SKU: CF.CM9616

ISBN 9781491156711. UPC: 680160915255. 6.875 x 10.5 inches. Key: C major. English. Thomas Troeger.

This SSAA work, originally written for SATB voices celebrates the tenth anniversary of the Masterworks Community Chorale in Newnan, Georgia. The inspirational text is Somewhere I Have Never Traveled, a text by the Yale Theologian, Thomas Troeger. Somewhere I Have Never Traveled has potential for building tone and creating a panorama of colors, while at the same time creating emotional soundscapes, all through a delightful text that creates a dreamlike innocence.
It has been a joy to re-voice this original SATB composition for SSAA voices and to collaborate with Heather Orr at Montgomery High School. In July 2014, my dear friend Kathy Bizarth commissioned me to compose a new work celebrating the tenth anniversary of the Masterworks Community Chorale in Newnan, Georgia. It was in September when we agreed on the inspirational text, Somewhere I Have Never Traveled, a text by the Yale Theologian, Thomas Troeger. I moved to Italy in January for a sabbatical, and in February, I spent four days composing the piece at the Palazzo Bassi Brugnatelli, a dear friend's villa in Robbiate, Italy. Interestingly enough, the middle part of the piece (mm. 30-39) and end of the piece came first (mm. 40-62). Completed in Conegliano in late February, this composition is very special to me as it was the first composition I wrote after my mother died, and it was also composed for a dear friend. I have a profound connection to what I hope will be a deeply inspirational composition to those who sing it. Somewhere I Have Never Traveled has real potential for building tone and creating a panorama of colors, while at the same time creating emotional soundscapes, all through a delightful text that creates a dreamlike innocence. Somewhere I have never traveled is the place I want to be... (Me too.).
It has been a joy to re-voice this original SATB composition for SSAA voices and to collaborate with Heather Orr at Montgomery High School. In July 2014, my dear friend Kathy Bizarth commissioned me to compose a new work celebrating the tenth anniversary of the Masterworks Community Chorale in Newnan, Georgia. It was in September when we agreed on the inspirational text, Somewhere I Have Never Traveled, a text by the Yale Theologian, Thomas Troeger. I moved to Italy in January for a sabbatical, and in February, I spent four days composing the piece at the Palazzo Bassi Brugnatelli, a dear friend’s villa in Robbiate, Italy. Interestingly enough, the middle part of the piece (mm. 30-39) and end of the piece came first (mm. 40-62). Completed in Conegliano in late February, this composition is very special to me as it was the first composition I wrote after my mother died, and it was also composed for a dear friend. I have a profound connection to what I hope will be a deeply inspirational composition to those who sing it.Somewhere I Have Never Traveled has real potential for building tone and creating a panorama of colors, while at the same time creating emotional soundscapes, all through a delightful text that creates a dreamlike innocence.Somewhere I have never traveled is the place I want to be... (Me too.).

SKU: CF.CM9588

ISBN 9781491154106. UPC: 680160912605. 6.875 x 10.5 inches. Key: Eb major. Latin. Traditional Latin.

