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About the author
Don Michael Dicie has been fond of spirituals, folksongs, and plainsong since he began music lessons in elementary school. During his formal music training he developed his interests in music theory and composition while studying with William Baxter and Hugh Thomas.
He was organist and choir director at the Cathedral of St Paul, Minnesota (1966-72), where his boy choir participated in performances with area orchestras, ensembles, and chamber groups. He received commissions for choral and instrumental music from the Visitation Convent School in St. Paul, Belle Meade United Methodist Church in Nashville, and the Nashville Chapter of the American Guild of Organists. From 1973-94, Dicie taught reading and vocal music in Nashville public schools and, from 1976-94, was organist and choir director at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Franklin, Tennessee. He presently serves as organist and church music director at Trinity United Methodist Church, Franklin, Tennessee.
Summary
for SATB and piano
Don Michael Dicie has created a straightforward, unflashy but beautiful arrangement of Lowry's famous 'How can I keep from singing?'. Dicie departs from his typical harmonic style of major and minor seventh chords for a more tertial setting. The variety of textures and its simplicity and accessibility make a lovely effect. The women sing the first verse; men, the second; both, a cappella for the third; and they finish together with piano.
