Compositions by Will Sherwood, ChM, AAGO

Pastorale on Greensleeves/What Child Is This (2024) - 4 mins - A heartwarming setting of the beloved old English carol that features soaring countermelodies with rich harmonizations.
Flexible instrumentation & performance interpretations. (Optional What Child lyrics are by 19th C. hymnist Wm. Dix (1837-1898) )

• MP3
• Pastorale on Greensleeves Full Score (no lyrics) (contains additional program notes, and performance/instrumentation options)
• What Child Full Score with lyrics (same composition, but with choral/vocal staves added)
• Parts
• MUSX Source

ORCHESTRATION

2 Flutes
2 Oboes (w/ solo)
English Horn (optional substitute for Oboe phrases)
2 Clarinets in Bb (w/ solo) (parts in A available)
2 Bassoons (w/ solo)
2 Horns in F (w/ solo) (Horns could be omitted if really needed, but beautiful countermelody)
Harp or synthesizer (or optional)
Organ (optional - score on request)
Violins I & II divisi
Viola divisi
Violoncellos divisi
Double Bass (extension optional)

Winter Festival for Orchestra (2024) - 4 mins - A dazzling Respighi-like fanfare heralds the main O Tannenbaum theme, making a compelling December concert opener or joyous encore. It has a tender center section featuring oboe, bassoon, flute, and a bravura climatic ending.  Optional/flexible instrumentation.

• MP3
• Full Score (contains additional program notes, and performance/instrumetation options)
• Parts
• MUSX Source

ORCHESTRATION

2 Flutes (w/ solo)
2 Oboes (w/ solo) (or substitute English Horn solo, part on request)
2 Clarinets in Bb
2 Bassoons (w/ solo)
2 Horns in F
2 Trumpets in C
2 Trombones
Tuba (optional)
Timpani (4)
Percussion: Mark Tree, Suspended Cymbal, Piatti, Chimes -- All flexible/optional
Harp or synthesizer (or optional)
Piano or keyboard (or optional)
Organ (or synthesizer: flute stops preferred, not “church organ” patch)
- or optional: cue notes in strings and brass to substitute
Violins I & II divisi
Viola divisi
Violoncellos divisi
Double Bass (extension optional)

MORE COMPOSITIONS

Career Highlights – Will Sherwood, ChM, AAGO

• Emeritus:  Principal Organist, Mechanics Hall, Worcester;    Director of Music, First Unitarian, Worcester
• Artistic Director for Court Hill Music Festival; Mechanics Hall Summer Music Festival
• Guest Artist with Boston Pops (Poulenc Organ Concerto); Organist for Christmas Boston Pops (39 perf.)
• 2023 Master Mechanics award for volunteering impact & leadership at Mechanics Hall, Worcester
• Music director for community musicals and chorus/orchestras
• Two engineering patents; many technical publications including conference papers and published books
• Major contributions to the American Guild of Organists (Worc chapter dean, and many positions with conventions and workshops)
• Pipe Organ building and maintenance
• Accomplished graphic designer, software engineer, and professional photographer

A native of Tennessee, Mr. Sherwood received his BSEE and MSEE from CMU in 1975, and had a successful 30-year engineering career at Digital Equipment Corp (DEC; later bought by Intel) as a Sr. Engineering manager in VLSI microprocessor design. 

Equally important in his life was music: organist for his first church service at age 8, he continued as organist and director, culminating with his 37-year tenure at First Unitarian, Worcester.

In retirement, he continues his musical endeavors in the area of composition and arranging.