Tomas Luis de Victoria (15481611) is widely considered the greatest Spanish Renaissance composer and one of the most influential musicians of his time. Included in his oeuvre are two settings of the Pange lingua, both produced in 1581. This motet is excerpted from the first of those and incorporates the original Roman melody, or cantus firmus. (He composed his second Pange lingua based on a Spanish melody.) The baritones anchor the motet by singing the tune in augmentation. This line should be intoned with a flowing, legato articulation that incorporates subtle phrasing and text stresses. The more rhythmic tenor and bass lines complement the melody and illustrate the hopeful nature of its text. Singing this piece with two pulses per measure will encourage a steady and vital performance. Composers provided minimal performance details in their scores during this period in music history, so I added a time signature, bar lines, dynamics, and metronome markings in order to facilitate performances that musicologists believe mimic those of Victorias time. It should be noted that dynamics are largely subjective, so performers may make alternative choices. Each tenuto indicates word stress; the most musical performances will incorporate gentle crescendos and decrescendos before and after each of them. Lastly, using minimal vibrato, especially at cadences, will imbue this wonderful motet with style and clarity. PRONUNCIATION GUIDE Victoria received much of his training in Italy, therefore making Italianate Latin most appropriate. Pure vowels are critical to correct pronunciation, and those phonemes remain constant without exceptions. The most problematic of the vowels is o, which sounds similar to the English words bought and got. The letter t should be produced dentally: lift the tongue to the top of the mouth as in English, but aspirate less on the release. All occurrences of s should be soft and never hardened to [z], such as in praise. Verbum caro, panem verum, [v??bum k??? p?n?m v?rum] verbo carnem efficit: fitque sanguis Christi merum. [v??b? k??n?m ??fit?it fitkw? s??gwis k?isti m??um] Et si sensus deficit, ad firmandum cor sin cerum. [?t si s?nsus ?d?fit?it, ?d fi??m?ndum k?? sin t???um] Jeb Mueller.
TomA!s Luis de Victoria (1548a1611) is widely considered the greatest Spanish Renaissance composer and one of the most influential musicians of his time. Included in his oeuvre are two settings of the Pange lingua, both produced in 1581. This motet is excerpted from the first of those and incorporates the original Roman melody, or cantus firmus. (He composed his second Pange lingua based on a Spanish melody.) The baritones anchor the motet by singing the tune in augmentation. This line should be intoned with a flowing, legato articulation that incorporates subtle phrasing and text stresses. The more rhythmic tenor and bass lines complement the melody and illustrate the hopeful nature of its text. Singing this piece with two pulses per measure will encourage a steady and vital performance. Composers provided minimal performance details in their scores during this period in music history, so I added a time signature, bar lines, dynamics, and metronome markings in order to facilitate performances that musicologists believe mimic those of Victoriaas time. It should be noted that dynamics are largely subjective, so performers may make alternative choices. Each tenuto indicates word stress; the most musical performances will incorporate gentle crescendos and decrescendos before and after each of them. Lastly, using minimal vibrato, especially at cadences, will imbue this wonderful motet with style and clarity. PRONUNCIATION GUIDE Victoria received much of his training in Italy, therefore making Italianate Latin most appropriate. Pure vowels are critical to correct pronunciation, and those phonemes remain constant without exceptions. The most problematic of the vowels is ao,a which sounds similar to the English words bought and got. The letter ata should be produced dentally: lift the tongue to the top of the mouth as in English, but aspirate less on the release. All occurrences of asa should be soft and never hardened to [z], such as in praise. Verbum caro, panem verum, [vEE 3/4 bum kEE 3/4 E pEnEm vErum] verbo carnem efficit: fitque sanguis Christi merum. [vEE 3/4 bE kEE 3/4 nEm EEfitEit fitkwE sEAgwis kE 3/4 isti mEE 3/4 um] Et si sensus deficit, ad firmandum cor sin cerum. [Et si sEnsus EdEfitEit, Ed fiE 3/4 EmEndum kEE 3/4 sin tEEE 3/4 um] Jeb Mueller.
Tomas Luis de Victoria (1548-1611) is widely considered the greatest Spanish Renaissance composer and one of the most influential musicians of his time. Included in his oeuvre are two settings of the Pange lingua, both produced in 1581. This motet is excerpted from the first of those and incorporates the original Roman melody, or cantus firmus. (He composed his second Pange lingua based on a Spanish melody.) The baritones anchor the motet by singing the tune in augmentation. This line should be intoned with a flowing, legato articulation that incorporates subtle phrasing and text stresses. The more rhythmic tenor and bass lines complement the melody and illustrate the hopeful nature of its text. Singing this piece with two pulses per measure will encourage a steady and vital performance. Composers provided minimal performance details in their scores during this period in music history, so I added a time signature, bar lines, dynamics, and metronome markings in order to facilitate performances that musicologists believe mimic those of Victoria's time. It should be noted that dynamics are largely subjective, so performers may make alternative choices. Each tenuto indicates word stress; the most musical performances will incorporate gentle crescendos and decrescendos before and after each of them. Lastly, using minimal vibrato, especially at cadences, will imbue this wonderful motet with style and clarity. PRONUNCIATION GUIDE Victoria received much of his training in Italy, therefore making Italianate Latin most appropriate. Pure vowels are critical to correct pronunciation, and those phonemes remain constant without exceptions. The most problematic of the vowels is o, which sounds similar to the English words bought and got. The letter t should be produced dentally: lift the tongue to the top of the mouth as in English, but aspirate less on the release. All occurrences of s should be soft and never hardened to [z], such as in praise. Verbum caro, panem verum, [verbum karo panem verum] verbo carnem efficit: fitque sanguis Christi merum. [verbo karnem 'efitSit fitkwe saNGgwis kristi merum] Et si sensus deficit, ad firmandum cor sin cerum. [et si sensus 'defitSit, ad fir'mandum kor sin tSerum] Jeb Mueller.
