premiered June 1, 2003. Improvisational work for full orchestra and trio (saxophone, percussion & piano).
Concerto for Alto Saxophone and Orchestra (2003)
premiered April 26 & 27, 2003. Commissioned by Michael Hester and the Catalina Chamber Orchestra, Tucson AZ.
Sinfonietta (1994) -- for purchase at my online shop
Received the 1995 Jim Highsmith Award, San Francisco Conservatory of Music.
An exciting, three-movement piece which explores elements of bright, uplifting American music and dark melancholy within a fresh and light scoring for chamber orchestra.
Concerto Solstice (1993, rev. 94)
(for solo cello and chamber orchestra)
Commissioned by the Sutter Symphony Orchestra, Sacramento, California.
Single-movement work depicting the motion out of the darkness of winter into the promise of the returning sun.
Transparency of the Veil (1992) -- for purchase at my online shop
Received the 1993 University of Arizona President's Concert Competition Award. A gentle yet bold, single-movement work, with beautiful color and motion throughout.
(Concert Band -- grade 3)
Premiered March 2, 2006 by the St. Ambrose University Symphonic Band.
Commissioned by the St. Ambrose University Symphonic Band and its Alumni in honor of Dr. Charles B. DCamp, Emeritus Professor of Music and Director of Bands.
Coyote Dances (2005)
(wind ensemble)
Premiered March 14, 2005 by the Southwest Missouri State University Wind Ensemble.
An exhuberant piece based on a Native American story about Coyote's attempt to dance in the heavens.
(Vocal Soloists, Mixed Choir, and small ensemble)
Major liturgical work, written as my dissertation for the Ph.D. from the University of Oregon.
Visit www.EarthMass.org for complete, and detailed information.
Five Songs (1995)
(mezzo-soprano; fl/alto fl; cl/bass cl; horn; piano; perc; vln 1; vln 2; vla; vc)
poems by David Campbelll, composed for Sylvie Desouches, mezzo-soprano.
Personal, moving, and orchestral in nature, these pieces move from atonal movements to pentatonic pattern music to show the complex layer of poetry written by the composer's brother.
(alto sax; elect gtr; vc; db; perc; pno)
amplified ensemble.
An unapologetic, fun collection of pieces that incorporate the composer's experience in rock, minimalism and things post-modern.
Snake Eyes: for Viola & Ensemble (1998)
(solo viola; alto sax; elect gtr; vc; db; perc)
amplified ensemble
An exploration into the world of octatonicism and its "snakey"-ness, this single-movement work combines the virtuosic ability of the violist with the power of a mixed ensemble in a combination of dramatic and virtuosic moments (arrangement of same piece for violin and marimba).
Frontal Lobe (1996) -- for purchase at my online shop
(fl; cl; vln; vc; perc; pno)
amplified ensemble
An adrenaline-raising, energy-filled experience that explores the more driving and repetetive nature of music. Owing a lot to rock music, this piece expresses contemporary life from a very willful perspective. Musically, it is based on an incessant two-against-three rhythm, a minor-third melody figure, and a single harmonic area that shifts up only at the end. Rather than staying with one color of instrumental combinations, the listener will be aware of bold, sometimes soothing, often striking combinations of the different instruments. Formally, the composition follows a three-part plan, moving from a loud section into a softer section of release, and a final section that is even more boisterous than the first.
Thoughts Behind A Whisper(1994)
(alto fl; cl; vln; vc; vib; pno)
A gentle piece of color and melodic weavings in an evokative tapestry that recalls "La belle epoque" of Paris in the early 20th Century.
Soaring (1993)
(fl; vln; pno)
commissioned by Bazie Tankersley
A beautiful, traditionally scored piece of music depicting the space below a soaring, majestic bird of prey.
Deep Peace to You (2002) -- for purchase at my online shop
(SATB Chorus and Piano)
Based on sketches for my Saxophone Concerto, this is a beautiful, meditative setting of ancient Gaelic text: Deep peace of the running wave to you.
Deep peace of the flowing air to you.
Deep peace of the quiet earth to you.
Deep peace of the shining stars to you.
Deep peace of the Son of Peace to you.
