SKU: WD.080689882227

UPC: 080689882227.

Ginger Breadhouse, Carolyn Bells, Holly Branch, Candy Cane, Mary, and...Ned, Ted and Jed! These are a few of the names to be found among the cast of the new Simply WordKidz Christmas musical, The Christmas Cross! Created by Jeff Slaughter, with tracks produced and arranged by the team of Preston and Spencer Dalton, The Christmas Cross is a super-easy-to-learn, 27-minute musical designed to help you celebrate the season with the perfect setting for your kids choir!

In the opening scene, Miss Carolyn Bells, our children's choir director, is leading the kids through their first rehearsal for this year's Christmas Extravaganza. As they begin to share their thoughts on Christmas, the heart of the story comes to the forefront as Mary begins to tell everyone about the Christmas Cross - a very special ornament with special significance - an heirloom, handed down by her grandmother. As she explains the meaning behind the ornament...You can't have Christmas without the Cross..., this fun, lighthearted musical is beautifully and simply transformed into a powerful message about the love of God and the message of the Gospel.

Full of great new songs, in tandem with traditional carols and a humor-filled, Biblically-sound script, The Christmas Cross highlights Jeff Slaughter's signature brand of creativity. And, for the first time, he brings his unique style and infectious spirit to the Simply WordKidz Series, a fresh line of EZ-to-Sing-EZ-to-Perform musicals designed for both excellence and accessibility by the smallest of choirs, or for choirs with little rehearsal time. Bring an extra dose of Christmas cheer to your performance through the use of the production-enhancing DVD Accompaniment Track available, from WordKidz.

SKU: CF.SPS71

ISBN 9781491143544. UPC: 680160901043. Key: G minor.

Nordanvind is a tour de force symphonic rhapsody that is built on three Scandinavian folk songs. Composer Carl Strommen has composed these Viking-influenced melodies into a concert setting that brings out all of the history of the Scandinavian people. The piece is at times bold and aggressive, at other times beautiful. Carl employs all of the instrumental colors of the concert band to create a new work for more advanced ensembles.
Modern Scandinavians are descendants of the Vikings, an adventuresome people who were known for their love of the sea, their naval prowess, and as fierce fighters . The Scandinavian Vikings were warriors from Denmark, Norway, and Sweden who traded, raided and settled in various parts of Europe, Russia, the North Atlantic islands, and the northeastern coast of North America .Starting around 1850, over one million Swedes left their homeland for the United States in search of religious freedom and open farm land . Augustana College was founded in 1860 by graduates of Swedish universities and is located on the Mississippi River in Rock Island, Illinois . Home of the “Vikings,” Augustana College is the oldest Swedish- American institution of higher learning in the United States . This powerful and lively piece takes inspiration from Swedish history and from Swedish folk songs and hymns .Havsdrake (Dragon of the Sea)The Nordanvind or “North Wind” blows a cold wind during a journey of a group of courageous Viking rowers . The “Dragon-ship” or long ships designed for raiding and war was a sophisticated, fast ship able to navigate in very shallow water . To musically portray these magnificent seafaring vessels, the director is encouraged to use an Ocean Drum (or a rain stick) during the introduction . Wind players may consider blowing air through their instruments to suggest the North wind . Adding men’s voices to accompany the haunting low brass and percussive “rower” sounds can be helpful in creating the dark and ominous portrayal of Viking adventurers .Slangpolska efter Byss - KalleIn Sweden, a “polska” is a partner dance where the dancers spin each other (släng in