B.E. Boykin

02/20/2021

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In response to the tragic death of George Floyd, Georgia Tech’s own B.E. Boykin has composed original music for a new opera titled “Art is a Verb”. The piece is organized into five sections and features four vocalists: Karen Slack (soprano), Andy Acosta (tenor), Sidney Outlaw (baritone), and Andy Wilkowske (baritone). Each singer has chosen a song to perform along with the original music composed by Boykin. “Art is a Verb” debuts on Saturday, February 27th as part of the 2021 MN Opera Virtual Benefit. It is free to the public with a pre-show event at 6:30pm followed by the main program at 7pm. Join us and register here [mnopera.org/virtual-benefit](http://mnopera.org/virtual-benefit).

Minnesota Opera

02/12/2021

The Story Behind the Creation of Art is a Verb

✨✨“Art is a Verb highlights the ways in which art like opera can drive change forward, with a particular focus on the effects the murder of George Floyd has had on the Black community and the need for equitable change around the country.”
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Featuring original music composed by yours truly...so grateful for this amazing collaboration with these phenomenal artists. Please mark your calendars! ✨✨

This brand-new opera demonstrates art’s profound capability to propel meaningful change.

02/03/2021

First box is empty! 🙌🏽✨

✨✨A special message about Moments in Sonder for you all! Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU!✨✨
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For those still wanting to purchase an edition, please email me directly at [email protected] ✨✨

01/09/2021

✨Settle into your purpose✨

My closing thought in today’s panel discussion. As artists/conductors/educators/composers/etc., we have a unique position to use our gifts and talents to assist with a healing process that our country desperately needs. Thank you to the phenomenal panelists for an amazing conversation this afternoon. And of course, I’m extremely grateful to mirabai for the invitation to participate in their 2021 Women’s Leadership Retreat

01/07/2021

“To sleep and dream without fear...is justice this far away?”

(Excerpt from “Stardust” - Commissioned by the Pershing Middle School Treble Chorale Houston ISD under the direction of Marcus J. Jauregui for their 2021 Texas Music Educators Association Convention Performance)
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My heart is still full from yesterday’s zoom session, hearing these words sung. In the midst of yesterday’s chaos at the US Capitol, I was gifted a beautiful moment with these amazing singers. I’m grateful to have woken up this morning, disappointed by yesterday’s events in DC but not dismayed. While the path forward for our country may not be easy, I’m committed to doing my part because our children deserve that and so much more.

Thank you to Marcus, Britny and the Pershing Middle School Treble Choir for inviting me on this beautiful journey. Wishing you all the best in your TMEA performance 💕✨

12/18/2020

Dormi Jesu

Christmas is almost here and today, I'm excited to share a virtual choir performance of "Dormi Jesu" performed by LAUDE. I invite you to join them for their Christmas Eve service by going to the First Congregational Church of LA link - fccla.org/live at 8:00 and 11:00PM PDT for a wonderful evening of music - many thanks to Dr. David Harris (Music Director) and LAUDE for this beautiful performance. Wishing you all a wonderful and safe holiday season

12/16/2020

Three Maya Angelou Songs (Boykin/Angelou)

What’s in the collection? Here are 3 out of the 14 songs from the song cycle - Tears, Greyday and Sounds Like Pearls performed by Lenora Green-Turner. Thank you again to everyone for your support! Please email [email protected] for purchasing details! ✨✨✨ https://youtu.be/75bXA77blGw

Music: Brittney Elizabeth Boykin (B.E. Boykin)Text: Maya AngelouSongs: "Tears," "Greyday" & "Sounds like pearls"Performers:Lenora Green-Turner, sopranoBrittn...

12/15/2020

✨✨I’m excited to share that Moments in Sonder is finally here!! This has truly been a labor of love - I can’t truly express how grateful I am to be able to share this edition with you all. The song cycle encompasses 14 of Maya Angelou's short poems, setting them in a wide range of the soprano voice accompanied by piano. I've decided to do a small production run to gage interest, so be sure to grab yours as soon as possible! Feel free to email me at [email protected] for more details - as always, I’m extremely grateful for all of your love and support! ✨✨

12/15/2020

✨✨✨ Today’s the day! Exciting news will be posted today around noon - thank you all! ✨✨✨

12/14/2020

10/26/2020

Unified Prayer Virtual Choir - a commission of the ACDA, Georgia Chapter

✨✨Saturday was the world premiere of “A Unified Prayer” - thank you again to the GA-ACDA leadership, as well as the singers, for making this happen! Wishing you all peace, hope and love on this beautiful Monday ✨✨

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May Peace follow you, quiet your heart
May Hope follow you, be your light
May Love follow you, hold you in its hand
Until we meet again.
Amen
(B.E. Boykin)

https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v%3DkqnDi9N_S6g&source=gmail-imap&ust=1604317280000000&usg=AOvVaw08WaxWuSVa2b6YjfAyohGt

Text and Music by B.E. Boykin Dr. Gary Packwood, conductor - Mississippi State University Video by Daniel Solberg, DSol Productions

10/14/2020

Extremely excited - happening tonight!

