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Becky Waters (b.1958) is principal organist and composer-in-residence at Trinity United Methodist Church in Huntsville, Alabama. She also teaches composition at the University of Alabama in Huntsville and maintains a private teaching studio.

Listen to the first movement of her woodwind trio - The Distance Between

Current projects:

• A work for Flute, Oboe, Bassoon to be premiered May 20 by the Apogee Winds.
• The Distance Between - Interval Etudes for Woodwinds - seven movements are planned, each based on one of the intervals, seconds through octaves. (seconds through fifths completed as of February 2006.)

Download an updated list of works and past performances here.

March 13, 2006 - Premier of Reoccurring Themes, a work for Clarinet, Trombone and Marimba. UAH Recital Hall, 7:30 p.m. Ron Wray-clarinet, Don Bowyer-trombone, Debbie Hudson-percussion

• International Alliance of Women in Music, 14th Annual Concert - Pasadena, CA - June 2004

Reflections on PUER NOBIS NASCITUR, chosen through peer review for performance at the concert.

• Society of Composers National Conference - Oklahoma City, OK - March 2004

Two choral pieces, Thou Art God (with brass quintet) and If There Is To Be Peace (a cappella), chosen through peer review for performance at the conference.

• Twin Cities Organ Concert Series Composition Award - Benton Harbor, MI - January 2004

Reflections on PUER NOBIS NASCITUR, for organ. Won first prize.

• 2nd International Musical Composition Contest - Tournai, Belgium - December 2003

If There Is To Be Peace placed as finalist and was performed in finalists concert last December, winning 2nd prize in the Amateur Choral Division.
 
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• Reflections on PUER NOBIS NASCITUR (organ)

IAWM 14th Annual Concert, Pasadena, CA, performed by Frances Nobert and dedicated to her late husband. June 4, 2004.

• My Father's World (treble choir, flute, piano)

Commissioned for the St. Andrews Choir and the Ascension Singers of Peachtree Presbyterian Church in Atlanta, Georgia. Premiered May 16, 2004.

• If There Is To Be Peace (a cappella choir)

Society of Composers National Conference, Edmond, OK. March 6, 2004.

• Thou Art God (choir and brass quintet)

Society of Composers National Conference, Edmond, OK. March 6, 2004.
 
• No More Blinded by the River (flute, clarinet, violin, cello, piano)

Commissioned for the Annual Spring Scholarship Concert at UAH, Huntsville, AL, February 2004. Bob Gifford-flute, Ron Wray-clarinet, Jeff Dortch-violin, Veneta Billmayer-cello, Becky Waters-piano, Hugh Ballou-conductor. March 7, 2004.

• Reflections on PUER NOBIS NASCITUR (organ)

Twin Cities Organ Concert Series: "Christmas Past-Epiphany Treasures," First Congregational Church, Benton Harbor, MI. Becky Waters, organist. January 25, 2004.

• If There Is To Be Peace (a cappella choir)

Finalist concert of the 2nd International Musical Composition Contest, Tournai, Belgium. December 12, 2003.
 
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Instrumental (for additional works, see Arrangements)
 

No More Blinded by the River (2004) for flute, clarinet, violin, cello, piano

A single-movement work commissioned for the Spring Music Scholarship Concert at UAH in Huntsville, premiered March 7, 2004.

Journey to Perfection (2003) for two percussionists and piano

Written in memory of 2-year-old Lindsey Ferguson, this is 20 minute “experience” piece depicting the grief process we often go through when something or someone we love is taken away from us. It explores the internal question: How will you allow this experience to affect the rest of your life? Premiered May 3, 2003, Graduate Recital, Huntsville, AL

Garden of Decision (2003) for oboe, violin, organ

A two-movement work premiered on the AGO Lenten Concert Series March 20, 2003 at Trinity United Methodist Church, Huntsville, AL.
Broken - The long melody line of this movement is “broken” between all three instruments as it continually reaches upward, full of grief, yet searching for hope and consolation. So Be It – The “right thing” is not always the easiest thing to do, but eventually a sense of resolve is reached. The motive for this movement is based on the “amen” phrase common to Gregorian Chants.

Rex Caeli (2002) for chamber strings

“The mortal eye sees the external form; thou, however, dost search through the hiding places of the soul.” (Excerpt from the Gregorian Chant, Rex Caeli, “King of Heaven”) Based on this Gregorian Chant excerpt, this piece explores both the stillness required for soul-searching and the turbulence that sometimes results when we try to resist.

Fantasy on EASTER HYMN (2002) for brass quintet, organ

Designed as an Easter morning prelude, this piece features the hymn tune commonly used with the text, “Christ the Lord is Risen Today.” Premiered at the November 2002, AGO Composers Concert, Huntsville, AL.

Seven and Seven (2002) for flute, clarinet, bassoon, piano

Premiered at AOF, April 2002, GSU, Atlanta, GA, this seven-piece collection parodies human relationships and interactions: The curtain rises on a party already in progress. The main character makes his grande Entrance and starts a Dialogue with another person. You decide how the conversation ends, but one of them is looking for A Little Diversion. But the diversion doesn’t work and now they must really get To Parting Inventive. Maybe a two-part invention will work and because it does, they are thoroughly Diverted. The one diverted from, becomes extremely Disgusted and finally makes a grande Exit.

Bridal Processional (2000) for trumpet, organ, handbells

Commissioned for the Waters/Kennedy wedding, September 2000, Atlanta, GA. (Other versions planned: Organ Only, Trumpet/Organ.)

Reflections on PUER NOBIS NASCITUR (1996) for solo organ

Based on the hymn tune, PUER NOBIS NASCITUR, from a 15th Century Trier manuscript. The tune was adapted by Michael Praetorious in 1609.
 

