Orchestral Recommendations

An early work for Hindustani singer and orchestra. Some aleatoric elements. Suitable for professional and college ensembles. As with Meri Sakhi Ki Avaaz, the Hindustani singer does not need Western training, but experience performing with an orchestra is a huge advantage.
Instrumentation [2222.4220, timp +2perc, harp, strings] Available exclusively from CF Peters.

This is a mid-size work for sinfonietta, suitable for college to professional ensembles. It explores subtly changing colors and textures, starting with classically Indian textures, and moving slowly into a more Western palette.
Instrumentation [1111.1111, piano (lightly prepared), 1 perc, strings]

Is a longer work for orchestra that reflects on the complexity of a woman’s experience in classical music. A feature of this work is a passage where all musicians with treble voices are asked to hum a drone note, which creates an unusual, haunting texture. It has some tricky passagework, but is suitable for professional and high-level college ensembles.
Instrumentation [2222.4221 timp +3, harp, piano/celesta, strings]

There are two versions of this work. The original version of the work was written for a soloist who is able to improvise in a Hindustani style (the piece can work for a player with a jazz or other improvisational background as well). But there is another version meant for Western-classically-trained clarinetists that is completely notated. Orchestra parts suitable for professional and college ensembles.
Instrumentation [solo clarinet, 3332.4211 timp +2 perc, harp, strings]

This is a work I co-wrote with Hindustani violinist Kala Ramnath, using the five elements (Space, Air, Fire, Water and Earth) as a canvas to explore the effects of climate change. The piece requires a violin soloist who is trained in the Hindustani style (to date, only Kala herself has performed this concerto). The orchestra parts can be rhythmically quite tricky, and is suitable for a professional orchestra.
Instrumentation [solo Hindustani violin, 3333.4331 timp +3perc, harp strings]

This is a work for solo violin and string orchestra. While the solo violin part should be played by a professional violinist, the orchestra parts are designed specifically for intermediate level students. The piece breaks down the traditional separation between soloist and orchestra, and provides an avenue for inter-level collaboration (the soloist is also asked to collaborate).
Instrumentation: [solo violin and string orchestra]

The solo aria from Say Your Name, with original text by Rebecca Gayle Howell, this work stands alone, and can be a short addition to set for soprano and orchestra, or a single piece. It is a dark work about the experience of being gaslit — and explores suspense, terror and rage. It ends: “Have you ever been too scared to breathe? I have…”

This is a work for soprano, Hindustani singer and orchestra about sisterhood across cultures. Suitable for professional and college ensembles. The Hindustani singer does not need to have Western training, but it is quite tricky for a Hindustani singer who has not performed with an orchestra before. If you are programming this piece, please feel free to contact us for Hindustani singer suggestions.
Instrumentation — two versions are available: 3333.4221 and 2222.4220 winds. Both also include timp +2perc, piano, harp and strings.

This is a work for soprano, Hindustani singer and orchestra about sisterhood across cultures. Suitable for professional and college ensembles. The Hindustani singer does not need to have Western training, but it is quite tricky for a Hindustani singer who has not performed with an orchestra before. If you are programming this piece, please feel free to contact us for Hindustani singer suggestions.
Instrumentation — two versions are available: 3333.4221 and 2222.4220 winds. Both also include timp +2perc, piano, harp and strings.

This short work is a great introduction to my music, especially for younger ensembles. It is an arrangement of a bhajan (Hindu devotional song), and is suitable for a high school orchestra. Additionally, it comes with the option of adding a short prelude before the piece, to which students can either sing or play recorder.
Instrumentation: [2222.4220, timp +1, strings]

A wild, colorful overture for orchestra (3333.4231), with a minute-long prelude and postlude on either side for oboe solo/duet (so, 7’ total). The work has some tricky passagework, especially for the winds, but is suitable for professional and high-level college ensembles. (Note: this work is currently under exclusivity, and will be available in 2023.)

This cantata is about democracy, through the lens of women’s suffrage. With a beautiful new libretto by Rebecca Gayle Howell, this work reminds us that “To vote is to pray, not to the One we cannot see, but for the Many we can.”
Instrumentation [SATB Chorus, soprano soloist, 2222.2221 timp +2perc, piano, strings]

This is a single movement work about the immigrant experience, with text by Neelanjana Bannerjee. It is suitable for college or professional ensembles.
Instrumentation [SATB choir, 2222.4231 timp +2perc, harp, harp, celesta, strings]

The string orchestra version of the last three movements of my String Quartet. It is the single most-performed large ensemble work in my catalog. The work is suitable for professionals and high-level student ensembles. There is quite a bit of divisi, but there has been success playing the work one-on-a-part with about a dozen musicians. An ideal size ensemble would be 6.5.4.3.2 or above.

A short, lively work for orchestra (available in 4220 or 2210 brass versions), that also has an optional tabla part. It is third movement of a longer work for sinfonietta, (see below), orchestrated for full orchestra. Vishwas is slightly easier than RE|Member — it is suitable for younger college ensembles, but a straightforward play for professionals. The tabla part will require a dedicated player, trained in Hindustani percussion (a member of the orchestra will not be able to handle the part unless they have specific tabla training). If you are considering performing this work with a tabla player and need a recommendation, please contact us.
Instrumentation: [2222.4220, timp +1, strings] OR [2222.2210, timp +1, strings] +optional tabla

A short, lively work for orchestra (available in 4220 or 2210 brass versions), that also has an optional tabla part. It is third movement of a longer work for sinfonietta, (see below), orchestrated for full orchestra. Vishwas is slightly easier than RE|Member — it is suitable for younger college ensembles, but a straightforward play for professionals. The tabla part will require a dedicated player, trained in Hindustani percussion (a member of the orchestra will not be able to handle the part unless they have specific tabla training). If you are considering performing this work with a tabla player and need a recommendation, please contact us.
Instrumentation: [2222.4220, timp +1, strings] OR [2222.2210, timp +1, strings] +optional tabla