Some Reviews
of a June 2016 commission: "The text is rich and poetic, and the message is fresh and timely. . . . I can already imagine how incredibly powerful it will be when we perform it. Bill has written a melody with such longing and passion. It is tuneful, expressive, and memorable. . . . It incorprates the [piano and organ] with distinct . . . parts.
It shows off the women's voices; it shows off the men's voices, and it finishes with a soaring descant that will certainly have us all tingly-skinned and fighting back a lump in our throats!" --Dr. Stephen J. Mulder, Director of Music and Worship Arts. First United Methodist Church, Griffin GA.
of WE SING THE PRAISE OF HIM WHO DIED: "Well-done arrangement for two parts with a center section in four-part harmony that may be sung a cappella or accompanied. This is well within the capabilities of even a small church choir without boring more experienced singers. It also introduces a lovely hymn tune, WINDHAM, which may not be familiar to some people. It wouId be a very effective anthem during Lent or Holy Week." --Christine Iverson, The Verse (newsletter of The Hymn Society), September 2014
of WE SING THE PRAISE OF HIM WHO DIED: "Pasch's arrangement of the hymn tune WINDHAM (attributed to the American composer Daniel Read) would make a good addition to the repertoire of the small church choir. The piece is set mainly for unison choir, with an optional SATB setting provided for the third stanza. A descant on the last stanza adds further interest. Suitable for Lent/Good Friday." --Ann Edahl, CrossAccent (Association of Lutheran Church Musicians), Spring 2014
of STAR IN THE EAST: "This sturdy Southern Harmony tune is one which benefits from a simple, straightforward setting, and the frequent unison and two-part writing and open harmonizations in this arrangement serve it well. The first stanza, set for unison women, is followed by a second for two-part men's voices, adding SA voices for the second half. The third and final stanza opens with unison men's voices and varies subsequent phrases with a variety of voicings. A simple, optional handbell/chime part utilizing four bells is included." --Benjamin C. Brody, The Verse (newsletter of The Hymn Society), suuplement to August 2014 issue
of STAR IN THE EAST: "Using the hymn tune STAR IN THE EAST from Southern Harmony, 1854, this sturdy rendition features a cappella choir and just four handbells. Beginning in unison and building to a strong finale, it is suitable as a choral processional during December or Epiphany seasons with your ensemble."
--J. W. Pepper featured review of "Adult Christmas Anthems for the Church Choir" Fall 2014
of STAR IN THE EAST: "This is a great anthem based on the familiar Appalachian carol and is easily learned in the short time between Christmas and Epiphany in early January. It has a descant using 'Let All Mortal Flesh.' If you can utilize the optional handbell, chime part, it makes this easy anthem sound even more interesting." -- Robert P. Anderson, Director of Music, James Street UMC, Syracuse NY (reviewed in Worship Arts, July-August 2015, p. 36.)
of STAR IN THE EAST: "We were blessed to be able to record your wonderful setting of Star in the East. I think it strikes a perfect balance of the character of the Southern Harmony style and the American choral tradition. Keep up the wonderful work." --Dr. Daniel Cole, Music Director, First Presbyterian Church, Columbia SC.
of WHEN INVITED TO THE FEAST: descriptive review in The Diapason, April 2013
of BAPTIZED IN JORDAN: "Jesus's baptism is one of the major manifestations that has been associated with Epiphany. Here, the text uses a combination of Martin Luther and an African-American spiritual. There is a swinging rhythmic character that is introduced by the basses; that then becomes a foundation for the otjer voices when they enter separately. There [is] . . . a vocal solo above a choral background, which adds character to the five verses of the anthem." The Diapason, November 2010
". . . a fascinating synthesis of an American folk hymn and a hymn text of Martin Luther's." Bulletin note, 5 January 2012, First Presbyterian Church, Bristol, TN.
of MIRACLE IN MYSTERY (a J.W. Pepper Editors' Choice): "This setting would make a wonderful addition to a Christmas Eve service." -- Dr. James McCray (review in The Diapason, June 2016).
of MIRACLE IN MYSTERY: "This elegant new setting will be a welcome addition to the repertoire of the season, and all will enjoy singling, playing, and hearing the lilting music in 3/2 time." --James Gladstone (review in CrossAccent, Summer 2016)
of SATAN, DOWN!: "This African-American spiritual . . . drive[s] the music with its mixture of syncopated phrases contrasted with a straight jazz line. . . . The ending has a choral glissando and "sfp-crescendo" that give the piece a very exciting finish. This work will excite everyone and start the new [fall choir-season] year with great enthusiasm." -- Dr. James McCray (review in The Diapason, July 2016).