Academy
of Music
Dr. Mark Hornbaker, Director
308 Buchanan St.
Charleston WV 25302
Compositions
Welcome to my world of music composition! I, Dr. Mark Hornbaker, specialize in crafting compelling pieces that span Dramatic, Choral, and Instrumental styles. My goal is to evoke emotions and tell stories through music. If you're looking to bring a distinctive sound to your project—be it for a film, concert, or personal endeavor—I'd love to hear from you and explore the possibilities together!
Dramatic Compositions
Dramatic works are music compositions that tell a story. A musical, an opera, and a ballet are dramatic works with characters and a plot.
I have placed two completed works here. The first, Triumph, is an oratorio. This is usually an unstaged theater work. The story is the drama that unfolds around the crucifixion and resurrection.
Warlock Concert is a chamber opera. This is the story of a warlock who has lost his powers. It has many movements for the chorus. Thus, I label it as a chamber opera. Staging is more limited. The chorus often fills in the gaps to tell the story between character dialogue.
Check out the promo video of the Warlock Concert live in Charleston -
here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vUR-xNtQ3TU
Triumph is a large work for vocal soloists, chorus and instruments. The work opens with an overture with bagpipes and trumpets.
Choral compositions
A choral composition is a piece of music written specifically for a group of singers, a choir.
These compositions can be performed a cappella (without instruments) or accompanied by piano, organ, or orchestra. Choral works often feature multiple vocal parts—such as soprano, alto, tenor, and bass—that harmonize to create rich, layered textures.
The style and purpose of choral compositions vary widely, ranging from sacred music like masses and motets to secular works such as madrigals or contemporary choral songs. Composers use dynamics, rhythm and text setting to express emotion and meaning, making choral music one of the most powerful forms of collective human expression in the musical arts.
I wrote
- The Thanks giving Athems
- Five Psalms
Instromental composing
A composer paints with sound — giving each instrument its own voice, its own breath. Melody and harmony intertwine like colors on a canvas, forming a living landscape of emotion where every note carries part of the story.
Instrumental composing is the art of creating music for instruments rather than voices. It involves writing melodies, harmonies, and rhythms that express ideas and emotions purely through sound. Composers carefully choose instruments for their unique tones and ranges, crafting pieces that might feature a solo instrument, a small ensemble, or a full orchestra. Without lyrics, instrumental compositions rely on musical elements like dynamics, tempo, and texture to tell a story or evoke a mood, allowing listeners to interpret the music in their own way.
I wrote:
Seneca
Here are five recent movements (9/20) of my first string quartet. The movements are short and sweet. There is a great deal of word painting.
Athens: Symphonic Poem in Five Mini-Movements
Parthenon by James Gates Percival THIS rock was once the seat of pomp and power.