TONIGHT join us for the final installment of our FYWCS Web Series featuring outstanding composer and conductor Brittney Boykin! Zoom access is available in our program - link in bio/about section. Hope you can join us for our final symposium event!

10/06/2020

✨So excited to share that I was commissioned to write a piece for this year’s GA-ACDA 2020 Fall Conference - “A Unified Prayer.” The piece is very dear to me and is also my first attempt in writing original lyrics. I’m looking forward to sharing more about that process during the conference, which will be headlined by Dr. Gary Packwood! Thank you to Dr. Paul Neal, Dr. Timothy Powell, Kendrick Kirkland and the rest of the GA-ACDA leadership for this wonderful opportunity. If you’re able, please join us! Register here -> https://www.gaacda.org/2020-convention ✨

09/15/2020

Thomas Hampson

✨So excited about this! Happening today at 1pm in the Global Concert Hall! Please see the post below for more information - I hope you’ll be able to join us!✨

The Hampsong Foundation takes over Thomas Hampson's World of Song series during September, presenting riveting conversations with scriptwriters and scholars from the foundation's Song of America and Song: Mirror of the World projects.
In this episode, Thomas and Christie Finn, Managing Director of The Hampsong Foundation, will chat with composers Lori Laitman and B.E. Boykin. The episode will centre on Women's Creativity, using the Song of America program "There is No Gender in Music" as the starting point. Together, they will also discuss their work as musicians and composers today, especially as composers of vocal music and song.
▶️ https://idag.io/Hampsong_E

07/10/2020

Consolámini

Since March, the world has drastically changed. The lives we once had that were filled with normalcy feel like a distant, fleeting memory. And if I can be honest, this new reality has brought more fears than reassurances, more sadness than joy and more questions than answers. But today, and recently, I’ve found solace in composing - that’s where I feel closest to God. The fears turn into reassurances, the sadness to joy and the questions are met with a peace that quiets my heart for a brief moment, shielding me for the rest of the day. During these tumultuous times, I want to encourage comfort and peace. This morning God placed this advent text on my heart as a gentle reminder. So I share it with you again…God is still with us. Wishing you love, peace and comfort - B.E. 🦋
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Comfort ye, comfort ye my people;
my salvation shall not tarry:
why wilt thou waste away in sadness?
why hath sorrow seized thee?
Fear not, for I will save thee:
For I am the Lord thy God,
the Holy One of Israel, thy Redeemer…

Consolámini, consolámini, pópule méus:
cito véniet sálus túa:
quare mæróre consúmeris,
quia innovávit te dólor?
Salvábo te, nóli timére,
égo enim sum Dóminus Déus túus,
Sánctus Israël, Redémptor túus.

https://youtu.be/_Lz4QkiS7fo

Performed by the Spelman and Morehouse Glee Clubs; directed by Dr. Kevin Johnson

04/14/2020

Hope to see you there!

04/08/2020

Last night, I had the privilege to chat with these brilliant young minds about being a composer. Thank you to Bonny Morris Tynch and the Strathmore Children's Chorus for uplifting my spirits 💜

02/26/2020

✨✨✨Excited and humbled to be included in the 2020 Arizona ACDA Winter Publication, “Antiphon.” Thank you, Donte Ford, for your amazing reviews on “O Magnum” and “Consolámini” - your words are moving and I’m extremely grateful ✨✨✨

02/22/2020

Happening today! Hope to see you there!

AMP is pleased to announce "Music of the African Diaspora" a month-long concert series. Join us this February for seven free concerts! For details...https://www.atlantamusicproject.org/atlanta-music-project-announces-month-long-concert-series-showcasing-the-music-of-the-african-diaspora/

12/06/2019

🎄Starting tonight 🎄

12/02/2019

Softly - Lawrence University Concert Choir - 10.11.19

✨✨✨Excited to share footage of the premiere of “Softly” - a setting of Audre Lorde’s poem for SATB. Thank you again to Dr. Stephen Sieck and the Lawrence University Choir for a stunning performance! I can’t wait to hear your thoughts - happy listening✨✨✨

https://youtu.be/z3O7DJjAJes

"Softly" by B.E. Boykin Lawrence University Concert Choir Stephen Sieck, conductor Friday, October 11, 2019 Appleton, Wisconsin, U.S.A.

11/22/2019

💜Last night was our first official concert together and I couldn’t be happier or more proud! Congratulations on a phenomenal performance, Scotties! 💜

11/19/2019

Here are a few glimpses from a phenomenal and music-filled weekend.

On Saturday, I was able to witness Spelman College Glee Club, triumph Mahler’s Eighth Symphony with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Morehouse College Glee Club. I’m always amazed by the beauty and grace that emanates from SCGC and this performance was truly historical.

