you have available.
Permission to copy the score and parts of Song of the Cat
for use by one choir is hereby granted
to non-profit and educational organizations. For performance and/or mechanical rights
or copying rights for other entities, please contact Nell.
recording by
Tapestry Singers
Welcome
Text: An all-embracing welcome, nice for opening a program or event. Simple, unpretentious,
not too difficult. You can adapt the words to make your welcome suit an occassion or timely circumstances.
There are opportunities for section or individual solos, if you care to take them.
Listen to Welcome (mp3, no words)
SATB
SSAA
Setting: score
voices
score
voices
Permission to copy the score of Welcome
for use by one choir is hereby granted
to non-profit and educational organizations. For performance and/or mechanical rights
or copying rights for other entities,
please contact Nell.
Improvisations
BuddyLuck Shoes
flute, clarinet, piano
improvisations with BuddyLuck Shoes
