I love to run my mouth off about music, and I love to write about it (“musicologist” is one of the many hats I wear). This has manifested in my life with folks asking me to write program notes for their concerts and it’s something I really like to do.

I learned by reading the works of the Jedi master of program notes, the great Brian Newhouse, through the many albums he did for the Dale Warland Singers. All his writing is stellar, but the one that’s stuck with me over the years is his description of the Benedictus section of Frank Martin’s Mass for Double Choir as “water sliding over ice.” It’s vivid imagery for sure but, perhaps more importantly, it describes exactly what’s happening in that passage for listeners who haven’t necessarily had any musical training and invites them right to the center of the music.

Anyway, if you wanted me to write some words for your concerts—or maybe even give a pre-concert talk—I’d love to! Click on the samples below to read.

amass: a new oratorio by Jocelyn Hagen

  • University of Michigan Chamber Choir; adapted into liner notes for album on Navona record label - 2023

  • The Singers—Minnesota Choral Artists; world premiere; commissioned by the composer - 2011

From composer Jocelyn Hagen:

“As both a composer and gifted writer, Josh crafts timeless, meaningful program notes to accompany compositions new and old.  His knowledge of history, theory, and compositional craft compliments his curiosity in describing all facets of the music, thoughtfully packaging the most important messages into easily digestible morsels of thought-provoking and insightful narrative.”

A Plainspoken Tragedy: The Construction of Two Simultaneous Tourist Gazes in the Passion Genre

  • Musicology master’s thesis (University of Texas at Austin) - 2019

Minnesota’s ‘Occasional’ Composer: An Interview with Kenneth Jennings

  • The Singers—Minnesota Choral Artists; commissioned with grant funds for the sesquicentennial of the state of Minnesota - 2008

Northwest Solstice: A Wintertide Concert

  • Choral Arts Northwest - 2022

Northwest Solstice: Mid-Winter Songs

  • Choral Arts Northwest - 2023

Samuel Barber: An American Romantic

Stephen Paulus: A Lyrical Life

  • Conspirare; notes and pre-concert lecture - 2016

Two Boys Kissing: An Oratorio for Tenor/Bass Choir and Instruments

  • Composition doctoral dissertation (University of Texas at Austin) - 2016

We Walk to the Fence: Craig Hella Johnson’s Considering Matthew Shepard

  • Concordia College; notes - 2024

  • Denison University; notes - 2024

  • Choral Arts Northwest; notes - 2023

  • The Choral Project; notes - 2023

  • The Singers—Minnesota Choral Artists; pre-concert lecture - 2022

  • Gonzaga University Chamber Singers; pre-concert lecture - 2021

  • Spokane Kantorei; pre-concert lecture - 2021

Testimonials about the pre-concert lecture for Considering Matthew Shepard

“Josh’s pre-concert talk, shared by video, was a crucial part of The Singers’ presentation of Considering Matthew Shepard.  Our audience feedback was SO positive, especially as the video created meaningful context and shared important pieces of history. But to have the video available to the choir members - that was a game changer! I will never perform CMS without the pairing of Josh’s insight and knowledge. It proved too valuable a tool for better understanding and meaningful music making.”

Matthew Culloton
Founder and Artistic Director, The Singers – Minnesota Choral Artists

“In our preparation to perform Considering Matthew Shepard, Josh deepened the experience for our ensembles (Gonzaga University & Spokane Kantorei) through several presentations focusing on various aspects of this composition and Matthew’s story. He also presented a pre-performance lecture for our audience and musicians, which aired 1 week before our performing in 2021. His presentation brought Matt to life for us in a new way through stories, Matt’s own words, and his life in Laramie. He also helped us broaden our understanding of this passion story of a young gay white man through intersectionalities and the context of the LGBTQ+ history. Our singers ranged in age from 18 to 65, so have lived different experiences of LGBTQ+ history, and all felt included and valid, invited into larger, deeper, and meaningful reflections. This background for both singers and audience alike was absolutely crucial in grounding our performance as not just a performative act but as part of a larger awareness and commitment to sharing Matt’s story for a greater good. As a colleague and conductor of Josh’s, being able to be part of these reflections helped me pause in the midst of busy production schedules, reflect deeply, and be more fully present to tell this story with vulnerability and care.”

Timothy Westerhaus
Director of Choral Activities, Northern Arizona University
Artistic Director, Choral Arts Northwest