Choral SATB choir, piano

SKU: PR.312419280

From Terra Nostra. Composed by Stacy Garrop. Performance Score. 12 pages. Duration 5:30. Theodore Presser Company #312-41928. Published by Theodore Presser Company (PR.312419280).

ISBN 9781491137925. UPC: 680160692613.

Terra Nostra focuses on the relationship between our planet and mankind, how this relationship has shifted over time, and how we can re-establish a harmonious balance. The oratorio is divided into three parts:Part I: Creation of the World celebrates the birth and beauty of our planet. The oratorio begins with creation myths from India, North America, and Egypt that are integrated into the opening lines of Genesis from the Old Testament. The music surges forth from these creation stories into “God’s World” by Edna St. Vincent Millay, which describes the world in exuberant and vivid detail. Percy Bysshe Shelley’s “On thine own child” praises Mother Earth for her role bringing forth all life, while Walt Whitman sings a love song to the planet in “Smile O voluptuous cool-breathed earth!” Part I ends with “A Blade of Grass” in which Whitman muses how our planet has been spinning in the heavens for a very long time.Part II: The Rise of Humanity examines the achievements of mankind, particularly since the dawn of the Industrial Age. Lord Alfred Tennyson’s “Locksley Hall” sets an auspicious tone that mankind is on the verge of great discoveries. This is followed in short order by Charles Mackay’s “Railways 1846,” William Ernest Henley’s “A Song of Speed,” and John Gillespie Magee, Jr.’s “High Flight,” each of which celebrates a new milestone in technological achievement. In “Binsey Poplars,” Gerard Manley Hopkins takes note of the effect that these advances are having on the planet, with trees being brought down and landscapes forever changed. Percy Bysshe Shelley’s “A Dirge” concludes Part II with a warning that the planet is beginning to sound a grave alarm.Part III: Searching for Balance questions how we can create more awareness for our planet’s plight, re-establish a deeper connection to it, and find a balance for living within our planet’s resources. Three texts continue the earth’s plea that ended the previous section: Lord Byron’s “Darkness” speaks of a natural disaster (a volcano) that has blotted out the sun from humanity and the panic that ensues; contemporary poet Esther Iverem’s “Earth Screaming” gives voice to the modern issues of our changing climate; and William Wordsworth’s “The World Is Too Much With Us” warns us that we are almost out of time to change our course. Contemporary/agrarian poet Wendell Berry’s “The Want of Peace” speaks to us at the climax of the oratorio, reminding us that we can find harmony with the planet if we choose to live more simply, and to recall that we ourselves came from the earth. Two Walt Whitman texts (“A Child said, What is the grass?” and “There was a child went forth every day”) echo Berry’s thoughts, reminding us that we are of the earth, as is everything that we see on our planet. The oratorio concludes with a reprise of Whitman’s “A Blade of Grass” from Part I, this time interspersed with an additional Whitman text that sublimely states, “I bequeath myself to the dirt to grow from the grass I love…”My hope in writing this oratorio is to invite audience members to consider how we interact with our planet, and what we can each personally do to keep the planet going for future generations. We are the only stewards Earth has; what can we each do to leave her in better shape than we found her?

SATB choir, brass quintet, timpani, organ

SKU: PL.0212FS

Composed by Joel Martinson. Choral, Easter. Full Score. Paraclete Press #0212FS. Published by Paraclete Press (PL.0212FS).

This is an unusual yet remarkably moving new anthem for Easter. Joel Martinson has taken a contemporary poem by John Thornburg that expresses all the anguish as well as hope of the three women at the tomb. The muted brass quintet creates a mournful sound as the women express their loss and pain. As the women realize that the unthinkable has happened the music builds into an inexorable crescendo of praise and hope and the piece ends on an exuberant Alleluia. The vocal parts while wide in scope are most satisfying to sing and the instrumental parts are written imaginatively so as to express the poetic text. This will most welcome as a major addition to the literature for Easter morning.

Choir; orchestra (flute, oboe, B-flat trumpet, horn, violin I, violin II/viola & cello, electric bass, and string reduction)

SKU: HP.C5672O

Composed by Joseph M. Martin. Piano Accompaniment with Optional Orchestra. General Worship, Faith & Faithfulness, God's Attributes/Character, Gratefulness, Adoration & Praise, Sacred. Set of Instrumental Parts. Hope Publishing Company #C5672O. Published by Hope Publishing Company (HP.C5672O).

UPC: 763628256722. Joseph M. Martin & J. Paul Williams. I Corinthians 1:4-9, Psalms 89:20-37, Hebrews 10:11-14,19-25, 1 John 5:9-13.

Original anthem J. Paul Williams and Joseph Martin have collaborated in this powerhouse anthem featuring an engaging melody that boldly proclaims God's faithfulness through all time to every generation and nation. Additional instruments may be added to complement Joe Martin's exquisite piano accompaniment. Useful for services of praise, thanksgiving, and commitment with the text proclaiming, Rejoice with music. Rejoice with singing. With every alleluia, let the song go forth to every nation - faithful is God! The Orchestration includes a Conductor's Score and parts for: Flute, Oboe, B-flat Trumpet, Horn, Violin I, Violin II/Viola & Cello, Elec. Bass, and String Reduction.

Choir; orchestra

SKU: HP.C5672C

Composed by Joseph M. Martin. Piano Accompaniment with Optional Orchestra. General Worship, Faith & Faithfulness, God's Attributes/Character, Gratefulness, Adoration & Praise, Sacred. Performance/Accompaniment CD. Hope Publishing Company #C5672C. Published by Hope Publishing Company (HP.C5672C).

UPC: 763628956721. Joseph M. Martin & J. Paul Williams. I Corinthians 1:4-9, Psalms 89:20-37, Hebrews 10:11-14,19-25, 1 John 5:9-13.

Original anthem J. Paul Williams and Joseph Martin have collaborated in this powerhouse anthem featuring an engaging melody that boldly proclaims God's faithfulness through all time to every generation and nation. Additional instruments may be added to complement Joe Martin's exquisite piano accompaniment. Useful for services of praise, thanksgiving, and commitment with the text proclaiming, Rejoice with music. Rejoice with singing. With every alleluia, let the song go forth to every nation - faithful is God! The Orchestration includes a Conductor's Score and parts for: Flute, Oboe, B-flat Trumpet, Horn, Violin I, Violin II/Viola & Cello, Elec. Bass, and String Reduction.

Handbells Percussion - Level 3

SKU: HP.2953

Arranged by Greig Ashurst. World Music, Folk Song, Education, Festival, General Worship, Global, Gratefulness, Hope, Adoration & Praise. Handbell score. 12 pages. Hope Publishing Company #2953. Published by Hope Publishing Company (HP.2953).

UPC: 763628129538.

Liberian Folk Song Take time in life. Take time in life. Take time in life 'cause you got far way to go. I was passing by my brother called to me. And he said to me you better take time in life. This work is based on the Liberian folk song and is a celebration of living life to its fullest. It is a musical essay on life and invites the listener to contemplate quiet moments, our labors and our celebrations. The traditional West African drum parts will add an authentic feel and will make this piece the perfect addition to your repertoire any time of year.