Eli Hooker Reese, senior, has been named one of four winners of the inaugural King's Singers New Music Prize for choral composition. As part of the competition, applicants submitted an original choral piece using one of five texts chosen by The King's Singers and historian, poet and leading choral lyricist Charles Anthony Silvestri. Hooker Reese won the under 18 category for his arrangement of "When All Falls Silent." The winning composers each received a cash prize, a premiere performance and recording of their work, and the opportunity to have their piece published by Walton Music.
Hooker Reese has always been interested in music. "Since before I remember, I've been teaching myself piano, discovering the range of emotions I can convey through certain combinations and progressions of notes," he shared. "I think my musical concentration on chords and harmony really serves the composition of choral music, especially this piece, where each phrase evokes such vibrant emotion."
Hooker Reese is an active member of the MHS choral and theatre programs. He gained experience creating choral compositions as part of a Heart Week Singing Telegram group in 2020. "I arranged a few hit 60s-70s rock songs [for the quartet]," said Hooker Reese.
"MHS offers so many opportunities, and although getting involved is the overstated cliché of the school's activities, I've genuinely enjoyed my intense involvement in choral extracurriculars," he said. "Without Minnetonka Choirs, I definitely wouldn't have experienced the same exponential expansion of my musical endeavors. The pieces we've studied and sung with the Concert Choir and Chamber Singers have informed many of my musical ideas."
The King's Singers competition was the first time he finished a composition for a capella voice and felt happy with the result, he shared. "I can conclusively say that 'When All Falls Silent' is my first original choral piece." In a press release about the award, the competition jury called the composition "a gem of lyricism and open voicings that truly allow for its beautiful harmonies to shine."
As a winning composition, Hooker Reese's arrangement will be performed by the King's Singers later this month. He looks forward to hearing the other winners' compositions, in addition to his own. The other three category winners are professional composers. "As an aspiring composer and musician, it will be so cool to hear what professionals in the field have created," said Hooker Reese. He also looks forward to meeting them one day, when possible.
Hooker Reese plans to continue creating and studying music. "In the future, I'll continue to sing with any choral groups I can," he said. "I also hope to keep playing violin in symphony orchestras, keep writing, recording and producing my 'popular music,' and eventually study composition in a formal college setting."
The Washington National Cathedral will host The King's Singers New Music Prize celebration event as a webcast performance featuring the world premieres of the winning compositions on Sunday, February 28 at 5 p.m. CT. Tickets are $10, available through Washington National Cathedral's website.
