SKU: CF.CM9606

ISBN 9781491154281. UPC: 680160912780. 6.875 x 10.5 inches. Key: C major. English. Charles A. Coffin (1844-1926).

Bethlehem Carol was the result of a commission in 2000 from the Cathedral Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. The request came from the Cathedrals music director, Russell Jackson; he had very much liked the Italian Fable cum Violin Concerto (The Big Sword and the Little Broom) I had written in 1997 for the Lehigh Valley Chamber Orchestra. Russell chose the text by Charles Coffin, a French poet and educator whose hymn verses were often translated into English. My approach toward setting the poem was my usual one; that is, to translate literally the words into music (note the dips into the minor mode for the cave of Bethlehem and the child of poverty.) But most of all, I wanted to capture the sense of joy and peace brought by the arrival of the Christ Child.
Bethlehem Carol was the result of a commission in 2000 from the Cathedral Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. The request came from the Cathedralas music director, Russell Jackson; he had very much liked the Italian Fable cum Violin Concerto (The Big Sword and the Little Broom) I had written in 1997 for the Lehigh Valley Chamber Orchestra. Russell chose the text by Charles Coffin, a French poet and educator whose hymn verses were often translated into English. My approach toward setting the poem was my usual one; that is, to translate literally the words into music (note the dips into the minor mode for athe cave of Bethlehema and athe child of poverty.a)A But most of all, I wanted to capture the sense of joy and peace brought by the arrival of the Christ Child.
Bethlehem Carol was the result of a commission in 2000 from the Cathedral Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. The request came from the Cathedral's music director, Russell Jackson; he had very much liked the Italian Fable cum Violin Concerto (The Big Sword and the Little Broom) I had written in 1997 for the Lehigh Valley Chamber Orchestra. Russell chose the text by Charles Coffin, a French poet and educator whose hymn verses were often translated into English. My approach toward setting the poem was my usual one; that is, to translate literally the words into music (note the dips into the minor mode for the cave of Bethlehem and the child of poverty.) But most of all, I wanted to capture the sense of joy and peace brought by the arrival of the Christ Child.
Bethlehem Carol was the result of a commission in 2000 from the Cathedral Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. The request came from the Cathedral's music director, Russell Jackson; he had very much liked the Italian Fable cum Violin Concerto (The Big Sword and the Little Broom) I had written in 1997 for the Lehigh Valley Chamber Orchestra. Russell chose the text by Charles Coffin, a French poet and educator whose hymn verses were often translated into English. My approach toward setting the poem was my usual one; that is, to translate literally the words into music (note the dips into the minor mode for the cave of Bethlehem and the child of poverty.) But most of all, I wanted to capture the sense of joy and peace brought by the arrival of the Christ Child.
Bethlehem Carol was the result of a commission in 2000 from the Cathedral Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. The request came from the Cathedral’s music director, Russell Jackson; he had very much liked the Italian Fable cum Violin Concerto (The Big Sword and the Little Broom) I had written in 1997 for the Lehigh Valley Chamber Orchestra. Russell chose the text by Charles Coffin, a French poet and educator whose hymn verses were often translated into English. My approach toward setting the poem was my usual one; that is, to translate literally the words into music (note the dips into the minor mode for “the cave of Bethlehem” and “the child of poverty.”)  But most of all, I wanted to capture the sense of joy and peace brought by the arrival of the Christ Child.

SKU: HL.1437384

UPC: 196288204497.

“The Listening,” written by Grammy-nominated composer Cheryl B. Engelhardt in December 2017 for VOICES 21C under the artistic direction of André de Quadros, draws its inspiration from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s impactful 1967 speech, “Beyond Vietnam: A Time to Break Silence.” This dynamic, emotion-filled piece expresses King's call to end societal silence. The rhythmic elements in the piece are derived from the poetic nature of King's speech. The inclusion of a children's choir, inspired by the Parkland school shooting and subsequent protests, symbolizes the disruption of childhood peace by violence. Notably, the virtual collaboration, featuring Donzaleigh Abernathy, Dr. King's goddaughter, emphasizes the song's contemporary relevance in addressing social issues, and was featured in PEOPLE. Premiered live at the Massachusetts Music Educators Conference in 2018 by VOICES 21C, and digitally released during Black History month in 2021, “The Listening” stands as a profound anthem for breaking silence and to foster positive change.