Nay’s News May 2026
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May is here, and the morning light just keeps shining earlier and earlier. I love the steady progression towards the Summer Solstice and all the rhododendrons taking their turns of color around my house. SPRING IS MY FAVORITE!
A lot of new music is on the way. I am officially booked with choral commissions a full year out, which I am still trying to believe, wrap my head around and organize. A few years ago when I decided to focus on choral composing, I emptied my calendar to a big open nothing so I would have the time for it. I felt a bit untethered then, but now I know it was the right decision. I am so thrilled every time I get to create new music for a choir. Thank you for staying connected to my music!
FEATURED SCORE
Bring your choir together and uplift your audience with Everything is Brighter, a song about the gift of friendship.
Got graduating seniors emotional about saying goodbye at the end of the school year? They will love the pop phrases and rhythmic piano that bring this text to life: "Tell me the songs you want to sing, and all the dreams you ever dream, in anything, I’ll be there for you."
The song is scored for SATB/Piano. Interested in a specific arrangement for your choir? Let me know and let’s make it happen!
Check out this pandemic-era video we made of the premiere with Oregon Repertory Singers:
UPCOMING SHOWS
Tuesday May 12, 6:30pm
Oregon Symphony Lullaby Project Concert
A heartwarming community concert showcasing the new lullabies from this year’s Lullaby Project! In partnership with Oregon Symphony musicians and local singer-songwriters, parents and parents-to-be from Path Home have created personal lullabies for their children, expressing their hopes and dreams for the future. I love being a part of Lullaby!
Alberta Rose Theatre in Portland, OR
Sunday May 24, 5pm
The Cider Janes @ Phelps Creek Vineyard
My just-for-fun harmony-singing trio is about to launch into a bunch of warm-weather gigging. A vineyard concert in May kicks us off! We’d love to see you there.
RECENT ADVENTURES
BRAHMS REQUIEM WITH 2 PIANOS / TIMPANI
OREGON REPERTORY SINGERS
This massive piece by Brahms has completely captured my heart! What a joy to perform it with the Oregon Repertory Singers, 2 pianos and timpani. Thanks to all the artists and the audience for being a part of this performance last month!
SAGE SINGERS GALA PERFORMANCE
What a treat to perform alongside the spectacular Nana Tuckit, Dru Rutledge, Luigi Boccia, and Bobby Jo Valentine, in support of Portland’s Sage Singers!
I hope you are getting outside and taking good care of your spirit. I know it sounds simple, but music always lifts me up, so I'll just keep doing that no matter what. Thank you for walking alongside me on my musical journey!
Your friend,
Naomi (Nay)