i wana cry with u (2014)

i wana cry with u (2014)

for SATB Choir
text by Steve Roggenbuck
commissioned by Cor Flammae


When the opportunity to both sing with, and write for Cor Flammae, I couldn't say no. A few years ago, I had stumbled upon the writings of internet poet, Steve Roggenbuck. One of his texts stuck with me in a way that I knew I needed to set it for choir.

i wana cry with u
but we cant
because if we were together we
wouldn't be sad 

Initially, I interpreted the poem through the lens of queer love. While that worked well enough, it soon became clear that the scope of this poem's meaning couldn't be limited by one narrative. I opted for a format that allows each singer to discover their own interpretation as part of singing the piece.

Score and recording to come after the July 24th premiere performance.

A Spirit Alive in a Ready Body (2013)

A Spirit Alive in a Ready Body (2013)

for Mezzo-Soprano and Pianist
text by Ray Hsu
commissioned by Lynne McMurtry and Alison d'Amato

For the fourth year of Art Song Lab, Ray and I have stepped back from participation in order to focus on organization. However, a summer celebration of song would be incomplete without a new instalment from our unique collaboration.

One of the focuses in our partnership has been to explore the concept of Interview. This is a topic we first delved into with Compassion & Sacrifice, and continued to some extent in Art Song Lib. We began this piece by interviewing Lynne, and imagining how her responses change with context and the identity of the interviewer. As with much of my vocal writing, I've tried to bring out as many 'readings' of the poem as possible within the context of the performance.

This piece has a very special place in my heart because it involves all three of the Art Song Lab co-directors: Ray, Alison, and myself. Even though the piece isn't an official part of ASL 2013, it stands as a testament to the community of art song we've strived to create and have seen flourish in the last few years.

Stay tuned for score and recording after the June 24, 2013 premiere.

Art Song Lib (2012)

Art Song Lib (2012)

for Singer, Pianist, and Scribe
text by Ray Hsu
Written for and performed by Phoebe MacRae and Rachel Iwaasa as part of VISI Art Song Lab 2012.

I have collaborated with Ray Hsu on a number of projects, including the founding of Art Song Lab, an innovative program that teams composers with poets as part of the Vancouver International Song Institute's SONGFIRE festival in partnership with the Canadian Music Centre.
For those of you who don't know our work, it is an understatement to say that we skirt the status quo...

We started this project in a café, Ray asking, 'what can we do that would be awesome?' Knowing that we were writing for soprano Phoebe MacRae (a goddess of musical comedy) and pianist Rachel Iwaasa (who can rise to any challenge), our answer was to turn the entire experience of a madlib into an art song. Integrating audience suggestions into the song, no two performances will be the same!

Click here for a PDF of the Score.

Well, Is It Just Me, Or Is Everything Getting Shittier? (2011)

Well, Is It Just Me, Or Is Everything Getting Shittier? (2011)

for Tenor and Piano

This song is a setting of the same-titled poem by Ontario poet, Shannon Duncan.  The song was written for tenor, Drake Dantzler and pianist, Erika Switzer for performance at the second annual Art Song Lab.  

Well, Is It Just Me Or Is Everything Getting Shittier? by michaeljpark
performers: Drake Dantzler, tenor; Erika Switzer, piano

Click here for a PDF of the Score.

Diagnosis Diabetes (2011)

Diagnosis Diabetes (2011)

chamber opera for six voices and piano

Commissioned by The University of Manitoba’s Contemporary Opera Lab, under the direction of Mel Braun, this 20-minute chamber opera explores internal conflicts and concerns relating to type-one diabetes.

Following the success of the COL commission, Diagnosis: Diabetes will be developed into a one-act opera which will serve as Michael’s doctoral thesis.  More information about that project can be found here.

Click here for a PDF of the Score.

More Than Containers (2010)

More Than Containers (2010)

for Baritone and Piano

A short song for baritone, setting a poem by Ray Hsu as a conversational dialogue between piano and voice.  This song was premiered by baritone, Michael Broder and pianist, Laura Lowen at the Vancouver International Song Institute as part of the inaugural Art-Song Lab. 

Click here for a PDF of the Score.

Songs of Ray (2010)

Songs of Ray (2010)

It's Cold in here 

In the cliff-light

for SATB Chamber Choir

text: Ray Hsu

This set of two songs, uses texts by Vancouver poet, Ray Hsu.  Commissioned by Charissa Bagan and Jake Funk for The UBC Chamber Choir.

Recorded from the UBC Chamber Choir Spring Concert, 2010.

Click here for a PDF of the Score.

Valley Candle (2009)

Valley Candle (2009)

for Soprano and Piano

instrumentation: soprano, piano

text: Wallace Stevens

duration: 5 minutes

written for Rachel Mallon

Click here for a PDF of the Score.

Wedding Song (2007)

Wedding Song (2007)
for Choir SATB and Piano

Written for Heather and Gareth Gill on the occasion of their wedding.





text by Fiona Shiells, Michael Park, and Scott Greig

True love stands the test of time like a star that will always shine.
Your love burns bright on your wedding night with the passion of a fine red wine.

This magical moment marks the start,
the intertwining of two young hearts.
The future is yours to explore
all the wonderful things that you have in store
as together you mine nickel ore.

Baking With Momma (2007)

Baking With Momma (2007)
for Choir and Narrator

Fun for the choir as well as the audience, this piece recreates a child's experience of baking chocolate-chip cookies with their mother using nothing but the voices of an 8-part choir and narrator.

Performed by the University of Manitoba’s Cantata Singers, directed by Mel Braun, with Delea Shand, narrator.

Click here for a PDF of the Score.

Songs for Nana (2006)

Songs for Nana (2006)
There was an old woman...
for Soprano and Piano

An early composition, this is a song cycle using four of Dean's Mother Goose Nursery Rhymes that relate to old women.

Written for Jennifer Shaw.

Score and recording are available upon request.