Tomas Luis de Victoria (1548-1611) is widely considered the greatest Spanish Renaissance composer and one of the most influential musicians of his time. Included in his oeuvre are two settings of the Pange lingua, both produced in 1581. This motet is excerpted from the first of those and incorporates the original Roman melody, or cantus firmus. (He composed his second Pange lingua based on a Spanish melody.) The baritones anchor the motet by singing the tune in augmentation. This line should be intoned with a flowing, legato articulation that incorporates subtle phrasing and text stresses. The more rhythmic tenor and bass lines complement the melody and illustrate the hopeful nature of its text. Singing this piece with two pulses per measure will encourage a steady and vital performance. Composers provided minimal performance details in their scores during this period in music history, so I added a time signature, bar lines, dynamics, and metronome markings in order to facilitate performances that musicologists believe mimic those of Victoria's time. It should be noted that dynamics are largely subjective, so performers may make alternative choices. Each tenuto indicates word stress; the most musical performances will incorporate gentle crescendos and decrescendos before and after each of them. Lastly, using minimal vibrato, especially at cadences, will imbue this wonderful motet with style and clarity. PRONUNCIATION GUIDE Victoria received much of his training in Italy, therefore making Italianate Latin most appropriate. Pure vowels are critical to correct pronunciation, and those phonemes remain constant without exceptions. The most problematic of the vowels is o, which sounds similar to the English words bought and got. The letter t should be produced dentally: lift the tongue to the top of the mouth as in English, but aspirate less on the release. All occurrences of s should be soft and never hardened to [z], such as in praise. Verbum caro, panem verum, [verbum karo panem verum] verbo carnem efficit: fitque sanguis Christi merum. [verbo karnem 'efitSit fitkwe saNGgwis kristi merum] Et si sensus deficit, ad firmandum cor sin cerum. [et si sensus 'defitSit, ad fir'mandum kor sin tSerum] Jeb Mueller.
Tomas Luis de Victoria (1548-1611) is widely considered the greatest Spanish Renaissance composer and one of the most influential musicians of his time. Included in his oeuvre are two settings of the Pange lingua, both produced in 1581. This motet is excerpted from Pange lingua more hisapano. The baritones anchor the motet by singing the tune in augmentation. This line should be intoned with a flowing, legato articulation that incorporates subtle phrasing and text stresses. The more rhythmic tenor and bass lines complement the melody and illustrate the hopeful nature of its text. Singing this piece with two pulses per measure will encourage a steady and vital performance. Composers provided minimal performance details in their scores during this period in music history, so I added a time signature, bar lines, dynamics, and metronome markings in order to facilitate performances that musicologists believe mimic those of Victoria's time. It should be noted that dynamics are largely subjective, so performers may make alternative choices. Each tenuto indicates word stress; the most musical performances will incorporate gentle crescendos and decrescendos before and after each of them. Lastly, using minimal vibrato, especially at cadences, will imbue this wonderful motet with style and clarity. PRONUNCIATION GUIDE Victoria received much of his training in Italy, therefore making Italianate Latin most appropriate. Pure vowels are critical to correct pronunciation, and those phonemes remain constant without exceptions. The most problematic of the vowels is o, which sounds similar to the English words bought and got. The letter t should be produced dentally: lift the tongue to the top of the mouth as in English, but aspirate less on the release. All occurrences of s should be soft and never hardened to [z], such as in praise. Verbum caro, panem verum, [verbum karo panem verum] verbo carnem efficit: fitque sanguis Christi merum. [verbo karnem 'efitSit fitkwe saNGgwis kristi merum] Et si sensus deficit, ad firmandum cor sin cerum. [et si sensus 'defitSit, ad fir'mandum kor sin tSerum] Jeb Mueller.
Tomás Luis de Victoria (1548–1611) is widely considered the greatest Spanish Renaissance composer and one of the most influential musicians of his time. Included in his oeuvre are two settings of the Pange lingua, both produced in 1581. This motet is excerpted from Pange lingua more hisapano.The baritones anchor the motet by singing the tune in augmentation. This line should be intoned with a flowing, legato articulation that incorporates subtle phrasing and text stresses. The more rhythmic tenor and bass lines complement the melody and illustrate the hopeful nature of its text. Singing this piece with two pulses per measure will encourage a steady and vital performance.Composers provided minimal performance details in their scores during this period in music history, so I added a time signature, bar lines, dynamics, and metronome markings in order to facilitate performances that musicologists believe mimic those of Victoria’s time. It should be noted that dynamics are largely subjective, so performers may make alternative choices. Each tenuto indicates word stress; the most musical performances will incorporate gentle crescendos and decrescendos before and after each of them. Lastly, using minimal vibrato, especially at cadences, will imbue this wonderful motet with style and clarity.PRONUNCIATION GUIDEVictoria received much of his training in Italy, therefore making Italianate Latin most appropriate. Pure vowels are critical to correct pronunciation, and those phonemes remain constant without exceptions. The most problematic of the vowels is “o,” which sounds similar to the English words bought and got. The letter “t” should be produced dentally: lift the tongue to the top of the mouth as in English, but aspirate less on the release. All occurrences of “s” should be soft and never hardened to [z], such as in praise.Verbum caro, panem verum,[vɛɾbum kɑɾɔ pɑnɛm vɛrum]verbo carnem efficit: fitque sanguis Christi merum.[vɛɾbɔ kɑɾnɛm ˈɛfitʃit fitkwɛ sɑŋgwis kɾisti mɛɾum]Et si sensus deficit, ad firmandum cor sin cerum.[ɛt si sɛnsus ˈdɛfitʃit, ɑd fiɾˈmɑndum kɔɾ sin tʃɛɾum]Jeb Mueller.