On Sunday, I had the extreme honor of having “Life,” a commissioned piece for SATB and strings, premiered at Spivey Hall. The work was commissioned by Clayton State University as they enter a year of celebrating the school’s 50th anniversary. I’m excited to say that it is my first piece for choir and strings, setting a beautiful poem by Charlotte Bronte. Thank you again Drs. Sean Vogt and Richard Bell for a wonderful performance!

Another part from the weekend that tugs at my heart strings the most are the words of affirmation that came from those who I did not know, yet who could’ve been family, who also heard my piece at Spivey Hall. It seemed like it was on repeat with every hug and every smile that was coming from every angle as we congregated in the foyer after the concert - “We are so proud of you.”

And my parents, being who they are, showed their love with flowers in their absence.

What a beautiful and inspiring weekend indeed. #Grateful

-B.E. 🦋

11/10/2019

This afternoon! ✨

11/07/2019

✨Premiere Alert✨ Extremely excited and humbled that “Life” will be performed at the incomparable, Spivey Hall by the Clayton State University Chorale and Orchestra! This piece was comissioned in celebration of the college’s 50th anniversary. It is a setting of the Charlotte Bronte poem for SATB choir and strings. Today, I was able to hear the piece for the first time! 😭🙌🏽 I’m extremely grateful for the hard work of the students and to Drs. Sean Vogt and Richard Bell for their artistic leadership. As always, I’m amazed by God’s unwavering love ✨✨✨

10/24/2019

Treble Choir Concert

✨ Fall concert was epic. So proud of you GT Treble Choir - keep shining ✨|🔗Concert link - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OkVbhLqy2Qo&feature=youtu.be

'Fall In Love' with Georgia Tech Treble choir

10/22/2019

✨Happening tonight ✨

10/04/2019

Tonight’s the night! Hope to see you there 💛

10/02/2019

This Friday, Treble Choir is participating in a joint concert at Georgia Tech! Hope to see you there! 💛💛💛

09/16/2019

This past weekend, I had the privilege of presenting and participating in the Black Composers Culture panel as part of the 2019 Conference - Reflecting on the Past...Reaching Toward the Future, II with four amazing composers: Regina Baiocchi, Carlos Simon, Andre Myers and Chad Hughes. The weekend also included other wonderful panel discussions and performances of African American music. I’m extremely grateful to have had such a wonderful opportunity to meet and talk with so many brilliant and beautiful people! - B.E. 🦋

08/15/2019

I’m currently in the process of updating and adding music to Klavia Press. This includes art songs, a sacred piece for TTBB (that hasn’t been premiered yet!) and a few other works. As exciting as this is, it will require some time. Thank you for your patience and as always, I’m looking forward to sharing more music with you - B.E. 🦋

08/03/2019

B.E. Boykin's cover photo

08/03/2019

Secret (2019 Mirror Visions Ensemble Commission)

Excited to share footage of “Secret,” a commissioned work for the Mirror Visions Ensemble for their 2019 program, "This Land Is Ours." The piece is an art song, setting a beautiful poem by the Harlem Renaissance poet, Gwendolyn Bennett. I'm in awe of the artistry that Abi and Grant brought to the piece. Many thanks to Richard Lalli and the entire MVE family for the invitation to participate this year. I can't wait to hear your thoughts! Happy listening ❤

Abigail Levis - mezzo-soprano
Grant Wenaus - piano

Secret - Gwendolyn Bennett (1902-1981)

I shall make a song like you hair . . .
Gold-woven with shadows green-tinged,
And I shall play with my song
As my fingers might play with your hair.
Deep in my heart
I shall play with my song of you,
Gently. . . .
I shall laugh
At its sensitive lustre . . .
I shall wrap my song in a blanket,
Blue like your eyes are blue
With tiny shots of silver.
I shall wrap it caressingly,
Tenderly. . . .
I shall sing a lullaby
To the song I have made
Of your hair and eyes . . .
And you will never know
That deep in my heart
I shelter a song for you
Secretly. . . .

05/30/2019

*Premiere Coming Soon!* So excited about the opportunity to set a beautiful poem by Ishmael Angaluuk Hope AND to work with the phenomenal artists of UMF. Please follow The Uncommon Music Festival for more details on the upcoming premiere performance in Alaska! - B.E.

The most exciting #womancomposerwednesday is when we get to announce our 2019 commission from B.E. Boykin! 🎉 We're so excited to perform *Storyteller* with text by Ishmael Angaluuk Hope at Harrigan Centennial Hall-Sitka this summer. Stay tuned and like the page for more on the piece, Brittney, and Ishmael 😊 #uncommonmusicfest #commission #newmusic #wcw

05/05/2019

Sad that I couldn’t attend this one but wishing all of the performers well! Happening tonight!