Earth Mass (2001)
(Vocal Soloists, Mixed Choir, and small ensemble)
Major liturgical work, written as my dissertation for the Ph.D. from the University of Oregon.
Visit www.EarthMass.org for complete, and detailed information.
(recorder consort; guitar; percussion; voices)
Production of the Shakespeare play by St. Ambrose University Theatre Department, Davenport Iowa, April 2006
Elizabethan era music, including set changes, a march, dance-music, and a song that really helped define the production.
Music for The Sins of Sor Juana (2002)
(alto; soprano; guitar; ocarina; percussion; cello; bass; harpsichord; electronics)
Borderlands Theater Production, Tucson, Arizona, September 12 29, 2002
Beautiful, haunting music incorporating styles of music active during the Colonial period in Mexico, including Gregorian chant, early Baroque court dances, and authentic Aztec music in historically accurate and contemporary settings that are heard alone and layered together in various combinations. Performance suite for solo alto and orchestra available for performance in 2003. Please contact composer for details.
"William Campbell's music was one of the most compelling aspects of the production. A cross between Gregorian chants, European court music and indigenous music, it set a mood, was full of emotion and enhanced the action on stage. " - Kathleen Allen, Arizona Daily Star
Music for Blood Wedding (1998)
(soprano; alto; chorus; fl; gtr; perc)
University of Oregon Theatre Arts Department Production, Winter 1998
Songs, set-changes and underlay for this production of Garcia Lorca's masterfully dark play.
Music for Shadowlands (1997)
(fl; ob; cl; hn; vln; vla; pno)
University of Oregon Theatre Arts Department Production, Spring 1997
A gorgeous set of musical underlay in the tradition of Ralph Vaughan Williams, scored for a small ensemble that approaches a symphonic texture. Performance suite is available.
Autumn Winds was written shortly after a move from Tucson, Arizona to Springfield, Missouri. One early autumn evening in Springfield I was taking in the beautiful colored leaves, and found myself missing many of the things we left behind in Arizona. This song recalls some of those things while pondering a life change. (Duration: ca. 5:00)
Waiting (1997)
(mezzo-soprano; pno)
poem by William Campbell
"As I waited for the birth of our second son, we were also awaiting the reemergence of the sun to the Pacific Northwest after its extended absence in the winter."-W.C. Open harmonies grow organically and melodically to support the voice in a hopeful song for light and happiness
Kyrie (1995)
(solo tenor)
A dramatic setting of the Greek text from the Roman Mass, in plainchant style.
Create in Me A Clean Heart (1995)
(tenor and piano)
commissioned by Jarred Fenske
A traditional setting with some surprizing shifts in harmony, and a beautiful melodic line.
Five Songs (1995)
(mezzo-soprano; fl/alto fl; cl/bass cl; horn; piano; perc; vln 1; vln 2; vla; vc)
poems by David Campbelll, composed for Sylvie Desouches, mezzo-soprano.
Personal, moving, and orchestral in nature, these pieces move from atonal movements to pentatonic pattern music to show the complex layer of poetry written by the composer's brother.
commissioned by Alice Blankenship, violin
An exploration into the world of octatonicism and its "snakey"-ness, this single-movement work combines the virtuosic ability of both performers in a combination of dramatic and virtuosic moments.
Dance of the Waterflame (1992, rev. 93)
(cello duo)
An energetic piece of contrapuntal and pattern-music sections culminating in a big climax.
Inspired by my time as faculty at St. Ambrose University, I arranged this version of the alma mater, "Ambrosian Oaks" (which is Finlandia by Jean Sibelius).
She Spoke Softly (1998)
Influenced by the modal solo piano works of John Cage, this is a quiet, atmospheric piece that includes improvisation passages.
In Half-Light (1995)
commissioned by Peggy Salkind, piano
A single-movement piece that evokes beauty throughout.
(solo vibraphone)
commissioned by Todd M. Hammes
A difficult but very satisfying piece for mallets, with melodic interweavings and layers in a texture that includes elements of jazz.
* in addition to the songs listed, Mr. Campbell has also written approximately forty sacred songs in a popular music context (voices and rock group), and been commissioned by churches to write masses and anthems in that style.