SKU: CN.S11158

A powerful work. An opening fanfare leads directly to an Allegro risoluto, which exudes determination and forthrightness. The second movement follows without a break and is a continuous plaint in which the melody seems forever seeking resolution like a troubled soul searching for respite. Only in the closing bars does peace seem to take over. The final movement, marked Allegro non troppo, starts with a cheering fanfare that leads to a bright and breezy romp, with a rustic feel about it. When the fanfare reappears we are suddenly immersed in exaltations of joy that really give a feeling of optimism as we proceed to the end of the piece via a short Coda.

With this Symphony, Gordon Jacob proclaims his absolute mastery of idiom and instrumentation with a triumphant rejoicing. Written in 1978 as a commission from Arthur Doyle (hence the AD in the title, a typical piece of Jacob wit), it lay virtually unplayed save for the efforts of his Estate, Troy Peterson and Geoffrey Brand and CBDNA (College Band Directors Association, USA), who between them ensured that it was professionally recorded in 1994 and published in 1995. There is little point in indulging in semantics as to whether the piece is a Symphony. It is Jacob's approach to his tuneful, folk-based material which is symphonic: weighty in exposition and development, sonorous and expressive in the slow movement, with a scherzo-like last movement and a giocoso coda. After a brilliant opening fanfare, the quick triple-meter first theme (Allegro Risoluto) is introduced on clarinets, punctuated with brass. It is soon followed by a contrasting melody for saxophone. In all this material the interval of a 4th is prominent, and throughout the work the 4th and 7th are important. Perhaps it is the frequent use of the 7th which gives a feeling of restlessness without resolution which pervades this movement as the themes are dissected and developed. The second movement follows directly after a horn bridge. Still the melody outlines the 7th and the ear is not satisfied until the full band (with organ), comes to rest in Bb major. This point of repose and the magic pianissimo which follows shortly after when the slow theme is re-stated, are the apex of the Symphony's construction. Soon, however, we are transported, via a fanfare, into a helter-skelter 9/8 romp: rustic, English, and almost vulgar, this theme is thrown around the group before exploding into a boisterous 2/4 coda.

SKU: PR.110418370

ISBN 9781491135075. UPC: 680160686247.

Composed as an organ solo by the 17-year-old Ives for his own performance purposes, the beloved Variations on America is a treat for any occasion, whether a holiday concert, a serious recital, or other special event. Danny Holt’s transcription for Piano, Four Hands adds a dazzling new option to play at home or on stage, taking best advantage of Ives’ tremendous contrasts in color, dynamics, and texture.
Composed when Charles Ives was a teenager, Variations on “America” is both a convenient introduction to Ives’ body of work, and an early example of his iconoclastic musical voice and creative genius. Just a few years after composing this piece, Ives would leave home to study music at Yale. But until then he had been taught by his father, George (who had been a bandmaster in the Civil War). George subjected the young Ives to experiments such as singing a song in one key while being accompanied in another, or arranging for two marching bands to converge on a town center, with the resulting cacophony that ensued.The Variations exemplifies an early period of experimentation in Ives’ work, spurred on by the unusual pedagogy of his father. The piece is particularly notable for its use of bitonality in the two interludes, subtly foreshadowing more well-known examples by Stravinsky, Bartók, and others by approximately two decades.The bitonal interludes were so ahead of their time, in fact, they were omitted from the first copy that was submitted to a publisher in 1892. (Alas, the piece was rejected even despite these “shocking” elements having been left out, and it wasn’t published until more than five decades later.) There is some ambiguity about when exactly Ives added the interludes into his manuscript copy, though ample evidence suggests he had performed the piece with the interludes around the time he notated the piece in 1891-92. In any case, in light of this piece and his other polytonal explorations from the last decade of the 19th century, it seems fair to give Ives credit for being a pioneer in this area!This arrangement for Piano, Four Hands, closely follows Ives’ original version for organ, setting aside William Schuman’s popular adaptation for symphony orchestra and William Rhoads’ band transcription of the Schuman orchestration. Pianists will find that the piece translates well to the instrument. Ideally, the choreography and logistics of elbow-to-elbow four-hands playing approximates the wild joy one gets from watching an organist play the piece (e.g., the elaborate pedal part in the final variation).In preparing this publication, attention was paid to details in the dual Critical Editions (Presser 443-41003) of both Ives’ manuscript edition and the 1949 publication edited by organist E. Power Biggs (who is credited with discovering what had been a long-lost, forgotten work.) But as with much of Ives’ output, attempting to create a true ‘urtext’ score is a futile endeavor, and especially with a piece such as this one – in which Ives incorporated improvisation in live performance – seems unnecessary anyhow. True die-hards are of course encouraged to consult the critical editions and even find inspiration in the orchestrated version. Generally, performers are advised to be wild, have fun, and not to be too rigid in their interpretive choices.Dynamics in this arrangement mostly follow the organ score closely. Pianists will use good judgment about pedaling throughout, which should be straightforward and intuitive. Courtesy accidentals have been provided frequently – without parentheses – balancing the need for extra clarity in the context of Ives’ murky musical language, and a desire to avoid unnecessary clutter.A few notes that might inform interpretive decisions:mm. 15-16: There are inconsistencies here between Ives’ original manuscript and the 1949 Biggs edition, regarding the top voice in m. 15, beat 3 (C# vs. Cn) and m. 16 (D Major vs. D Minor).mm. 76-84 & 143-146: In both Interludes, Ives emphatically notates extreme dynamic contrast, in order to highlight the bitonality. Although it may seem counterintuitive (or even a misprint, as has apparently been misconstrued by some), performers are urged to follow the composer’s marking!m. 109: Two-note slurs have been added here for clarity and consistency with other similar passages, though they do not appear in either the original manuscript or Biggs.m. 112: The last two eighth notes of Primo appear as 16ths in the original manuscript.mm. 183-186: The original manuscript has a slightly different bass line.mm. 184 & 186: Primo gestures have been re-written to be slightly more idiomatic for Piano, Four Hands.m. 186: The breath mark at the end of this bar does not appear in either the manuscript or Biggs, but is an editorial suggestion – aside from being appropriately dramatic, it will indeed be necessary in a reverberant hall!I would like to thank Steven Vanhauwaert, the other half of my piano duo, 4handsLA, for his input on early drafts of this arrangement.— Danny Holt, April 2022.

