News
Check back often for the latest news on all things Alexis Ward. For dates and announcements on upcoming premieres or performances of Ms. Ward's compositions, please click on Upcoming Events.
World Premiere at Carnegie Hall, NYC
June 20th, 2022
The world premiere of Alexis Renee Ward's "Nos Non Solum" took place on June 20th, 2022 in New York City on the renowned stage at Carnegia Hall. This latest composition was commissioned by Mindy Forehand, directed by Drew Bradley, and performed by the choirs and alumni of Ola High School and the New Englad Symphony Orchestra.
DDA Awards Alexis Renee Ward Artistic Opportunity Grant
February 2022
The Delaware Division of the Arts has awarded Alexis Renee Ward a project based Artistic Opportunity Grant. With funds from the DDA, four music videos are being produced of original compositions by Ms. Ward set for SATB a cappella choir. The music videos are due to be released in the late summer of 2022.
World Premiere of "Covenant Advent Vespers"
December 12th, 2021
On December 12th, 2021, the world premiere of Alexis Renee Ward's multi-movement work for SATB Choir, string quartet, oboe, clarinet, percussion, and handbells was premiered at the Presbyterian Church of the Covenant in Wilmington, DE. This project was commissioned by Covenant's Director of Music, Ryan Pryslak, and was partially funded by a grant from the Delaware Division of the Arts.
Carnegie Hall Poster Released
March 1st, 2021
The official poster for the world premiere of Alexis Ward latest commission, "No Matter What", at Carnegie Hall has been released! "No Matter What" was commissioned by choral director, Mindy Martin and will be performed by the choirs of Ola High School and the New England Symphony Orchestra.
Amplify Women Composers New Video Release
December 23rd, 2020
As a part of Amplify Women Composers' Advent Calendar, the Choir School of Delaware has premiered the virtual performance of Alexis Ward's arrangement of "Break Forth, O Beauteous, Heavenly Light". The piece was programmed and directed by Arreon Harley.
Upcoming Project Announced in the Philadelphia Inquirer
December 10th, 2020
Alexis' arrangement of "Break Forth, O Beauteous, Heavenly Light" has been selected for a special Advent project promoting the works of female composers. The piece will be performed virtually by the Choir School of Delaware under the direction of Arreon Harley. The video will be released on December 23rd, 2020.
New Website Launched!
July 1st, 2020
As the pandemic continues, a lot has been going on behind the scenes. Thrilled to announce the launch of Trinity Presbyterian Church's brand new, remodeled website built and designed by Alexis Ward. Feel free to check it out and explore all that Trinity is doing to stay engaged with their community during the COVID-19 crisis. For more remote/online projects by Alexis Ward, please visit the "Virtual Projects" page under "Performance".
Alexis Ward Featured on "Sundays in Song" Podcast
February 9th 2020
The professional choir at St. David's Episcopal in Baltimore recently performed Alexis Ward's "Tu Lumen". Following up after the performance, Alexis was interviewed as a part of the church's "Sundays in Song" podcast run by their Director of Music, Dr. Douglas Buchanan. To watch the full interview, click the link below.
Director of Music at Trinity Presbyterian Church
August 2019
Alexis is thrilled to be joining the staff of Trinity Presbyterian Church as their new Director of Music. Alexis will be responsible for the thriving music ministry of Trinity directing their children's choirs, youth choir, bell choirs, and adult Chancel Choir. She will also direct the Young Musicians of Faith Scholarship program, an internship for 8 college students from the music school at the University of Delaware.
You can learn more about Trinity at https://www.trinitypresby.org
"The Covington Carols" Christmas Cantata Premiere
Sunday, December 16th at 11:00am
"The Covington Carols" is the latest cantata by Alexis Renee Ward and will be premiered by the music ministry of First Presbyterian Church of Covington on the 3rd week of Advent. This multi-movement work features familiar Christmas tunes and texts such as "Twas in the Moon of Wintertime", "Rise Up Shepherd and Follow", "Break Forth, O Beauteous, Heavenly Light", "While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks By Night", and more. The work is set for SATB choir, bell choir, instrumental ensemble, soprano soloist, and baritone soloist.
Meridian Chorale to perform at Spivey Hall
Saturday, November 17th, 2018 at 7:30pm
Join the Meridian Chorale for a performance of substantial and challenging choral repertoire on the glorious stage of Spivey Hall. Alexis Ward has been performing with the professional choir for 3 years and is thrilled to be joining them again for this performance. Repertoire featured this evening will include the Leonard Bernstein Missa Brevis. Other composers featured in the program will include Hildegard von Bingen, Josquin des Prez, Orlando Gibbons, Benjamin Britten, Samuel Barber, and Steven Darsey.
Greensboro Hymn Festival 2018
June 24th, 2018
The Greensboro Chamber Choir is excited to announce the Greensboro Hymn Festival 2018! You are invited to join us on Sunday, June 24th at 6:00pm at the Lake Oconee Lutheran Church for a concert featuring the Greensboro Chamber Choir accompanied by a professional chamber instrumental ensemble. While the choir sings the concert program, audience members will cast their ballots and vote for their favorite hymns. Once the votes are tallied up, the winner will be revealed and the audience, choir, and chamber orchestra will join their voices to perform Greensboro’s Favorite Hymn of 2018!
