Abstract
The Muse in Arms is a multi-movement work for mixed chorus, soprano and baritone soloists, flute, clarinet, bassoon, trumpet, French horn, percussion, harp, piano, and strings. It was written in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the D.M.A. degree in choral conducting at the University of Miami. It combines the experience and knowledge gained in the Choral Studies Program with those gained while working with the Department of Music Theory and Composition. The doctoral essay includes a description of the creative origins of the project as well analysis of the composition process. The title of the work was taken from a 1917 World War One poetry collection compiled by E. B. Osborn. The work is divided into five movements whose texts come from the following English soldier-poets of the First World War: Siegfried Sassoon, Joseph Lee, Wilfred Owen, and Francis Ledwidge. With the exception of Sassoon, each of these men was killed in action.