SKU: CF.YPS200

ISBN 9781491152201. UPC: 680160909704. Key: D minor.

Step right up, ladies and gentleman, boys and girls, step right up! See the exotic, the strange, and the magical at the Cirque de L’étrange, or “Circus of the Strange.” This piece evokes a bygone era when circuses and carnivals provided people from all walks of life a chance to see human and animal oddities. Cirque de L'étrange is an original concert march written in standard march form, but its sound is anything but standard. This piece is playable by younger groups and is a great way to expose students to the march form and style without sounding like your typical march.
Step right up ladies and gentleman, boys and girls, step right up! See the exotic, the strange, and the magical at the Cirque de L’étrange. Welcome to the Cirque de L’étrange, known in English as the “Circus of the Strange.” This piece evokes a time of a bygone era, a time when circuses and carnivals provided people from all walks of life a chance to see human and animal oddities that were sources of both delight and horror. While many of these sideshow attractions were deemed fraudulent, it did not deter the crowds from flocking to be shocked and awed. I have always held a special place in my heart for the showmanship of carnivals, because my grandfather dearly loved them. For much of his life, he worked at fairs and carnivals selling cotton candy and candy apples. A large portion of my days when growing up were spent running around fairgrounds and helping my grandfather with his stand. He imparted in me a love for the cunning, magic, and sheer joy that only carnivals and circuses can bring. In Cirque de L’étrange, I sought to capture the the mirthful, yet uncanny mood of the carnivals that I grew up exploring, thus transporting you to a different time.Cirque de L'étrange is an original concert march written in standard march form, but its sound is anything but standard. This piece is playable by younger groups, as it is a great way to expose students to the march form and style while not sounding like your typical march.Opening in D minor, the piece combines the playful feel of a march and a macabre tango. The second time through the First Strain (mm. 5-23), the upper woodwinds and bells add a second counter melody based in D harmonic minor, which heightens the peculiar nature of the piece. The Second Strain (mm. 24-43) by contrast, is a little more upbeat, thus evoking the magical ebullience of a circus, which is further highlighted by the xylophone part. The Second Strain ends in the key of F major and sets up the transition to the Trio in the key of G minor. The Trio (m. 44) begins with the G harmonic minor melody in the clarinets and a counter melody in the bassoon and tenor saxophone. The rest of the woodwinds and bells join in at m. 60 while the percussion adds a Gypsy-like feel with tambourine and triangle. At m. 76 the full band joins in the macabre parade with the trombones and baritones harmonizing the counter melody. The conclusion of the march has the upper woodwinds, adding a second counter melody complete with trills to bring the march to an exciting and dramatic finish.As the World’s Greatest Showman, P.T. Barnum, a man my grandfather greatly admired, once said “The noblest art is that of making others happy.” It is my hope that through this piece you will experience the thrill, delight, and fright that only carnivals can bring as you visit the Circus of the Strange!

SKU: CF.CM9585

ISBN 9781491154076. UPC: 680160912575. 6.875 x 10.5 inches. Key: G major. English. Original.