Swedish “to sling or toss”) . Slangpolska efter Byss - Kalle is attributed to Byss-Kalle, who was a notable Swedish folk musician, specifically a nyckelharpa player . Slangpolska efter Byss - Kalle is a traditional “polska” dance song most often played on the Nyckelharpa or keyed fiddle and is commonly heard in pubs and at festive events throughout Sweden . Approximately 10,000 nyckelharpa players live in Sweden today, and the Swedish and the American Nyckelharpa Associations are dedicated to this Swedish National instrument . The director is encouraged to share video and audio examples of the nyckelharpa playing the original Slangpolska efter Byss - Kalle .Tryggare Kan Ingen Vara (Children of the Heavenly Father)Tryggare Kan Ingen Vara Is a traditional Swedish melody, possibly of German roots, and was believed to be arranged as a hymn by the Swedish hymn writer, Karolina Wilhelmina Sandell-Berg (1832–1903) . As a daughter of a Swedish Lutheran minister, she began writing poems as a teenager and is said to have written over 1,700 different texts . There are two different accounts as to the inspiration for this hymn . The first story is that Lina (as she was called) wrote the hymn to honor her father and to say thank you to him for raising her and protecting her . A second belief is of her witnessing the tragic death of her father . She and her father were on a boat, when a wave threw her father overboard . It was said that the profound effect of watching her father drown is what caused Lina to write the text to this hymn . Although this is a treasured song to people of Swedish descent everywhere, it speaks to all people about a father tending and nourishing his children, and protecting them from evil .SPS71FThe Augustana College Concert BandFounded in 1874, the Augustana Band program is one of the oldest continuously active collegiate band programs in the country . The Concert Band is one of two bands on campus and was formed more than thirty years ago . The Concert Band attracts students of every skill level and from a wide variety of majors . Students in the ensemble play a large part in choosing their music for performance, which include works from the standard repertoire, orchestral transcriptions, and the latest compositions from leading composers .Rick Jaeschke began his musical career as a clarinet player in the 1st US Army Band . He received a Bachelor of Music degree from Susquehanna University, a Masters of Music from James Madison University, and a doctorate from Columbia University in New York . He was also fortunate to study conducting with Donald Hunsburger and with Frederick Fennell .Dr . Jaeschke taught band and choir at Great Mills High School in Southern Maryland, and for fifteen years, he was the district Music Supervisor in Armonk, New York, where he taught high school concert and jazz bands, beginning band, and music technology . During that time, the music program flourished, and the high school band consistently received Gold Medals in the New York State Festivals, as well as in national, and international festivals . As a clarinet and saxophone player, Dr . Jaeschke performed in the New York metropolitan area with the Rockland Symphony Orchestra, the Putnam Symphony Orchestra, Fine Arts Symphony Orchestra, and served as the concert master for the Hudson Valley Wind Symphony .For several years, Dr . Jaeschke served as the Fine Arts Coordinator for the District 204 schools in Naperville, IL, a district selected as One of the Best 100 Schools in America for Music . Currently, Dr . Jaeschke is an Associate Professor at Augustana College where he teaches music and music education courses, and directs the Concert Band . He has served on various educational boards, is a National edTPA scorer, and has presented at state, national and international music conferences . He lives with his family in Bettendorf Iowa, and enjoys any opportunity to explore the open water in his sea kayak .

