Four Motets is a collection of short SATB choral works with a spiritual theme designed for either church or concert setting. 1. O! Maooya (ca. 2'20") Is both the invented name and complete text. It was originally composed in four versions for QIQI, a large-scale work for orchestra, choir, soloists and dancer, commissioned and premiered by Teatro de Ciertos Habitantes and Orquesta Filarmónica de la Ciudad de México in 2020. This new version begins with the theme in unison, which is subsequently harmonised. 2. just a prayer (ca. 3') no clouds, just rain no pain, just joy no but, just or no war, just peace no branch, just tree no them, just we no far, just near no fear, just hope no words, just sounds no bounds, just go no lock, just key no walls, just free no low, just high no why, just is no waves, just sea no me, just us no blame, just bless no no, just yes Despite the nineteen no’s the text is a celebration of an ideal and how our choice of words might shape it. 3. Et Lux In Tenebris Lucet (ca. 2'45") The phrase acts as both title and full text. It is from the Latin translation of the Gospel of St. John and translates as “The Light shines in the darkness”. I first read it in Viktor Frankl’s book, Man’s Search for Meaning, first published in Germany in 1946. Reflecting on one of the darkest events of the human history, the phrase acts as a beacon to all those in despair. The phrase is repeated many times by the choir in complex textures, sung in unison only at the end. 4. Kissing Song (ca. 2'15") The text is my invention, created for its sound rather than its meaning. Musically it reflects on many anthems I sung as a boy in a choir. It is designed as a theatrical vehicle for the choir in celebration of kissing. me-mm. o arajhi me-mm awi meyo ruwu me-mm arajhi o arajhi ame niwonu me-mm arajhi