CATALOG > BIBLICAL EPICS SERIES

American Prize Awarded Compositions

The Passion of John Brown
Winner, 2011 American Prize for Composition

The fascinating life of 19th-century abolitionist John Brown and the events that forged his iron will in his long struggle to end slavery.  Surround-sound with narration.

"TOTAL KNOCK OUT"
​"JOHN BROWN was a total knock-out. I keep hearing from people how moved they were by the music, the drama, the pacing, and the haunting flashbacks." —Christopher Wilkins, Music Director, Akron Symphony

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There's A Stirrin' In The Water
​Special Judges' Citation: "Best Use of Musical Material from Another Source"
​2017-18 American Prize in Composition

Orchestra, chorus, and soloist.  20 min.

​​A celebration of the American Spiritual exploring the rich heritage of this important body of American folk music.

"MAGNIFICENT NEW WORK"
A magnificent new work. The experience with Stirrin'  was fabulous. "
​—Christopher Wilkins, Conductor, Akron Symphony

Beneath Suspicion
​Finalist Honorable Mention, 2017-18 American Prize for Composition

True story of  2 daring women who helped turned the tide of the American Civil War.  Two sopranos and piano.  20 minutes. Perform as an oratorio or a staged mini-opera.  

"EDGE  OF  OUR  SEATS"
"Ayers, with his slender forces on stage, keeps us on the edge of our seats in this drama that, like The Passion of John Brown, features a triumvirate of minor-major seventh chords that circle around each other to darken the mood, which is complemented by ingenious weaving of  'Am I A Soldier of the Cross?' and 'Let My People Go.' ​— Dr. Walter Saul

The Fire of the Living God
​Finalist, 2016 American Prize for Composition

​A surround-sound, programmatic work based on I Kings 18.  The movement can stand alone.

"BLOWS  THE  AUDIENCE  AWAY"
"I have conducted this work on several occasions and it always blows the audience away. All of Ayers' works are extremely well-crafted by a composer who really knows and respects the concert band."
     — Dr. Jeffrey Scott Doebler, former president, Indiana Bandmasters

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Rahab
​Finalist, 2014 American Prize for Composition

Part oratorio, part radio drama.  A surround-sound concert story of Joshua 2 for mezzo-soprano and symphonic winds with audience participation. 

"MOVING,  INTENSE"
"RAHAB is one of the most moving, intense, and exciting compositions I have had the privilege of conducting.  The story, music, surround-sound acoustics, and audience participation are compelling.  I can’t wait to perform it again" 
​— Dr. Jeffrey Doebler, former president, Indiana Bandmasters

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Jericho
Finalist, 2014 & 2013 American Prize for Composition

A surround-sound concert story of Joshua 6 with narration and unorthodox audience participation.

"MOST  IMAGINATIVE"
"JERICHO is by far the most imaginative, unusual and successful work
​I have ever performed in 33 years of conducting.”   
— Richard Fischer, conductor, Concordia Univ.-Chicago Wind Symphony

"ASTONISHED"
There was absolute silence for what felt like an eternity. I have never received so many astonished comments following a concert.  People were emotionally moved by the piece. I had numerous requests to perform it again.  —Miles Wurster, Director of Bands,  Martin Luther College

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...and they gathered on Mount Carmel
Finalist, 2013 American Prize for Composition

A surround-sound, programmatic work based on the great contest between the prophet Elijah and
the prophets of Baal recorded in I Kings 18.

"BLOWS  THE  AUDIENCE  AWAY"
"I have conducted this work on several occasions and it always blows the audience away. All of Ayers' works are extremely well-crafted by a composer who really knows and respects the concert band."
     — Dr. Jeffrey Scott Doebler, former president, Indiana Bandmasters 

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