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Stephen F. Austin State University

A Score of Voices: Creating and Scoring an Original Film With A cappella Choir

Abstract

dc:description.abstract

<p>Film scores typically feature large instrumental ensembles, sometimes with choir added at pivotal moments. Rarely, however, is the choir entrusted with a greater percentage of the score, and far too scores explore the sonic potential that vocal music has to offer. In fact, in a recent study of 800 films, none contained a score that was completely c. Thus, the body of unaccompanied choral film scores is practically non-existent. This curious gap in repertoire inspired me to create the documentary <em>Downstream </em>(2023) and score it entirely with an unaccompanied choir. The full score to this new work is contained within this thesis, along with a cursory analysis and historical overview of choral music in film. Finally, as a template and test case for other composers, I provide insight and analysis into my own creative process and unique challenges and benefits afforded by vocal ensembles in film.</p>

Degree

thesis:*
Name thesis:degree_name
Master of Music
Level thesis:degree_level
Thesis
Discipline thesis:degree_discipline
School of Music
Year dc:date.available
2023

Author and committee

dc:creator, dc:contributor.*
Author dc:creator
  • Moore, Zachary James
Contributors dc:contributor
  • Dr. Stephen Lias
  • Dr. Ben Morris
  • Dr. Michael Murphy

Subjects

dc:subject × 2

Identifiers

dc:identifier.*
Repository record dc:identifier
https://scholarworks.sfasu.edu/etds/488
OAI identifier oai:identifier
oai:scholarworks.sfasu.edu:etds-1534

Chain of custody

source
Harvested from
Stephen F. Austin State University
Base URL
scholarworks.sfasu.edu/do/oai/
Last updated
2026-07-24
Source record
OAI-PMH GetRecord
citation

Moore, Zachary James. A Score of Voices: Creating and Scoring an Original Film With A cappella Choir. Thesis thesis, 2023. https://scholarworks.sfasu.edu/etds/488