List of Works
Many of these scores are available on the Canadian Music Centre here. For other scores and general inquiries, please contact Monica Pearce directly.
Chamber Works
rem (2023) - piano and percussion, 15', written for the SHHH!! Ensemble. Premiered at the National Arts Centre.
Salt In My Lungs (2024) - (co-composed by Justin Greene and Monica Pearce) for three or more performers (version 1 on crotales), written for the smol ensemble and premiered at the SoundNOW Festival in Atlanta.
to prepare (2020) - four players on sandpaper, 6', written for the smol ensemble. Premiered by the UTRGV Percussion Ensemble. Watch here.
travelling times (2019) - flute, piano, baritone sax, cello, 15', written for the UltraViolet Ensemble. Watch here.
processing times (2018) - piccolo, bass clarinet, piano, percussion, cello, audio playback, written for the Naked Eye Ensemble, 11'
leather (2018) - piano and percussion, 8', written for Ben Reimer, premiered by the SHH!!! Ensemble. Watch here.
velvet (2017) - marimba quartet, 10', written for the Sam Houston Percussion Ensemble. Watch here.
denim (2017) - two toy pianos and two percussionists, 8', written for Chamber Cartel, premiered by the smol ensemble.
Nightmusic (2017) - voice, bass clarinet, harp, viola, synth, 5', commissioned by Cluster Festival for Grimes: Reimagined and performed by Plumes Ensemble.
damask (2016) - toy piano and tabla, 8', written for Xenia Pestova and Shawn Mativetsky, commissioned through the Ontario Arts Council.
Listen here
chain maille (2015) - percussion quartet 8', written for Sam Houston Percussion Ensemble under the direction of John Lane.
Score here, Listen here
cognitive dissonance (2014) - violin, piano, and oxblood (amplified springs), 9', written for the Thin Edge New Music Collective.
Watch here
basement apartments (2013) - for double bass and piano, 7', commissioned by the Canadian Music Centre’s New Music for Young Musicians Project through the Norman Burgess Fund.
Score here
it plays (because it plays) (2013) - six-hand piano trio and electronics, 10', written for the junctQin keyboard collective through the Toronto Emerging Composer Award.
microexpressions (2013) - alto trombone and piano, 8', written for Dale Sorensen, with support from the Toronto Arts Council.
Score here
connotations (2013) - flute, clarinet, toy piano, violin and cello, 12', written for Ensemble Paramirabo/Toy Piano Composers.
Watch here
In the forest, glow. (2012) - bass clarinet, piano and percussion, 8', written for the Toy Piano Composers. Recorded by Musikon Concerts.
Listen here
passive aggressive - defensive - contempt - stonewalling (2012) - flute, clarinet, piano, violin and double bass, 9', written for the Toy Piano Composers.
Watch here, Score here
Girl before a Mirror (2012) - clarinet, trumpet, piano/toy piano, percussion, violin and double bass, 14', written for the Array Ensemble.
Listen here
Chess Suite (2011) - two toy pianos, 9', written for the junctQin keyboard collective.
Listen here
epilogue (2011) - electric guitar quartet, 10', written for the Toy Piano Composers.
(the journal) (2007/2009) - flute(s), clarinet, bass clarinet, piano, percussion, violin(s), viola, cello and double bass(es), 11', MMus thesis.
follow the bliss (2009) - bass clarinet, piano, double bass, and two percussionists, 9', written for Digital Prowess/Toy Piano Composers.
sweetie pie (a letter to gabriel faure) (2008) - two pianos, two toy pianos, 6', written for the Toy Piano Composers.
Operas
***Please contact Monica Pearce (under Contact) for study scores and archival video footage for these operas.***
December (2019) - one act opera; 3 sopranos, string quartet, 17', commissioned by Essential Opera through private donors and the SOCAN Foundation Work Commissioning Assistance Program. Libretto by Monica Pearce.
April (2016) - one act opera; soprano, mezzo, tenor, clarinet, violin, and piano, 17', written for the Toy Piano Composers/Bicycle Opera Project. Libretto by Monica Pearce.
