Frank La Rocca

Life

Frank La Rocca was born in 1951 in New Jersey. He studied at Yale and at the University of California at Berkeley. His early musical experiences ranged from classical piano to playing electronic keyboards in various rock and blues bands. He began composing at age 14. His teachers included Edwin Dugger, Olly Wilson, Andrew Imbrie, Jonathan Kramer, Frank Lewin and John Mauceri. He has received grants and awards from the National Endowment for the Arts and the California Arts Council, and a Young Composers Award from ASCAP.

Trained as an academic modernist during his degree studies at Yale and University of California, Berkeley, La Rocca came to see this approach as a barrier to authentic musical expression, and spent many years in search of a personal creative language.

He thinks of his (especially choral) music as a contribution to new evangelization and regards himself as an apologist for a distinctively Christian faith –not through direct persuasion, but through the beauty of music

La Rocca has been awarded several times for outstanding achievements as a professor of music California State University, East Bay.

La Rocca’s music has been performed in North America, Europe, China, Japan, Korea, Australia, New Zealand, Argentina and Uganda. Performers include the California Symphony, Oakland Symphony, Lumen Valo, soprano Christine Brandes, Strata, Artists Vocal Ensemble, Young Women's Chorus of San Francisco, Cathedral Choral Society, San Francisco Girls Chorus, Prague Radio - Choir and Orchestra, Alexander String Quartet and others . His music is published by Boosey & Hawkes, Walton Music, Santa Barbara Music Publishers and Lumen Verum Music.

He is recorded on Enharmonic Records, CRI, CRS, SCI, and ERM Media.

Frank La Rocca taught theory and composition at California State University, East Bay from 1981-2014.

Choral - Works

Anima Christi (2014) for Choir SSATBB

Tread Softly (2014) for Choir SSAATB

Ego Sum Pastor Bonus (2013) for Choir SATB

Diffusa Est Gratia (2012) SATB choir

Ave Maris Stella (2012) for Women's Choir

Nunc Dimittis (2012) for Women's Choir

O Sacrum Convivium (2011) for Choir SATB†

Iam Lucis Orto Sidere (2010) for Women's Choir

Credo (2010) for Choir SATB†

Ave Maria (2009) for Choir SATB

The Divine Image (2008) for Choir SSAATTBB

Ave Verum Corpus (2008) for Choir SATB

Alleluia (2007) for Choir SATB, Organ and Brass (ad lib.)

O Eve (2007) for Choir SATB and SSAA

Cantate Domino (2006) for Choir SATB and Orchestra (or Organ)

Sicut Cervus (2005) for Choir SATB

O Nata Lux (2005) for Choir SATB and String Orchestra

Resurrection Prelude (2005), for Choir SATB, Organ, Brass, and Timpani

Miserere (2004) for Choir SATB†

Echo (2004) for Women’s Choir

O Magnum Mysterium (2003) for Choir SATB†

Ubi Caritas (2003) for Choir SATB

O Vos Omnes (2003) for Choir SATB

Eli, Eli (2003) for Choir SATB and Organ

Magnificat (2002) for Women’s Choir

Psalm 23 (2002) for Choir SATB

Expectavi Dominum (2001) for mixed Choir†

In the Beginning (2000) for mixed Choir

Exaudi (1998) for mixed Choir

†recorded on Enharmonic CD 12-025 "IN THIS PLACE"

Liturgical Works

Missa Papae Benedicti XVI (2012) SATB choir and organ

Missa Cordi Sacro (2010) SATB choir and organ

Ego Sum Pastor Bonus (2013) for Choir SATB

In the Splendor of the Holy Ones (2013) SATB choir

Behold, a Virgin Shall Conceive (2013) SATB choir

This is the Body (2013) SATB choir

He Who Ponders the Law of the Lord (2013) SATB choir

Christ, our Passover (2013) SATB choir

Laudate Dominum (2013) SATB choir

Diffusa Est Gratia (2012) SATB choir

O Sacrum Convivium (2011) for Choir SATB

Ave Verum Corpus (2008) for Choir SATB

Sicut Cervus (2005) for Choir SATB

Miserere (2004) for Choir SATB†

O Magnum Mysterium (2003) for Choir SATB†

Chamber music

Veni Sancte Spiritus (2001) for Soprano, Clarinet, Baroque String Quartet†

In This Place (2000) for Clarinet, Violin and Piano†

†recorded on Enharmonic CD 12-025 "IN THIS PLACE"

FourPlay (1997) for String Quartet

Meditation (1991) Piano solo

Divertimento (1990) for two pianos

Secret Thoughts (1986) for Cello solo

Recorded on CRI SD 567

Canti d'Innocenza (1984) for Soprano, Clarinet, Harp and Vibraphone

Recorded on CRS 8944.

Frammenti (1983) for Piano solo

Duo Lirico (1982) for Violin and Viola

String Trio (1981) for Violin, Viola and Cello

Recorded on CRI SD 567

Fantasy for Violin and Piano (1979)

Phoenix (1976) for Clarinet, String Quartet, Piano and Percussion

Night Music (1975) for Violin and Piano

Major Vocal Works

A Rose in Winter - the life of St. Rita of Cascia (2015) for chorus, orchestra, soloists and organ, libretto by Matthew Lickona 90'

In a Dark Time (1989) for Choir SATB and Chamber Ensemble 20'

The Pure Fury (1988) for Tenor and large Chamber Ensemble 25'

Orchestra Works

Veni Sancte Spiritus (2001) for Soprano, Clarinet and String Orchestra

While Orpheus Dreamed (1998) for Orchestra

The Right Road Lost (1996) for large Orchestra

Crossing the Rubicon (1994) for Orchestra

No Strings (1993) for Symphonic Band

The Pure Fory (1989) for Tenor and Chamber Orchestra

Chen (1977) Prologue for Orchestra

Electronic Music, Film Music

Labyrinth (1977) for tape

Newsical Muse (1975) contributor to Live-Radio Theater piece by Neil B. Rolnick

Emergency (1974) Music for a Documentary Film

Krystallos (1973) Music for a Documentary Film