Erik has composed for many genres, including choral, solo instrumental, chamber, large ensemble, orchestral, and opera. His compositional appeal is his ability to write specifically for his intended performer, whether they are at the beginning of their musical careers or seasoned professionals. His style stays musically accessible while gently pushing boundaries, often includes hidden jokes, and are sure to delight performers and audiences alike.

Much of Erik’s music can be acquired from him directly or through his publishers:

MusicSpoke      Sheet Music Plus     Falls House Press     Lorenz     St. James Music Press

Commissions

Commissioning a new piece of music is a great way to create something beautiful and unique, adding to the rich artistic heritage of humanity! If you are interested in commissioning a new work for you or your ensemble, let’s talk! Please contact Erik using the contact form.

Prizes and Awards

• St. John Passion was awarded the 2017 Raabe Prize for Musical Excellence in Sacred Composition from the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians.
• Lydian Suite won 2015 American Guild of Organists Twin Cities Chapter composition competition.
• Praise won the 2015 Presbyterian Association of Musicians composition competition prize.
• Philadelphia Overture won the 2016 Brass Institute of America (formerly FredBrass) Composition Competition.
• In 2015, Erik’s composition was chosen to become the new Johns Hopkins school song.
• Erik’s arrangement of The Strife is O’er for choir and orchestra was featured as an anthem for Washington National Cathedral‘s 2020 virtual Easter service. Over 800 voices and instrumentalists participated.

Works available for purchase, by Genre

CHORAL

• Anthem of Healing – 2 part choir +org. hear it
• Beatitudes – SATB (opt. div.) +org. hear it
• Evensong Service in E – a complete setting of Evening Prayer (rite1)
  • Magnificat & Nunc Dimittis – SATB +org. According to Erik’s choristers, “the Magnificat sounds like ‘November Rain'” and “the Nunc Dimittis sounds like ‘The Sound of Silence'”. hear it
  • Preces & Responses – SATBB. According to Erik’s choristers, “it begins with Superman”. hear it
• Evensong Service for Treble Voices – unison choir (opt 2 part) + org. hear it
• Four Anthems for the Liturgical Year – unison choir (opt 2 part) + keyboard. “Rejoice, Rejoice, Believers”, “A Babe is Born in Bethlehem”, “There is a Green Hill Far Away”, and “Lift Your Voice Rejoicing, Mary” hear it
• Hodie Christus Natus Est – SATB +org. hear it
• My Inward Joys Arise – SATB +org. An arrangement of one of Erik’s favorite Sacred Harp tunes, AFRICA by William Billings. hear it
• O Lord, Throughout these Forty Days – SATB +org. hear it
• St. John Passion – SATB choir + soloists. Awarded the 2017 Raabe Prize for Musical Excellence in Sacred Composition from the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians. hear it
• some Very True Words that Socrates said (maybe) – SATB (+div) choir. hear it
• Three African-American Spirituals – SATB (+div) choir. “I Want Jesus to Walk with Me”, “Rise Up Shepherd”, and “Wade in the Water”. hear it
• Three Anthems on Poems by George Herbert – SATB (+div) choir. The Call, Praise, and Antiphon (Praise won the 2015 Presbyterian Association of Musicians composition competition prize). hear it
• You Are the Light of the World – SATB +org. hear it

INSTRUMENTAL / CHAMBER

• Lydian Suite – flute & organ. Winner if the 2015 American Guild of Organists Twin Cities Chapter composition competition. hear it
• A Mighty Fortress – organ solo. multiple settings of EIN FESTE BURG. hear it
• Mysterious Love – flute solo. hear it
• Scenes from Childhood – piano solo. hear it
• Stars and Stripes Forever – arranged for 4 piccolos. Yes, you read that correctly – four piccolos. Legend has it that this arrangement is banned in certain parts of the country. hear it
• Suite Modale – flute & organ. Erroneously attributed to the imaginary composer Hjelmar Olsen (1880-1952), this was Erik’s first work for the AEMeyer duo. hear it

LARGE ENSEMBLE

• Dragon’s Lament – brass band / wind band. Written for the Play On Philly students at Freire Charter School. hear it
• Fly, Eagles, Fly – arranged for band. Because, yeah. hear it
• Philadelphia Overture – brass band / wind band. Winner of the 2016 Brass Institute of America (formerly FredBrass) Composition Competition. hear it
• New Jersey Folk Song Sweet – string orchestra. Includes the famous “Watsamattawichu Variations”. hear it
• Suite for Flute Choir – written for the Ganon University Flute Choir.
• Two Hymns for Flute Choir – TRYGGARE KAN INGEN VARA, NETTLETON

 

Other Works

INSTRUMENTAL & CHAMBER

• Phrygian Prelude & Fugue for Organ
• Six Sketches on Children’s Hymns for Organ
• Trio Sonata for Recorder, Flute, and Keyboard

ORCHESTRA

• Gaia Symphony
• Yokai Suite

OPERA

• The Beast in the Cave
• Herbert West, Reanimator
• The Music of Erich Zahn
• The Picture in the House

CHORAL

• Church Going
• Wandering