Brian Q. Torff Debuts Composition in Celebration of America250

Renowned bassist, composer, and Fairfield University music professor Brian Q. Torff’s new work, titled Shaker Songs Suite 250, makes its debut at the Fairfield University Glee Club concert on Feb. 27.

Shaker Songs Suite 250

Music has long reflected the evolving story of American life and culture, shaped by generations who brought their traditions and experiences with them. On Fri., Feb. 27, Brian Q. Torff, professor of music at Fairfield University, will contribute to that tradition with the world premiere of Shaker Songs Suite 250.

The work will be performed at the Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts by Professor Torff and the Fairfield University Glee Club. Composed in honor of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the piece draws inspiration from the melodies of the Shakers, a religious community whose music emphasized simplicity, devotion, and communal life.

Inspired by Shaker Music and Voice

“I knew I wanted to do something to mark the anniversary, and I was searching for a theme,” said Professor Torff, whose inspiration came while visiting a Shaker village in Westville, Kentucky. “The Shakers came over from England before the Revolution, looking for religious freedom. They believed in equality of the sexes and equal rights for Black and Indigenous people—progressive for their time. I was inspired by their strong convictions, and I hope that bold voice comes through in the lyrics of the piece—emotive, passionate.”

“In their music,” he continued, “the melodies are very beautiful, though sometimes haunting. In many cases there is no harmony, and it’s very straightforward. With my composition, I build off their music, shifting and working around that original inspiration to create something new.”

Broadening the Voice

While Shaker music forms the foundation for Shaker Songs Suite 250, Professor Torff felt that another tradition was essential to a composition celebrating 250 years of American history. “Putting the Suite together, I couldn’t leave out the African American experience,” he said. One movement, “Warmth of the Sun,” departs from the Shaker tradition, drawing on a blues-inflected, Black American sound.

America250: The Promise and Paradox

The Glee Club, led by Michael A. Ciavaglia ’04, DMA, director of choral music and professor of the practice in music, will perform Professor Torff’s composition as the finale of their Let Us All Move Along Together concert on Feb. 27.

The concert is part of Fairfield University’s suite of America250: The Promise and Paradox programming in celebration of the semiquincentennial. Shaker Songs Suite 250 is scored for four vocal parts—soprano, alto, tenor, and bass—as well as piano, guitar, bass, and harmonica—with Torff playing the latter three for the premiere.

“We’re at a really interesting and dark time in this country,” Professor Torff said. “My hope with this piece is to convey the magnificence and the complexity of America—to be very truthful and to showcase the things we are proud of, and those that we’re not but need to learn from.”

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