The program will include titles such as “It Is Well with My Soul”, “The Gift of Love”, “Amazing Grace”, “Hymn of Promise”, “His Eye Is On the Sparrow”, “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot”, “Holy, Holy, Holy”, “Blessed Assurance”, “Great Is Thy Faithfulness”, “Crown Him with Many Crowns”, and more! The concert is family friendly, and admission is FREE - We hope to see you there!
"Because He Lives" Easter Cantata World Premiere
March 22nd, 2018
On Thursday, March 22nd at Lake Oconee Lutheran Church, the Greensboro Chamber Choir will premiere a new work for choir, soloists, narration, and orchestra by Alexis Ward. The multi-movement work titled "Because He Lives" features familiar Easter melodies with brand new settings and texts. The piece reminds us that we are all children of God and that we can all find a renewed sense of hope in the message of the Easter story no matter where we are in life.
Ritz-Carlton Christmas Eve Performance with LOCC
December 2017
All are welcome to join a special service of Christmas Eve at the Ritz-Carlton at Lake Oconee. The event, held by Lake Oconee Community Church, will feature dual pianos, vocal soloists, and professional cello quartet. Alexis Ward will be a featured soloist at this event and hopes to see many in the community in the Ritz-Carlton ballroom at 9pm on December 24th.
Messiah Homecoming Concert
December 2017
The Greensboro Chamber Choir, under the direction of Alexis Ward, is thrilled with the success of their homecoming concert, "Handel's Messiah and the Carols of Christmas". The performance featured the choir, several professional soloists, and an all professional orchestra. The venue was sparkling with the Christmas spirit with decorations and lights and the space was so packed at the start of the concert people were standing along the sides and back of the sanctuary. A handful of people were even gathered in the church narthex outside the performance space. The Greensboro Chamber Choir thanks those who attended and all who supported the performance following the ensemble's Carnegie Hall debut. They look forward to their upcoming 2018 season.
Meridian Chorale Folk Advent Performance
December 2017
Alexis Ward will be joining the professional choir, the Meridian Chorale, under the direction of Steven Darsey for a special Folk Advent Service at the Old Church Oxford in Oxford, Georgia. Ms. Ward will also serve as a soloist in the event that will also feature guest instrumentalists and a bluegrass band. All are welcome to attend this marvelous pairing of classical choral music and southern bluegrass.
Herald Journal Article - Greensboro Choir Returns from Carnegie Hall
December 2017
Be sure to pick up a copy of this week's Herald Journal for a story on the Greensboro Chamber Choir's recent trip to NYC to sing Handel's Messiah at Carnegie Hall. One correction to the article: the choir was selected by a scout/representative at DCINY to participate in the event. No audition tape was sent in by the choir. All are welcome to attend the group's upcoming homecoming performance on Sunday, December 3rd at 6pm at Lake Oconee Lutheran Church.
Greensboro Chamber Choir Takes Manhattan - Carnegie Hall Performance
November 2017
The Greensboro Chamber Choir, under the direction of Alexis Ward, has taken Manhattan by storm! Over 70 people from the organization headed up to New York City for the performance of a lifetime. The choir members of GCC joined the singers of several other choirs to perform Handel's Messiah at Carnegie Hall. At one point, over 500 voices and full professional orchestra were singing in a remarkably profound and powerful arrangement of Handel's "Hallelujah Chorus". The audience's reaction to the performance was incredible and the experience for the singers was once-in-a-lifetime. The Greensboro Chamber Choir looks forward to returning home to Greensboro, Georgia for their homecoming performance in December. For a review of the concert by the New York Concert Review, please click the link below.
Lake Oconee News Article - Choir Slated for Carnegie Hall
November 2017
The Greensboro Chamber Choir has made front page news! GCC is headed to NYC to sing in Carnegie Hall. The choir, under the direction of Alexis Ward, has been hard at work preparing Part 1 of Handel's Messiah. To go directly to the article, click the link below.
Performance at the Glen at Lake Oconee Village
August 2017
Join us at the Glen at Lake Oconee Village for an afternoon recital of Broadway favorites performed by Alexis Ward, Vern Sumner, and Reva Alexander-Hawk. The recital is open to the public and is in support of the Greensboro Chamber Choir and their upcoming travels to NYC. The choir will be performing Handel's Messiah in Carnegie Hall in November. Many thanks to the Glenn for their support of GCC!
Winner of Zane Busch Award for Most Creative Composition
June 2017
Alexis Ward was just awarded the Zane Busch Award for Most Creative Composition at the Pine Lake Music Composer's Event in Atlanta, Georgia this week. The award was for her piece "A Boy and a Girl", an a cappella work for SATB choir. Judges for this award included Joseph Martin, Ed Hogan, Brad Nix, Lloyd Larson, Marty Parks, and Robert Sterling.
