Compositions
I have written for solo piano, voice and piano, flute and string quartet, percussion ensemble, et cetera.
"Olúwa Kú Isé"
Performed by the University of Tyler Percussion Ensemble
"Olúwa Kú Isé" is an arrangement that is based on a traditional Yorùbá folk song with the same title. The song is familiar to the Ìjèshà people of present-day Osun State and is based on a pentatonic, five-note scale (1-2-3-5-6). It has two tonic centers: one on "2," shown by the final cadence, and the other on "6," marked by the overwhelming auditory suggestion of a minor tonality.
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In this arrangement for percussion ensemble and voice, I maintained the original melody and built a polyphonic, interlocking web of melodies and rhythms between the instruments. Ultimately, these (in)dependent horizontal lines culminate in a simple harmony that honors the integrity of the melody's implied tonalities.
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The UT Tyler Percussion Ensemble, under the direction of Dr. Corey Robinson, performed this arrangement three times. It premiered on November 13, 2018, at The University of Texas at Tyler, followed by a second performance on February 12, 2019, at the same venue as a preview for the Texas Music Educators Association (TMEA) Convention. The third performance took place at the TMEA Convention on February 14, 2019, at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center in San Antonio, Texas.
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This video captures the second performance.
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"Isé" (excerpt)
Performed by friends at San Jacinto College
"Ise" is based on a Yorùbá folk song and poem by J.F. Odunjo that encourages hard work and consistency.
I dedicated this piece to my former student and promising young man, Afolabi Ojo (Feb. 15, 1997–April 8, 2016), who passed on at a young age.
It is written for string quartet, percussions, and a chanter. Click here for the full performance.
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CREDITS:
Violin I: Adejayan Ademola. Violin II: Tolulope Emmanuel Omogbehin. Viola: Titus Ogunyemi. Cello: Ab Mo (Seun Oluwaloju). Vocal/Percussion: Paul Irabor. Percussion: Adekunle Ayodeji, Caleb Motinwo, and Alaba Ilesanmi. Poem (Isé lògùn ìsé)
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Video recorded by Claud Monté and Tameike Washington. Video Edited by Ademola Adejayan.
"Wón Kéré Si Number Wa"
Performed by the University of Texas Percussion Ensemble
This composition is based on an original song by Late Prince Olayiwole Fatai Olagunju (July 22, 1927 - June 12, 2013), also known as Fatai Rolling Dollar. “Won Kere Si Number” remains one of his major hits. I rearranged this piece for the University of Texas at Tyler Percussion Ensemble under the direction of Dr. Corey Robinson.
"Awon Orun Nsoro Ogo Re."
Performed by Dr. Agatha Ibeazor Holland
"Awon Orun Nsoro Ogo Re" is an original Nigerian art song based on Psalm 19.
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Dr. Agatha Ibeazor Holland performed this piece as part of her final doctoral performance for her Doctor of Musical Arts degree in vocal performance from West Virginia University.