Good friends see the best in us. They tend to downplay our faults while applauding our strengths. In short, they encourage us to be the best we can be, maybe even a little more. The text of Paint Me was born out of the desire to be that person my best friend thinks I am. To Mary Jo, my sister and best friend. May I really be that person you see and love. In setting the text of Paint Me to music, I tried to let the cadence of the words dictate the rhythm of the music. Use rubato, word stress and syllabic stress to enhance this. Remember, no two eighth notes are alike, so dont be afraid to let the interior part of a phrase move along, while relaxing the beginning and ending. I would recommend a straight tone as opposed to vibrato for the held notes, since the accompaniment plays around with other harmonies while choral chords are being held. Diction is so important in this song. You have a great opportunity to paint the words, as well as making every idea understood. Enjoy adding the color and shading to make this piece of art your own.
Good friends see the best in us. They tend to downplay our faults while applauding our strengths. In short, they encourage us to be the best we can be, maybe even a little more. The text of Paint MeA was born out of the desire to be that person my best friend thinks I am. To Mary Jo, my sister and best friend. May I really be that person you see and love. In setting the text of Paint Me to music, I tried to let the cadence of the words dictate the rhythm of the music. Use rubato, word stress and syllabic stress to enhance this. Remember, no two eighth notes are alike, so donat be afraid to let the interior part of a phrase move along, while relaxing the beginning and ending. I would recommend a straight tone as opposed to vibrato for the held notes, since the accompaniment plays around with other harmonies while choral chords are being held. Diction is so important in this song. You have a great opportunity to apainta the words, as well as making every idea understood. Enjoy adding the color and shading to make this piece of art your own.
Good friends see the best in us. They tend to downplay our faults while applauding our strengths. In short, they encourage us to be the best we can be, maybe even a little more. The text of Paint Me was born out of the desire to be that person my best friend thinks I am. To Mary Jo, my sister and best friend. May I really be that person you see and love. In setting the text of Paint Me to music, I tried to let the cadence of the words dictate the rhythm of the music. Use rubato, word stress and syllabic stress to enhance this. Remember, no two eighth notes are alike, so don't be afraid to let the interior part of a phrase move along, while relaxing the beginning and ending. I would recommend a straight tone as opposed to vibrato for the held notes, since the accompaniment plays around with other harmonies while choral chords are being held. Diction is so important in this song. You have a great opportunity to paint the words, as well as making every idea understood. Enjoy adding the color and shading to make this piece of art your own.
Good friends see the best in us. They tend to downplay our faults while applauding our strengths. In short, they encourage us to be the best we can be, maybe even a little more. The text of Paint Me was born out of the desire to be that person my best friend thinks I am. To Mary Jo, my sister and best friend. May I really be that person you see and love. In setting the text of Paint Me to music, I tried to let the cadence of the words dictate the rhythm of the music. Use rubato, word stress and syllabic stress to enhance this. Remember, no two eighth notes are alike, so don't be afraid to let the interior part of a phrase move along, while relaxing the beginning and ending. I would recommend a straight tone as opposed to vibrato for the held notes, since the accompaniment plays around with other harmonies while choral chords are being held. Diction is so important in this song. You have a great opportunity to paint the words, as well as making every idea understood. Enjoy adding the color and shading to make this piece of art your own.
Good friends see the best in us. They tend to downplay our faults while applauding our strengths. In short, they encourage us to be the best we can be, maybe even a little more. The text of Paint Me was born out of the desire to be that person my best friend thinks I am.To Mary Jo, my sister and best friend. May I really be that person you see and love.In setting the text of Paint Me to music, I tried to let the cadence of the words dictate the rhythm of the music. Use rubato, word stress and syllabic stress to enhance this. Remember, no two eighth notes are alike, so don’t be afraid to let the interior part of a phrase move along, while relaxing the beginning and ending. I would recommend a straight tone as opposed to vibrato for the held notes, since the accompaniment plays around with other harmonies while choral chords are being held. Diction is so important in this song. You have a great opportunity to “paint” the words, as well as making every idea understood.Enjoy adding the color and shading to make this piece of art your own.

SKU: CF.PO192

ISBN 9781491157350. UPC: 680160915910. Key: Bb major.

