"a beautiful boy" by hunter t. johnson - scrolling score

"a beautiful boy" by hunter t. johnson
text from "You Are Jeff" by Richard Siken
Commissioned by Choral Arts Initiative for the 2022 Project|PREMIERE Festival
Recording: Choral Arts Initiative | Connor R. Scott, conductor
Friday, July 1st 2022 - Concordia University Irvine
from the composer: "the text for a beautiful boy comes from Richard Siken’s "You Are Jeff." i have never forgotten the way that i felt when i first read this poem, like someone had finally captured these crystal clear images in my head and in my heart with words. it is my hope that through this setting, i can further elaborate those feelings into music and begin to understand them."

[@deerorcinusorca]

oh my god. A poem by richard siken turned into a choral work. Absolutely amazing.

[@WalrusInATopHat]

Oh wow, that hurt in the best of ways. Was admittedly not expecting to cry this early in the day, but you captured aching and longing and catharsis so well. Thanks so much for this!

[@kiwieagle23]

oh man this is incredible. I'm singing along at home and can feel every word of the performance directions... let alone imagining what it would be like to sing this in a choir. thank you for creating such beautiful music :)

[@nicholasrussell4557]

I've recently come across your pieces randomly on a rabbit hole of choral music and I genuinely think you might be my favourite composer of the 21st century. I have never heard music like this, it's like what I hear in my head but never know how to transcribe. I wish I could write like you it's just gorgeous

[@huntertjohnson]

you are so kind, thank you!! i owe most of it to the poetry 😅

[@unitedthursdayofficialchan5966]

What a beautiful song! you're easily one of my favorite composers of this century. Never stop

[@huntertjohnson]

thank you!!!

[@smcannon29]

An arrangement of this for TTBB would be beautiful

[@huntertjohnson]

@@smcannon29 thank you; i think so too!

[@alxnmxsic]

wow. just wow. the way the choir explodes from a unison on the word “touches” gives me chills. its incredible. thank you for your work!

[@huntertjohnson]

thank you so much! i can’t say enough about how wonderful it was to work with Choral Arts Initiative.

[@alxnmxsic]

@@huntertjohnson of course! youre welcome! i sent you an email through your website, do you mind letting me know if you got it? i mightve put down the wrong email on my end. thanks!

[@huntertjohnson]

@@alxnmxsic you can email me at [e-mail]; the website form acts up sometimes!

[@susannestechow]

Folksong, Love Song.

[@kmlynden1]

lovely

[@zacharyshand3018]

This is just stunning. What a beautiful setting to an immaculate text. And the staff text...woah...completely just put into words how I would approach this piece as a conductor and singer. Bravissimo! Would love to program this piece sometime :)

[@huntertjohnson]

Thank you so much Zachary! Feel free to reach out to me at [e-mail] if you’re ever looking for scores or just want to get in touch!

[@Michael-je2jb]

any idea when this piece might be available to purchase? i’d love for my choir to perform this as part of our spring selection.

[@huntertjohnson]

Hi Michael! You can send me an email ([e-mail]) and I’ll be happy to get you a score.

[@johnaniceto9301]

Hi, Hunter! This is so nice, would it be also possible to get ahold of this piece?

[@huntertjohnson]

@@johnaniceto9301 thank you! feel free to shoot me an email as well ([e-mail])!

[@johnaniceto9301]

@@huntertjohnson sent!

[@Justmightbejm]

Is this on Spotify??

[@huntertjohnson]

it is not; this wonderful recording is non-commercial from a live performance by Choral Arts Initiative!

[@titaniumtogekiss]

there really is something so beautiful about the staff text in this🥹

[@huntertjohnson]

one of my favorite parts of composing! 😊

[@adelaidekawakami6641]

wow this is stunningly beautiful 🥹 and the emotion of the staff text is so intimate and moving

[@huntertjohnson]

thank you! i’m glad you connected with it 😊