Persephone (2015) - one act opera; two mezzos, tenor, piano, 15', written for New Fangled Opera. Libretto by Traix Heiden.
Listen here
Etiquette (2014/2021) - one act opera; two sopranos, mezzo, clarinet, piano, 20', commissioned by Essential Opera. Libretto by John Terauds.
Aunt Helen (2012) - opera for solo soprano and piano, 11'. Written for Maureen Batt for Opera from Scratch. Libretto by Monica Pearce/Helen Creighton.
Score here
Cake (2011) - operetta for soprano, mezzo soprano, baritone, flute and piano, 15'. Written for the Toy Piano Composers. Libretto by Monica Pearce.
Watch here
Works for Percussion
rem (2023) - piano and percussion, 15', written for the SHHH!! Ensemble. Premiered at the National Arts Center.
Salt In My Lungs (2024) - (co-composed by Justin Greene and Monica Pearce) for three or more performers (version 1 on crotales), written for the smol ensemble and premiered at the SoundNOW Festival in Atlanta.
Composition in Colour A - for voice and percussion, 7', written for the TBDuo with support from the Association of Canadian Women Composers New Initiatives Fund.
time & effort (2022) - snare drum and electronics. Commissioned by Ryan Scott with support from the Canada Council for the Arts. Premiered by Ryan Scott at 918 Bathurst.
to prepare (2020) - four players on sandpaper, 6', written for the smol ensemble. Premiered by the UTRGV Percussion Ensemble. Watch here.
leather (2018) - piano and percussion, 8', written for Ben Reimer, premiered by the SHH!!! Ensemble. Watch here.
velvet (2017) - marimba quartet, 10', written for the Sam Houston Percussion Ensemble. Watch here.
denim (2017) - two toy pianos and two percussionists, 8', written for Chamber Cartel, premiered by the smol ensemble.
damask (2016) - toy piano and tabla, 8', written for Xenia Pestova and Shawn Mativetsky, commissioned through the Ontario Arts Council.
Listen here
chain maille (2015) - percussion quartet 8', written for Sam Houston Percussion Ensemble under the direction of John Lane.
Score here, Listen here
Toy Piano Works
studies in restriction (2021) - piano and toy piano, commissioned by Kate Ledger with support from the Canada Council for the Arts.
I. study in independence 3’30” - piano
II. study in stretch 4’00” - piano
III. study in practice 3’45” - piano
IV. study in suspension 3’00” - piano and toy piano
V. study in 3-2-1 3’00” - toy piano
denim (2017) - two toy pianos and two percussionists, 8', written for Chamber Cartel (premiere 2018).
damask (2016) - toy piano and tabla, 8', written for Xenia Pestova and Shawn Mativetsky, commissioned through the Ontario Arts Council.
Listen here
Kandinsky (2016) - soprano and toy piano, 3', commissioned by the Riot Ensemble, premiered by ICE/New Music Detroit
Listen here
clangor (2013) - toy piano and bicycle bells, 6', written for the UnCaged Toy Piano Festival in NYC, premiered by Margaret Leng Tan.
Listen here
Available on the Toy Piano Composers debut album Toy Piano Composers
smart aleck (2011) - toy piano, 5', written for Pascal Meyer.
Listen here. Score here
connotations (2013) - flute, clarinet, toy piano, violin and cello, 12', written for Ensemble Paramirabo.
Watch here
the bliss of fatigue (2007/2014) - voice, toy piano and tape (single performer).
Girl before a Mirror (2012) - clarinet, trumpet, piano/toy piano, percussion, violin and double bass, 14', written for the Array Ensemble.
Listen here
Chess Suite (2011) - two toy pianos, 9', written for the junctQin keyboard collective.
Listen here
Vocal works
Composition in Colour A - for voice and percussion, 7', written for the TBDuo with support from the Association of Canadian Women Composers New Initiatives Fund.
Otter (2020) - for SSA choir, bass clarinet, percussion. Commissioned by the Elektra Women's Choir for The Lost Words: A Spell Book project (premiered 2022).
Willow (2020) - for SSA choir, flute, clarinet, violin and cello. Commissioned by the Elektra Women's Choir for The Lost Words: A Spell Book project (premiered 2022).
