Taylor Scott Davis

Composer / Orchestrator / Conductor

https://www.taylorscottdavis.com

Hailed by the Wall Street Journal as penning “dreamy vocal lines” that “overlap and intensify to stunning effect”, Taylor Scott Davis’ “inspired pen” (Opera Today) is much in demand by vocal groups and orchestras around the globe. His music has been described as “sonically luxurious”, memorable and inspiring of hope, and his belief in supporting collaboration, diversity and creating musical opportunities at all levels underpins all. From “full filmic blockbuster technicolour” to ravaging, soulful countermelodies and harmonies, Taylor’s music has a unique and timely voice.

“it’s the sumptuousness velvetiness of the textures, the propelling nature of the counterpoint, the contrasts of light and darkness, the prevailing exultancy – that really draw the listener’s attention” (Opera Today; ‘To Sing of Love: a Triptych’ for violin, choir, orchestra)

A Choral Christmas, Decca Classics’ 2023 Christmas album will be released this autumn and features the world premiere recording of Taylor’s Magnificat and five new carol arrangements performed by the VOCES8 Foundation Choir and Orchestra, Jack Liebeck and Barnaby Smith. Originally commissioned for LIVE From London Christmas 2021 the online premiere of the carols was part of a lavish choral/orchestral extravaganza narrated by Tamsin Greig and was viewed/ received acclaim in over 180 territories across the media. O come, O come Emmanuel received over a quarter of a million views/listens in under a month, and Silent Night was a close second, receiving its world premiere on Classic FM radio and online. Taylor’s Magnificat will be premiered at Carnegie Hall, New York in May 2024.

Silent Night from LIVE From London Christmas

Joy to the World from LIVE From London Christmas

Upcoming piece premieres include A Mosaic Mass - an idea created and curated by Taylor to promote multiple collaborative opportunities for composers and communities – the mass project will receive its first iteration at London’s Cadogan Hall in March 2024. Alongside Taylor, the four penning movements for Cadogan Hall’s A Mosaic Mass will be composing friends Jocelyn Hagen, Ken Burton, Jim Clements and Paul Smith, writing for 200 US students uniting under the guidance of VOCES8.

STARDUST by VOCES8

Stardust has been premiered around the world by VOCES8 and will appear on the group’s next Decca Classics release in 2024 – there is an orchestrated arrangement of the piece newly available. New work ‘To Sing of Love: a Triptych’ for violin, choir and orchestra received its online premiere in LIVE From London Summer 2023 and is planned for release in 2024. Additionally, Jubilate Deo, recent new commission from the Fort Worth Chorale for orchestra and choir was premiered and conducted by Dr. Karen Kenaston-French to a standing ovation.

Upcoming collaborations include Wind Phone with text by renowned poet Charles Anthony Silvestri, new commission for Texas Master Chorale and a new Requiem for VOCES8 as well as future projects including A Migrant’s Mass which was inspired by the image of a particularly visceral drowning in the ongoing global immigration crisis. A Migrant’s Mass includes as its Credo text, a poem from a WWII concentration camp:

“I believe in the sun even when it is not shining.
I believe in love even when I do not feel.
Credo in unum Deum, Patrem omnipotentem,
factorem cæli et terræ, visibilium omnium et invisibilium.
I believe in God even when he is silent.”

Taylor has written and arranged for groups including the Grammy-winning choir Conspirare and regularly collaborates with VOCES8 as well as chamber ensembles such as the English Chamber Orchestra and symphony orchestras around the world. He often conducts his own performances with players from top London orchestras and Fort Worth, Dallas, and Houston symphony orchestras. Taylor’s ensemble music has been performed throughout the USA, Europe, South America, and South Africa, and his gaming music has been played around the world.

Published primarily by MorningStar Music, Taylor has also been commissioned to write a series of four new Christmas Suites, edited by Bradley Ellingboe and Dr. Jennaya Robison for National Music Publishing USA. The first, Journey into Light, was premiered by the conservatory choirs at UMKC and the Topeka Symphony in December 2022 and is now available to perform.

When not writing or conducting, Taylor Scott Davis serves as the Director of Music and Worship Arts at St. Andrew Methodist Church in Plano, Texas. He is a 2003 graduate and notable alumnus of Centenary College of Louisiana. Taylor earned a Bachelor of Sacred Music degree while studying conducting with Dr. Julia Brasher Thorn, as well as intensive courses with Dr. Sandra Willets, Dr. Ann Howard Jones, Paul Oakley, Alice Parker, and Jane Marshall. He has also studied composition with Dr. Eric McIntyre, Ms. Parker, and Ms. Marshall. In 2004, he became a Fellow of Melodious Accord.

“This was a programme of the ‘old’ made ‘new’. Taylor Scott Davis’ new arrangements of six traditional carols had a dazzling Romantic sweep which the Orchestra of 50 musicians – led by Jack Liebeck and the Carducci Quartet – and 24-strong Choir relished.  Imaginative instrumentations, new chord progressions and textures, re-harmonisations and added melodic strands brought freshness to the familiar themes.” (Opera Today)

For further projects and for print, please download Taylor’s full biography.