SKU: CF.B3470

ISBN 9781491159460. UPC: 680160918058.

The awardee of two Guggenheim fellowships, Julia Perry studied composition with Luigi Dallapiccola and Nadia Boulanger, and conducted her works on a tour throughout Europe with the Vienna Philharmonic and the BBC Orchestra. She would become one of the first African-American female composers to have an orchestral work performed by the New York Philharmonic. Although she had an auspicious and promising career in her early life, it was tragically cut short by a series of strokes leading to partial paralysis and eventually, her death, at age 55 in 1979.Perry’s catalog is widely varied, featuring thirteen symphonies, numerous chamber and solo works, pieces for band, choral and vocal music, and four operas. Her Violin Concerto, completed in 1968, shows the influence of Dallapiccola’s teachings: sharp harmonic dissonances organized around specific pitch centers, short repetitive patterns that establish significant musical materials, and contrapuntal textures. Her fastidious performance markings in the solo violin part indicate her profound understanding of the instrument. Angular, muscled, and sparkling by turns, this piece is a sophisticated entry to the serious violinist's concert repertoire.There is no evidence or documentation that the Violin Concerto was ever premiered or performed during her lifetime, despite the fact that the composer prepared a full score, piano reduction and orchestral parts. Regrettably, this is the case with the majority of her works composed in the final decade of her life.
What is extraordinary about Julia Perry’s musical career was the astonishing success she attained in her early years. In her youth she studied piano, voice, violin and cello. She began to compose in her teenage years, her first publication being a choral work in 1947 by Carl Fischer. Her Stabat Mater was published in 1951 and would become one of her most often performed pieces, with performances in Europe and the United States. In 1953 she was awarded a Guggenheim fellowship to study with the Italian composer Luigi Dallapiccola, first at the Berkshire Music Center in Tanglewood, later in Florence, Italy. During this time, she also pursued studies with Nadia Boulanger in Paris and was awarded a second Guggenheim fellowship. She studied conducting at this time, touring Europe in 1957 to conduct her own works with the Vienna Philharmonic and the BBC Orchestra. During her European sojourns, she learned and mastered French, German and Italian. She would become one of the first African-American female composers to have an orchestral work performed by the New York Philharmonic.Perry’s circumstances would change dramatically once she reached forty years of age, having returned permanently to the United States. At some point in the spring of 1970, she suffered the first of two strokes that would paralyze her right side and confine her to a wheelchair for the rest of her life. Nonetheless, she continued to compose and to promote her works with publishers and conductors. A second stroke contributed to her death in 1979 at age 55. She likely endured harsh ethnic and gender discrimination in the course of her career, and her later years would witness a period of extreme civil unrest. These matters and the significance of music in her life are undoubtedly what led her to say, “Music has a great role to play in establishing the brotherhood of man.”Perry’s catalog is widely varied, featuring thirteen symphonies, numerous chamber and solo works, pieces for band, choral and vocal music, and four operas. Her Violin Concerto, completed in 1968, is indicative of the influence of Dallapiccola’s teachings: sharp harmonic dissonances organized around specific pitch centers, short repetitive patterns that establish significant musical materials, and contrapuntal textures. The work is a single movement of 392 measures organized around three alternating tempos: Slow (Œ = 60), Moderate (Œ = 84) and Fast (Œ = 120). The opening thirty-measure cadenza for the solo violin introduces most of the thematic material for the piece. The orchestration commonly features antiphonal writing between orchestral groups, for example, strings alternating with brass, or strings alternating with winds. The harp and piano generally appear as solo instruments, rather than as members of the orchestra. Her fastidious performance markings in the solo violin part indicate her profound understanding of the instrument.There is no evidence or documentation that the Violin Concerto was ever premiered or performed during her lifetime, despite the fact that the composer prepared a full score, piano reduction and orchestral parts. Regrettably, this is the case with the majority of her works composed in the final decade of her life.

SKU: MN.56-0073

UPC: 688670220760. Latin.

This mass setting was commissioned by the Friends of Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford and first performed on Ascension Sunday, 1994. Suitable for both church and concert use, the music is both lyrical and dramatic. The “Gloria” is set for SATB divisi (all parts divide) in a quick and rhythmic mixed meter. The movement begins with a sort of call and response where Choir 1 states a motif and Choir 2 responds with the same motif (sometimes at a different pitch level.) A soloist begins the middle section, Piu Allegro (“Qui tollis”) and the first material returns, but in unison this time, at “Jesu Christe.” Duration 5:30.

SKU: CA.322830

ISBN 9790007158200. Key: F major. Language: German. Text: Tessen, Carin. Text: Carin Tessen.

SKU: CA.2708306

ISBN 9790007164188. Language: Latin.

Carl Friedrich Christian Fasch's Mass in 16 parts is remarkable for more than its unusual scoring. Inspired by the Italian church music style of Orazio Benevoli, it was composed in 1783 for the Berliner Sing-Akademie, and revised by Fasch several times throughout his life in order to adapt the score to the vocal capabilities of his ensemble. The composer destroyed all earlier compositions, which probably contributed to the legendary fame which this mass has enjoyed since the 19th century. The mass was, however, only published in 1839 - around four decades after Fasch's death. The present edition is based on the version contained in the first printed edition. In addition to modern music notation, extensive performance materials (two choral scores, separate organ part) facilitate the rehearsal of this challenging work. Score available separately - see item CA.2708300.

SKU: MN.56-0076

UPC: 688670220791. Latin.

This mass setting was commissioned by the Friends of Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford and first performed on Ascension Sunday, 1994. Suitable for both church and concert use, the music is both lyrical and dramatic. The “Benedictus” is for SATB divisi and begins with a short 6/8 declamation, then moves into a section where the rhythmic idea is set in a sort of off-the-beat fashion, with all parts divisi playing against each other. A unison section with the off-the-beat motif follows. A majestic “Hosanna” follows. The “Agnus Dei” is set in a rubato triple meter in a homophonic style with close chords (also divisi.) At the “miserere,” the choir 1/choir 2 call and response motif from the “Gloria” returns. That same motif continues into the “dona nobis pacem,” as the movement (and the entire Mass) ends with a long decrescendo into a quiet call, “Pacem.” Duration 7:33.