December (2019) - one act opera; 3 sopranos, string quartet, 17', commissioned by Essential Opera through private donors and the SOCAN Foundation Work Commissioning Assistance Program. Libretto by Monica Pearce. (premiere 2020)
The Flag (2018) - soprano and piano. Winner of the Creative Women at the end of the First World War Composition Competition. (premiere 2018).
Kandinsky (2016) - soprano and toy piano, 3', commissioned by the Riot Ensemble, premiered by ICE/New Music Detroit. Text by Wassily Kandinsky.
Listen here
Works for Regent Park Songbook (2016), commissioned by the Regent Park School of Music
- Jungle of Nerves (2016) - soprano and piano, 4'30, Score here
- I can see my future (2016) - soprano and piano, 3', Score here
- Light and darkness (2016) - baritone and piano, 2'30", Score here
April (2016) - one act opera; soprano, mezzo, tenor, clarinet, violin, and piano, 17', written for the Toy Piano Composers/Bicycle Opera Project. Libretto by Monica Pearce.
Persephone (2015) - one act opera; two mezzos, tenor, piano, 15', written for New Fangled Opera. Libretto by Traix Heiden.
Listen here
Leda Songs - song cycle (2015) - mezzo, clarinet, violin, viola, cello, 15', commissioned by the Talisker Players. Poetry by Rilke, Lawrence, H.D.
Listen here
Etiquette (2014) - one act opera, two sopranos, mezzo, clarinet, piano, 20', commissioned by Essential Opera. Libretto by John Terauds.
I'll tell you how (2012) - SSA choir, flute and piano, 4'. Poetry by Emily Dickinson.
Aunt Helen (2012) - opera for solo soprano and piano, 11'. Written for Maureen Batt for Opera from Scratch. Libretto by Monica Pearce/Helen Creighton.
Score here
You Know Me (2012) - SSA choir and chamber orchestra. Poetry by Gwendolyn MacEwen.
Listen here
Cake (2011) - operetta for soprano, mezzo soprano, baritone, flute and piano, 15'. Written for the Toy Piano Composers. Libretto by Monica Pearce.
Watch here
Emily Songs (2010) - soprano and piano, 10'. Poetry by Emily Dickinson.
The Opening Number (2010) - two sopranos and piano. Lyrics by Monica Pearce.
Welcome to Laura’s (2010) - mezzo-soprano, baritone, piano and 2 actors, written for the Toy Piano Composers. Libretto by Monica Pearce.
Three songs on an anonymous poet (2005) - baritone and piano.
Solo Works
time & effort (2022) - tenor snare drum and electronics. Commissioned by Ryan Scott with support from the Canada Council for the Arts. Premiered by Ryan Scott at 918 Bathurst.
studies in restriction (2021) - piano and toy piano, commissioned by Kate Ledger with support from the Canada Council for the Arts.
I. study in independence 3’30” - piano
II. study in stretch 4’00” - piano
III. study in practice 3’45” - piano
IV. study in suspension 3’00” - piano and toy piano
V. study in 3-2-1 3’00” - toy piano
now, more than ever (2020) - bass clarinet, clarinet and looper pedal, commissioned by the NakedEye Ensemble.
silks (2019) - solo piano, 10', written for Cheryl Duvall, commissioned by the Canada Council for the Arts.
toile de jouy (2018) - solo harpsichord, 8', written for Wesley Shen, commissioned by the Canada Council for the Arts. Watch here.
The Music is Not the End (2017) - solo piano, 1', written for Barbara Pritchard and dedicated to Michael Parker.
houndstooth (2016) - solo piano, 8', written for and dedicated to Barbara Pritchard. Presented by Musikon Concerts.
Listen here
clangor (2013) - toy piano and bicycle bells, 6', written for the UnCaged Toy Piano Festival in NYC, premiered by Margaret Leng Tan.
Listen here
detach (2016) - harp, 7', commissioned by Angela Schwarzkopf through the American Harp Society. Presented by Caution Tape Collective.