Program note: Christmas Fugue, like the charming English folk tune on which it is based, is full of the spirit and fun that is Christmas. After a slow shimmering introduction which imparts an impression of Christmas morning, the fugue subject is abruptly introduced. The fugue subject: We Wish You a Merry Christmas. The work develops through a series of playful musical episodes which afford satisfying opportunities for the various sections of the orchestra. The fugue culminates in a combination of motifs which find the brass heralding the unmistakable arrival of Christmas. The Composer: Dr. Robert Bennett Brown has devoted much of his professional teaching career to musical compositions and arrangements for young orchestral enthusiasts. Christmas Fugue, like other of Dr. Drown's published works, was written in and for the actual teaching situation. At the present time, Robert Bennett Brown is District Supervisor of Music for the Levittown, N.Y. Public Schools. Previously, for some nineteen years, he taught in Bronxville, N.Y. where, as Chairman of Music, he brought about an extremely high level of school orchestral achievement. he was educated at New York University and Teachers College, Columbia University. He has served as a field supervisor of student teaching for New York University and as a general music consultant. For the past two years he has been a member of the New York State Music Regents Committee. To the Conductor: You will find this work to be the conductor's dream. Parts are easy but impressive sounding. The total effect will give your orchestra that typical classical sound so satisfying to performer and listener alike. Full or exact instrumentation is not a must; cross-cues will carry critical areas where a specified instrument may be lacking. Piano, tuba, and saxophone parts are written to accommodate those players where they exist. These parts are not essential to the instrumentation. Though Christmas Fugue is well suited to the interests of high school orchestra pursuits, its grade of difficulty is easily handled by any junior high school group of average ability.  .
Program note:Christmas Fugue, like the charming English folk tune on which it is based, is full of the spirit and fun that is Christmas. After a slow shimmering introduction which imparts an impression of Christmas morning, the fugue subject is abruptly introduced. The fugue subject: We Wish You a Merry Christmas. The work develops through a series of playful musical episodes which afford satisfying opportunities for the various sections of the orchestra. The fugue culminates in a combination of motifs which find the brass heralding the unmistakable arrival of Christmas.The Composer:Dr. Robert Bennett Brown has devoted much of his professional teaching career to musical compositions and arrangements for young orchestral enthusiasts. Christmas Fugue, like other of Dr. Drown's published works, was written in and for the actual teaching situation.At the present time, Robert Bennett Brown is District Supervisor of Music for the Levittown, N.Y. Public Schools. Previously, for some nineteen years, he taught in Bronxville, N.Y. where, as Chairman of Music, he brought about an extremely high level of school orchestral achievement. he was educated at New York University and Teachers College, Columbia University. He has served as a field supervisor of student teaching for New York University and as a general music consultant. For the past two years he has been a member of the New York State Music Regents Committee.To the Conductor:You will find this work to be the conductor's dream. Parts are easy but impressive sounding. The total effect will give your orchestra that typical classical sound so satisfying to performer and listener alike. Full or exact instrumentation is not a must; cross-cues will carry critical areas where a specified instrument may be lacking. Piano, tuba, and saxophone parts are written to accommodate those players where they exist. These parts are not essential to the instrumentation. Though Christmas Fugue is well suited to the interests of high school orchestra pursuits, its grade of difficulty is easily handled by any junior high school group of average ability. .

SKU: CF.CM9713

ISBN 9781491160084. UPC: 680160918683. Key: G major. English. Robert Bode. Original.

The piece was commissioned by Kevin Scully, Director of Creative Arts, for the Port Washington School District, New York, with special thanks to the Ed Foundation and HEARTS for their unwavering support. Performance Notes This lighthearted piece is a great way to bring multiple choirs together in harmony. It may be sung by a single SATB choir, though it is intended to be performed by multiple choirs of varying age levels. Song of the Sound was written for an all-district feeder festival piece for combined elementary, middle level, and high school choirs. Here is a suggested outline for combining multiple choirs: Rehearsal Letters A to B: Elementary choir only (two-part, Soprano, Alto) Rehearsal Letter B: add Middle Level Soprano, Alto with Elementary choir Rehearsal Letter C: Middle Level choir only Rehearsal Letter D: High School choir only Rehearsal Letter E to the end: Everyone! Song of the Sound: Running on the beach, digging in the sand, Seaweed in my toes, bucket in my hand. When I'm at the shore, way above the rest, These are all the things that I love the best. Skipping like a stone on the water, diving deep in the silvery foam, Swimming far where the land cannot hold us, where the lighthouse calls us home. Flying free above the marshes, soaring high above the sea, Where the tern and cormorant and plover call to lands we cannot see.Come let us go to the water, let us go to the singing shore: Where the gentle breezes whisper and the mighty breakers roar. We will look to the shining ocean, to the East, where the new day dawned: We will sing a song of the edge of the world and the waiting sky beyond. -Poem by Robert Bode (Hope Springs Retreat Center, Ohio. August 2019) About the Composer: Jacob Narverud (b. 1986) is an American composer, arranger, and conductor. Dr. Narverud is an active guest Conductor/Clinician for Choral Festivals and All-State Choirs across the country and is the Founder/Artistic Director of the Tallgrass Chamber Choir, a professional ensemble comprised of musicians from across the Great Plains. As a sought-after composer, Narverud has been commissioned to write new works for a variety of choral ensembles and organizations. Many of his Editors' Choirs compositions are publisher Best Sellers and are performed worldwide by choirs of all levels. Website: www.jnarverud.com YouTube & Spotify: @jacobnarverud.
The piece was commissioned by Kevin Scully, Director of Creative Arts, for the Port Washington School District, New York, with special thanks to the Ed Foundation and HEARTS for their unwavering support.Performance NotesThis lighthearted piece is a great way to bring multiple choirs together in harmony. It may be sung by a single SATB choir, though it is intended to be performed by multiple choirs of varying age levels. Song of the Sound was written for an all-district feeder festival piece for combined elementary, middle level, and high school choirs. Here is a suggested outline for combining multiple choirs:Rehearsal Letters A to B: Elementary choir only (two-part, Soprano, Alto)Rehearsal Letter B: add Middle Level Soprano, Alto with Elementary choirRehearsal Letter C: Middle Level choir onlyRehearsal Letter D: High School choir onlyRehearsal Letter E to the end: Everyone!Song of the Sound:Running on the beach, digging in the sand,Seaweed in my toes, bucket in my hand.When I'm at the shore, way above the rest,These are all the things that I love the best. Skipping like a stone on the water, diving deep in the silvery foam,Swimming far where the land cannot hold us, where the lighthouse calls us home.Flying free above the marshes, soaring high above the sea,Where the tern and cormorant and plover call to lands we cannot see.Come let us go to the water, let us go to the singing shore:Where the gentle breezes whisper and the mighty breakers roar.We will look to the shining ocean, to the East, where the new day dawned:We will sing a song of the edge of the world and the waiting sky beyond.-Poem by Robert Bode (Hope Springs Retreat Center, Ohio. August 2019)About the Composer:Jacob Narverud (b. 1986) is an American composer, arranger, and conductor. Dr. Narverud is an active guest Conductor/Clinician for Choral Festivals and All-State Choirs across the country and is the Founder/Artistic Director of the Tallgrass Chamber Choir, a professional ensemble comprised of musicians from across the Great Plains. As a sought-after composer, Narverud has been commissioned to write new works for a variety of choral ensembles and organizations. Many of his Editors' Choirs compositions are publisher Best Sellers and are performed worldwide by choirs of all levels. Website: www.jnarverud.com  YouTube & Spotify: @jacobnarverud.