"Though the Eyes of the Doubter" Success!
April 2017
The audience was packed for the Greensboro Chamber Choir's world premiere of Alexis Ward's "Through the Eyes of the Doubter". The eleven-movement work for choir, orchestra, and narrator followed the story of Easter through the eyes of the apostle Thomas. After a long standing ovation at the conclusion of the piece, the performers received rave reviews from audience members who were touched by the new music shared that night. Many requested that the piece be performed again soon.
Alexis Ward Featured on DOCK 103.9
April 2017
Tune in this week to DOCK 103.9 for an exclusive interview with composer, Alexis Ward. Host, Doug Hesse, will discuss the composition process, the professional musician's life, the upcoming world premiere of her new piece, "Through the Eyes of the Doubter", and more! Interviews will be on community spotlight each day this week at 11:10am.
World Premiere "Through the Eyes of the Doubter"
April 23rd, 2017
On Sunday, April 23rd at 6:00pm, the Greensboro Chamber Choir will be premiering a brand new Easter Cantata by composer, Alexis Ward. The piece is an eleven movement work for narrator, soloists, choir, and orchestra. You will not want to miss this special event conducted by the composer!
Christmas Cantata and Visit with Composer, Joel Raney
December 2016
The Greensboro Chamber Choir Christmas season has been a busy one! On December 4th we will be performing this year's Christmas Cantata by composer, Joel Raney. We will be sharing video footage from Joel Raney's recent visit and workshop with the choir when he visited Greensboro in November. We hope to see you there!
Introducing ChoralFest 2016
May 2016
I am thrilled to announce the first annual Greensboro ChoralFest. This will be a celebration of the choral arts with community singing, workshops, hymn sings, guest conductors, clinicians, fellowship, and more. The weekend will also feature the premiere of a brand new work composed especially for this event with composer, Mark Templeton, joining us the entire weekend for workshops, meet-and-greet, and more.
ACDA Boston Conference
February 2016
Looking forward to this year's regional ACDA conference in Boston!
Oconee Idol
January 2016
I have thoroughly enjoyed being involved with OPAS' 2016 Oconee Idol seeking local talent in this singing competition. I was fortunate to serve as a judge in the preliminary competition. We narrowed down auditionees to 12 competitors who will compete in the live Oconee Idol competition this January.
Christmas Cantata by Joseph M. Martin
December 2015
On Sunday, December 13th, 2015, the Cantata Choir of Greensboro First United Methodist Church under the direction of Alexis Renee Ford performed Joseph M. Martin's "Season of Wonders" for an audience of around 700 church and community members. The performance was very well received, and we look forward to sharing our Easter Cantata in March, "Covenant of Grace" also by Joseph M. Martin.
Say Yes To The Dress - Atanta
December 2015
This December, TLC's "Say Yes to the Dress - Atlanta" chose to film a special episode in Greensboro, GA. Son of show host, Lily Allen, is getting married, and the show has decided to feature the wedding in an episode to be premiered Winter 2016. Although I am not allowed to share any details, I can share that I have been asked to direct the music for this special event, and my church choir has been recruited to sing a few selections for the ceremony. Looking forward to seeing the special in a few months!
Lecture at the 2015 DMEA State Conference
October 2015
Clinician, Alexis Renee Ford, will be offering a lecture titled "'For Us, The Living": Conductors, Choirs, and Living Composers". This session explores the beneficial and easily attainable collaborative opportunities between conductors and living composers. Topics include finding new composers/scores, connecting, commissiong music, costs, grants, commission consortiums, and more! For more information visit the Delaware Music Educator Association website.
Alexis Renee Ford Scores for Sale at Chorus America
June 2015
If you are attending the Chorus America Conference in Boston, MA from June 17-20, please stop by the Swirly Music booth in the exhibit area. There, you'll be able to purchase my sheet music and get introduced to the music of many more talented self-published composers!
Swirly Music Announcement
June 2015
My scores are officially availble for purchase on SwirlyMusic.com! For the official announcement of my joining the team at Swirly Music, click here.
Coming Soon: Swirly Music Inc.
February 2015
I am thrilled to announce that I have now joined the talened artists at SwirlyMusic.com. Here my music will be advertised and available for purchase in either hardcopy or digital format. Please take a moment to check out their wedbsite, learn more about their featured composers, and purchase new choral music!
ACDA National Convention in Salt Lake City, Utah
February 2015
What a fantastic week with fellow choral artists in Salt Lake City, Utah. Many thanks in particular to all those involved putting together the new Composer's Track as part of the conference schedule this year. Looking forward to the opportunities ahead at the Eastern ACDA convention in Boston, Massachusetts in 2016 and the National ACDA convention in Minneapolis, Minnesota in 2017.
Happy New Year!
January 2015
Happy New Year! 2014 was a great year. I enjoyed writing lots of new music with premieres of several new choral pieces including a brand new cantata for the Lenten season. There are already many upcoming performances and premieres to look forward to this year. See the Events page to find a performance near you or consider purchasing or commissioning a new work for your ensemble. Here's to 2015!