Watch here
attach (2014) - harp, 7', written for Angela Schwarzkopf for the Toy Piano Composers.
Listen here
smart aleck (2011) - toy piano, 5', written for Pascal Meyer.
Listen here. Score here
fulcrum (2005) - piano, 8'.
Wit (2005) - trombone, 3'.
Works for Young Musicians
Works for Regent Park Songbook (2016), commissioned by the Regent Park School of Music
- Jungle of Nerves (2016) - soprano and piano, 4'30, Score here
- I can see my future (2016) - soprano and piano, 3', Score here
- Light and darkness (2016) - baritone and piano, 2'30", Score here
basement apartments (2013) - for double bass and piano, 7', commissioned by the Canadian Music Centre’s New Music for Young Musicians Project through the Norman Burgess Fund.
Score here
Let them Howl (2017) - for wind band (grade 1.5), 3'. Commissioned by Agnes MacPhail Elementary School under the direction of Charles Glasspool.
Score here
vivid (2014) - for wind band (grade 1.5), 3'. Commissioned by the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board (Canada) in partnership with the University of Ottawa. Premiered by the Hawthorne Public School Junior Band, Ottawa, Ontario, with Stephanie Buttemer, Music Director.
Listen here. Score here
Large Ensemble works
whirly (2017) - for percussion quartet and orchestra, 4'. Commissioned by the TorQ Percussion Quartet through the Ontario Arts Council. Premiere in 2018.
Let them Howl (2017) - for wind band (grade 1.5), 3'. Commissioned by Agnes MacPhail Elementary School under the direction of Charles Glasspool.
Score here
vivid (2014) - for wind band (grade 1.5), 3'. Commissioned by the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board (Canada) in partnership with the University of Ottawa. Premiered by the Hawthorne Public School Junior Band, Ottawa, Ontario, with Stephanie Buttemer, Music Director.
Listen here. Score here
Masquerade (2010) - toy piano and orchestra, 10'. Written for the Sneak Peek Orchestra/Toy Piano Composers.
Electroacoustic works
time & effort (2022) - snare drum and electronics. Commissioned by Ryan Scott with support from the Canada Council for the Arts. Premiered by Ryan Scott at 918 Bathurst.
now, more than ever (2020) - bass clarinet, clarinet and looper pedal, commissioned by the NakedEye Ensemble.
divertimento (2014) - iPhones, amplified music box and electronics, 10', commissioned by the University of Scranton under the direction of Anthony T. Marasco.
Sounds of Sackville (2014) - soundscape, 10', written for the O.K. Quoi?! festival in Sackville, New Brunswick.
Listen here
cognitive dissonance (2014) - violin, piano, and oxblood (amplified springs), 9', written for the Thin Edge New Music Collective.
Watch here
trampled, static, bloom (2007) - acoustic guitar, electric guitar and tape, 8', written for the Canadian Contemporary Music Workshop, performed by Rob MacDonald.
the bliss of fatigue (2007/2014)- voice, toy piano and tape (single performer).
imaginary moments (2006) - piano and tape.
Textile Fantasies
toile de jouy (2018) - solo harpsichord, 8', written for Wesley Shen, commissioned by the Canada Council for the Arts. Watch here.
leather (2018) - piano and percussion, 8', written for Ben Reimer, premiered by the SHH!!! Ensemble. Watch here.
chain maille (2015) - percussion quartet 8', written for Sam Houston Percussion Ensemble under the direction of John Lane.
Score here, Listen here
velvet (2017) - marimba quartet, 10', written for the Sam Houston Percussion Ensemble. Watch here.
silks (2019) - solo piano, 10', written for Cheryl Duvall, commissioned by the Canada Council for the Arts. Watch here.
houndstooth (2016) - solo piano, 8', written for and dedicated to Barbara Pritchard. Presented by Musikon Concerts.
Listen here
denim (2017) - two toy pianos and two percussionists, 8', written for Chamber Cartel, premiered by the smol ensemble.
damask (2016) - toy piano and tabla, 8', written for Xenia Pestova and Shawn Mativetsky, commissioned through the Ontario Arts Council.
Listen here