SKU: CF.CM9740

ISBN 9781491161203. UPC: 680160919789. Key: Bb major. English. Siegfried Sasson.

Everyone suddenly burst out singing; And I was filled with such delight As prisoned birds must find in freedom... These opening lines to Everyone Sang by the British war poet Siegfried Sassoon feel as relevant today as they did when the poem was first published in 1919. It was after the end of World War I and these words capture so much of the collective exhilaration, relief, and pure joy about the Great War finally coming to an end. And yet Sassoon himself felt none of that when he wrote this poem. In his own words, he was feeling dull-minded and depressed. Perhaps his time in the trenches was still too recent. One of the reasons the creative arts are so powerful is that a poet like Sassoon (or a painter like Van Gogh or a composer like Mahler) can take their own feelings of deep sadness or pain and transform them into something beautiful, even uplifting. Everyone Sang is a celebration of the promise that things can get better, that there are things worth looking forward to.   The poem itself has so much rhythm and musicality. The appearance of suddenly in the first line of each verse gives those verses a rush of energy. Attention to the crescendo in measure 7, and again in measure 37, from mf to f will help the listener experience that rush. There are expressive opportunities with so many of the poet's bold choices of action words - burst, winging, and shaken. Then there's alliteration - a poetic device that can be overdone, but Sassoon strikes a wonderful balance. Suddenly/singing (measures 6-7 and 10-11) Find/freedom (measure 21-22) Winging/wildly (measure 23) Setting/sun (measures 47-49) Was/wordless (measures 65-75) Give these alliterations just a hint of emphasis (without overdoing) to bring out the natural rhythm of the text.   And just as O is set apart in the poem by punctuation, I wanted the musical setting - in measure 57 - to honor that feeling of wonder - ...O, but Everyone Was a bird; and the song was wordless; the singing will Never be done. Friends, there is so much good ahead, so much to be excited about. May the singing never be done.
Everyone suddenly burst out singingAnd I was filled with such delightAs prisoned birds must find in freedom…These opening lines to Everyone Sang by the British war poet Siegfried Sassoon feel as relevant today as they did when the poem was first published in 1919. It was after the end of World War I and these words capture so much of the collective exhilaration, relief, and pure joy about the “Great War” finally coming to an end. And yet Sassoon himself felt none of that when he wrote this poem. In his own words, he “was feeling dull-minded and depressed.” Perhaps his time in the trenches was still too recent.One of the reasons the creative arts are so powerful is that a poet like Sassoon (or a painter like Van Gogh or a composer like Mahler) can take their own feelings of deep sadness or pain and transform them into something beautiful, even uplifting. Everyone Sang is a celebration of the promise that things can get better, that there are things worth looking forward to. The poem itself has so much rhythm and musicality.The appearance of “suddenly” in the first line of each verse gives those verses a rush of energy. Attention to the crescendo in measure 7, and again in measure 37, from mf to f will help the listener experience that rush.There are expressive opportunities with so many of the poet’s bold choices of action words – burst, winging, and shaken.Then there’s alliteration - a poetic device that can be overdone, but Sassoon strikes a wonderful balance.Suddenly/singing (measures 6-7 and 10-11)Find/freedom (measure 21-22)Winging/wildly (measure 23)Setting/sun (measures 47-49)Was/wordless (measures 65-75)Give these alliterations just a hint of emphasis (without overdoing) to bring out the natural rhythm of the text. And just as “O” is set apart in the poem by punctuation, I wanted the musical setting – in measure 57 - to honor that feeling of wonder –…O, but EveryoneWas a bird; and the song was wordless; the singing willNever be done. Friends, there is so much good ahead, so much to be excited about.May the singing never be done.