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Make a Joyful Noise (2003) for SATB, oboe, organ

Commissioned in celebration of Larry Dill’s nine-year pastorship at Trinity United Methodist Church, Huntsville, AL. This setting of Psalm 100 represents the new and the old, the traditional and the “contemporary,” and is a representative musical synthesis of Larry Dill – the forward thinker, rooted in tradition.

Thou Art God (2002, revised) for SATB, brass quintet

A majestic concert anthem Based on Psalm 90: 1,2,4,12,14. Premiered at an SCI Conference, 1998, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA

If There Is To Be Peace (2002) for a cappella SATB

Text written by Lao-Tse. Premiered on an AOF Concert, GSU. Performed by members and friends of the Peachtree Chorale and fellow student composers/singers.

Apostles Creed Hymn (2001) accompanied hymn for choir and congregation

Music by Becky Waters. Words by Mary Hoffman, Director of Children's Music, Peachtree Presbyterian Church. Commissioned by PPC for the 2001 Apostles Creed Sermon Series, Dr Victor D. Pentz, Pastor. Will be included in Hope’s upcoming Hymn Supplement

Alleluia, Christ is Risen (2000) for SATB, brass quintet, organ

Commissioned for the Easter Services at Peachtree Presbyterian Church, Atlanta, GA

Depth of Mercy (1996) for SATB, piano (optional strings)

Commissioned for the Sanctuary Choir, Norcross Presbyterian Church, Atlanta, GA, this was a featured piece on the 2000 Germany/Austria tour with the Peachtree Presbyterian Church’s Sanctuary Choir. It has also become a standard in the repertoire at Trinity United Methodist Church in Huntsville, AL.

My Jesus, I Love Thee (1996) for SATB, piano

This setting features a new melody to the familiar words of this hymn-text by William R. Featherston.

Celebrate the Lord (1995) for 2-part treble voices and piano

A lively anthem that can be used with any combination of treble voices - children or adult.

Have Faith in God (1993) for SATB, piano

A light, fun setting of a new melody to the familiar hymn-text by B. B. McKinney.

Holy Spirit, Breathe on Me (1993) for SATB, piano with optional flute

A new melody written to a hymn text originally written by E. Hatch and altered by B. B. McKinney. This choral setting is an adaptation of the vocal solo from the collection, O Love That Will Not Let Me Go.

O Love That Will Not Let Me Go (1992) vocal solo, piano

A collection 10 pieces featuring new melodies to familiar hymn texts for medium to high voice.

Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us (1980) for a cappella SATB and Narrator

The first verse of this setting features a new melody adapted from a solo piano setting of the hymn. The narration is spoken over a quiet text-less harmonization of the familiar tune.

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Children

 
My Father's World (2004) for treble voices, flute and piano

Commissioned for the St. Andrew Choir and the Ascension Singers at Peachtree Presbyterian Church in Atlanta, Georgia, this setting of the familiar hymn text, This is My Father's World, by Maltbie Babcock, features a new, lilting melody. There is a brief statement of the hymn tune, TERRA BEATA, in the middle section before going back to the new melody and a joyous finish. Premiered May 16, 2004.

Come and See (2001) musical for treble voices and piano

Commissioned for the spring concert of the children’s choirs at Peachtree Presbyterian Church, Atlanta, GA, this 40-minute musical tells the story of how Jesus called each of his 12 disciples. Many of the pieces have become favorites with the children.

The Path to God (1999) for 2-part treble voices and piano

Written for the Chorister’s Guild Helen Kemp Workshop at Peachtree Presbyterian Church, Atlanta, GA, this has become a favorite with the children’s choirs at Peachtree.

Celebrate the Lord (1995) for 2-part treble voices and piano

A lively anthem that can be used with any combination of treble voices - children or adult.

Everybody Has Something to Give (1980) musical for 2-part treble voices, piano and optional percussion

Less than 30 minutes, this children's choir musical tells the story of the loaves and fishes, illustrating how God can use all our gifts, no matter how small we may think they are.

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Arrangements (instrumental and choral)
 

A Christmas Medley (2002) for orchestra and solo voice

A medley of Christmas songs commissioned for the Many Moods Christmas Concert at Trinity United Methodist Church, Huntsville, AL

I Am Resolved (2002) for 2-Octaves handbells (4-in-hand quartet or full choir)

A lively, multi-meter setting premiered by the Adult Handbell Quartet and the Peachtree Handbell Quartet of Peachtree Presbyterian Church.

 More About Jesus – (2002) for 2-Octaves handbells (4-in-hand quartet or full choir)

This is the 2nd piece in a collection of hymn settings for handbells. (Next one planned is a setting of The Solid Rock.)

Where E’er You Walk (2001) for SATB choir, organ or piano

This choral setting of Handel’s aria was commissioned for Jim Kitchell’s wedding in Atlanta, Georgia.

Winter Fantasy (2000) for brass ensemble, percussion, piano, duet voices

A medley of Christmas songs commissioned for Peachtree Presbyterian church’s Nick & Friends Holiday Concert.

Give of Your Best to the Master (1998) for SATB, piano

Commissioned for the Frank Harrington sermon series on favorite hymns, this energetic setting opens and closes with a short spoken rhythmic title statement.

Blest Be The Tie That Binds (May 1997) for solo organ

This fun setting features a “blues” ritornello that accompanies the hymn-tune melody in the pedals.

Savior, Like a Shepherd Lead Us (1980) for a cappella SATB and Narrator

The first verse of this setting features a new melody adapted from a solo piano setting of the hymn. The narration is spoken over a quiet text-less harmonization of the familiar tune.