Welcome to the Homepage of Dr. R. Douglas Helvering

Current News and Upcoming Events

KU Student Composer Award
I am honored to receive the 2008 Anthony Cius Award for Most Outstanding Student Composer at the University of
Kansas. This annual award is voted on by the KU Theory/Composition Faculty members. I am thankful to them, especially
my composition teacher James Barnes, for their support.

Doctoral Status
My friends, family, colleagues, and I are celebrating my graduation from the University of Kansas' department of Music,
where I received the DMA in Music Composition. This degree program was quite challenging but highly rewarding. I'm
extremely thankful to my wife and professors for their support.

Requiem
I am proud to offer my newest composition  and first major work to choral enthusiasts. This work was written as my
dissertation at the University of Kansas. The work, which uses the traditional Latin text, is approximately 40 minutes in
length. There are two versions, both written for mixed chorus, Mezzo-Soprano soloist, Baritone soloist, and optional
children's chorus. One version is scored for organ, and the other is scored for orchestra. \For information about scheduling
this exciting new work,
contact the composer directly.

Upcoming Commissions and projects
In the next few months, I will be completing commissions by the Midwest Double Reed Society for a work for oboe, voice,
and piano as well as a large project for the Somerset Hills School District in New Jersey for their elementary and middle
school choral program. If you are interested in commissioning a new work, arrangement, or any other consulting work,
contact me soon as space in 2008 is becoming quite limited.

Three pieces selected for publication
Imagine Music publishing out of New York will be publishing three of my works. They include an SSA and an SAB version
of a setting of the "Kyrie" text with piano. Both of these selections are appropriate in the educational and church choir
market. The third selection is a Tuba quartet called "Fanfare For a Festival", scored for two Euphoniums and two Tubas.
Look for more information on the release of these pieces in the coming months.

New Publications Available
Colla Voce Music has published two arrangements by Mr. Helvering in their choral series overseen by Dr. Z. Randall
Stroope. The first piece is a setting of
"What Shall We Do With The Drunken Sailor" for TTBB chorus with Baritone solo
and piano. It is NOW AVAILABLE, catalog number 48-96740.  The second piece, premiered at the national MENC
anthem project in NYC,  is an arrangement of
"America The Beautiful" for mixed chorus and soloist. It is slated for a
2008 release.  Choristers Guild has published
"The Lord Bless You and Keep You", scored for SAB choir and piano. The
catalog number is CGA1123, and it is currently available. Hal Leonard will be publishing
"Imaliyam" in 2008. This is an
arrangement of an African folk song for SATB choir with baritone solo and percussion.
www.rdouglashelvering.com
Dr. Helvering's mission as a composer is to create artistically crafted music for all to enjoy.  He
believes in the healing and moving power of music, and his goal is to provide musical satisfaction to
all that listen.  As a specialist in choral/vocal music, Dr. Helvering's composition style is varied,
calling on past practices and styles and creatively weaving them into a uniquely communicative
sound for the 21st century listener.
 
copyright 2004-2008 by R. Douglas Helvering, all rights reserved         rdh@rdouglashelvering.com
R. Douglas Helvering (b. 1977) is a highly active composer of music,
specializing in the choral genre.  Already an accomplished composer at
age 31, he has had his music performed across America and the world.  
Over the past few years Dr. Helvering's music has been featured at the
national convention of the American Choral Directors Association,  at
various  MENC Conferences, at the Piccolo Spoleto Festival in
Charleston, SC, at ACDA regional conventions, and at the historic
Carnegie Hall in New York. Dr. Helvering's music has been widely
acclaimed by performers, scholars, and audiences around the world for
its artistry and emotional appeal.