I'm looking for information on this composer, aka D. G. Mason. He has numerous pieces on Choral Wiki, but no biographical info in Wiki or elsewhere that I can find. I believe he's English. We're looking at his SSA Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis.
Maybe it is time for a personal email to him to explain your programming, to request for a brief CPDL bio, and to invite him to join the CMAA Forum? :-)
I was remiss in not following up on this - I did hear from the composer and this was his autobiography:
"Denis Mason, by profession a Chartered Surveyor, is an amateur musician who was choirmaster & organist at a parish church in Birmingham (UK) for a number of years before business commitments necessitated a change of direction. For 34 years he sang counter-tenor in, and was a deputy conductor of, the Worcester Cathedral Voluntary Choir who still sing a number of his compositions/arrangements from time to time. Now retired from active participation, he devotes his time to composing and arranging choral music with an emphasis on the needs of the smaller choir."
An added bonus was a link he recommended Music for Small Choirs. Some interesting resources for those whose choirs might be short on men and also information about a Small Choir Festival.
My women are enjoying Mr. Mason's Magnificat and we'll use it at our English-Latin Vespers on November 20th. On my darkest days, I take comfort in the thought that there are so many people out there still loving sacred music.
I've performed one of Denis Mason's compositions in concert with my vocal ensemble and have been trying to get in touch with the composer. The e-mail address on his website no longer seems to be valid. Could someone help ?
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