Composer Bio
Born and raised in North Carolina, L. E. Bolden (b.1990) received her Bachelors of Arts from Campbell University in Buies Creek, NC. Now, she lives and works in Ottawa, ON, where she owns and operates the L. E. Bolden Studio.
In addition to her teaching duties, Ms. Bolden is the founder and director of The Bold Voices of Ottawa, an upper-voices choir that sings music exclusively by Black composers. Ms. Bolden has written music for that group, as well as several other Ottawa-based choirs.
Choral Compositions
Simply Spirituals:
This arrangement combines three Negro Spirituals on the topic of Water: Take Me to the Water, Deep River, and Wasn’t That a Wide River. It is sung in a canon style, where each song is layered on each other.
Find this piece and others like it in Simply Spirituals: Negro Spirituals for 3- and 4-part Harmony: https://www.sheetmusicdirect.com/se/ID_No/1487045/Product.aspx
This arrangement of Joshua Fit the Battle of Jericho tells the familiar story through the lens of gossipy neighbors.
Find this piece and others like it in Simply Spirituals: Negro Spirituals for 3- and 4-part Harmony: https://www.sheetmusicdirect.com/se/ID_No/1487045/Product.aspx
This arrangement of Go Down Moses features three distinct melodies that work together to create a tapestry of rhythm.
Find this piece and others like it in Simply Spirituals: Negro Spirituals for 3- and 4-part Harmony: https://www.sheetmusicdirect.com/se/ID_No/1487045/Product.aspx
Other Titles:
This beautiful a’capelling arrangement of the Negro Spiritual is written for four treble voices. The simple melody shifts between each voice to convey a poignant message of hope and perseverance.
Purchase this piece here: https://www.sheetmusicdirect.com/se/ID_No/1385284/Product.aspx
This energetic setting of Psalm 100 for treble voices has a vibrant Caribbean flair! Though it was written to be performed a’capella, an improvised djembe part would not be out of place and is highly encouraged!
Purchase this piece here: https://www.sheetmusicdirect.com/se/ID_No/2003164/Product.aspx
Vocal Solos:
This set of pieces is all about cats! Text by Oliver Herford, these pieces are suitable for elementary aged singers and make great recital pieces!
Purchase the scores here: https://www.sheetmusicdirect.com/se/ID_No/1360977/Product.aspx
This spooky song cycle for the mezzo-soprano tells three ghost stories with texts by Ella Wheeler Wilcox, Madison Julius Cawein, and Thomas Hood. This makes a great recital piece for the intermediate to advanced singer!
Purchase the score here: https://www.sheetmusicdirect.com/se/ID_No/1209933/Product.aspx
Piano Solos:
This haunting minimalist piece has a repetitive and sweeping melody that invokes the image of moonlight dancing on the waves of the sea. This piece is suitable for an intermediate to advanced pianist with a great sense of control.
Purchase the piece here: https://www.sheetmusicdirect.com/se/ID_No/1293217/Product.aspx
This fun, fiery piece is suitable for the intermediate pianist. It is dramatic and exciting and calls for control in the hands. You'll have fun with the lilting 6/8 time and the dramatic changes in dynamics.
Purchase the score here: https://www.sheetmusicdirect.com/se/ID_No/1385225/Product.aspx