I incorporate styles of the Black diaspora like jazz, gospel, and rhythm and blues into my music. I’m a product of all those things, just as much as I am a product of Beethoven.
— Damien Geter
Click links below to listen to audio and learn more about Damien’s work.
CHORAL
The Talk: Instructions for Black Children When They Interact with the Police, for SATB
Commissioned by Resonance Ensemble
Gentle Lady, Do Not Sing for SATB, and english horn
Commissioned by The Choral Scholars of University College Dublin
1619: A Song Cycle for SATB, piano, and percussion, and narrator
Cantata for a More Hopeful Tomorrow for SATB, and cello
Commissioned by The Washington Chorus
After Time has Gnawed Away the Shield of Dreams for SATB, piano, and flute
Commissioned by Resonance Ensemble
The Gift to Sing for SATB
The Path For soprano and baritone soloists, SATB, and piano
Libretto by Jerre Dye
Commissioned by Seattle Opera and the US Army Field Band
Weave In My Hardy Life For SATB (a capella)
Text by Walt Whitman
Commissioned by Emmanuel Church, Boston
SYMPHONIC
Chiaroscuro Commissioned by the Chicago Symphony
An African American Requiem For orchestra, SATB choir, and SATB quartet
Commissioned by Resonance Ensemble
The Justice Symphony For orchestra, SATB choir
Commissioned by The University of Michigan, and The Washington Chorus
Sinfonia Americana for orchestra
Commissioned by and premiering with the Richmond Symphony. Premiere January 2024
CHAMBER
String Quartet No. 1, Neo-Soul
Buh-roke for string orchestra and harpsichord
I Said What I Said for woodwind quintet
Groove Etude in Rondo Form For viola and harpsichord
Commissioned by Bryon Schenkman & Friends
VOCAL
Annunciation For tenor, harp, and strings
Invisible For baritone, piano, and muted trumpet, based on the opening prologue of Ralph Ellison's Invisible Man
Immortal Dove for baritone and piano, based on the hymn “Descend from Heaven Immortal Dove”
Commissioned by On Site Opera
Give Me Jesus for high or medium voice and piano
The Bronze Legacy for low/medium voice, flute, piano, bass, and percussion.
Commissioned by The Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Cotton A song cycle
Commissioned by Lyric Fest
OPERA
American Apollo - A chamber opera
Librettist - Lila Palmer
Commissioned by Washington National Opera
American Apollo - Full version coming in 2024.
Commissioned by Des Moines Metro Opera.
Holy Ground
Librettist - Lila Palmer
Commissioned by The Glimmerglass Festival
Loving Vs. Virginia - coming 2025
Librettist - Jessica Murphy Moo
Commissioned by Virginia Opera and The Richmond Symphony
Jubilee - coming 2026
Librettist - Lorene Cary
Commissioned by Portland Opera
ORGAN
Elegy (For the Mysterious Starling) for tenor or soprano and organ
Commissioned by The American Guild of Organists