Jocelyn Morlock

Members of the musical community are deeply saddened by the untimely death of beloved musician and Juno Award-winning composer Jocelyn Morlock. Jocelyn was known for her compelling compositions inspired by birds and nature along with one of her most notable works My Name is Amanda Todd, which was based on the Port Coquitlam, B.C. teen Amanda Todd who took her own life in 2012. Morlock’s care and sensitivity to this story was extraordinary.

I first came to learn about Jocelyn’s music during the pandemic as I was working on my “100 Days of Listening.” At that time, I found her music to be " a plush and sensuous sonic journey.” The first youtube video that I heard of Morlock’s was “Exaudi” (excerpt ‘in Paradisum’). This performance touched me to my core. The beauty and deep clarity of musical color and texture are extraordinary.

Over the past several years, I have had the opportunity to dive deeply into her music and was so sad to not have the opportunity to speak in person with her before her passing. Here are three compositions that I think are very representative of her work though I do hope that you check out more of her compositions. She has written excellent chamber and choral works also.

My Name is Amanda Todd touches the heart from the very opening. Morlock offers the listener a visceral feeling of heart strings being pulled from the very beginning by her use of string texture. The pull is strong. As the composition unfolds, she offers moments of youth and joy with underlying tension throughout. This composition is so moving and deep on so many levels. This particular composition must be performed with the utmost care and mindfulness. It is not a difficult score and could be played by an excellent youth orchestra, but again with the utmost care.

Golden would pair great with other Baroque compositions as it is written with a Baroque string section (along with solo voice) in mind. It is a mesmerizing piece. Lots of string texture. It is lovely and would be excellent for advanced strings. It is not technically difficult, but to offer the best musical experience, the strings should be strong. It could work for an excellent high school program or above.

Ornithomancy is a really interesting work that is based off of Morlock’s take of ornithomancy, which is the practice of reading, observing, and interpreting omens from the activity and flight patterns of birds. A composition that holds my fascination solidly. The flute part is quite difficult and the orchestra parts are intricate and would need a strong orchestra. I would recommend this composition for an excellent university music program and above.  

To Jocelyn, a fabulous composer who we should not forget.

Please enjoy these works!

Anna Edwards ©