SKU: AP.48396

UPC: 038081552194. English.

Tambourine and hand drum enhance the dance-like character of this Spanish villancico that dates back to the Renaissance era. This arrangement makes brilliant use of varied a cappella textures, from soloists over solid block chords to vigorous rhythmic interplay between voice parts. A true standout Christmas selection for discerning choirs.

About Alfred Choral Designs

The Alfred Choral Designs Series provides student and adult choirs with a variety of secular choral music that is useful, practical, educationally appropriate, and a pleasure to sing. To that end, the Choral Designs series features original works, folk song settings, spiritual arrangements, choral masterworks, and holiday selections suitable for use in concerts, festivals, and contests.

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.

SKU: HL.1424348

UPC: 196288200758.

“If Ye Love Me” is a compelling exploration of mystical harmonies and intricate counterpoint. Beginning with a captivating set of harmonies, the piece transitions through flowing, meditative textures into a kaleidoscopic canon across all voices. The composition peaks in a moment of dissonance, which resolves into joyfully climactic chords that echo its opening harmonies. Ideal for choirs looking for a rich tapestry of harmonies and textures, the piece offers a final transformative moment that leaves the listener with a sense of spiritual elevation.

SKU: ST.W217

ISBN 9790220221941.

An expert choral director as well as a highly regarded composer, Ronald Corp has written unaccompanied SATB settings of three famous medieval carol texts, Myn Lyking, The Virgin's Cradle Hymn (Dormi Jesu) and Quem Pastores Laudavere. The idiom is modern yet accessible, with an ear for stylish harmony that includes both modal progressions and colourful added chords, embroidered in some rich yet untaxing divisi writing. The carols may be performed as separate items or as a group, the first two being cradle songs for the Nativity, the third also suited to the celebration of Epiphany on 6 Janaury. Ronald Corp is Founder and Artistic Director of the New London Orchestra and New London Children's Choir, and Musical Director of the London Chorus and Highgate Choral Society.

SKU: PL.0600

* giving the affect of an a cappella beginning, the organ pedal point gives subtle support to the unison choir * harmony added in the organ first and then in the choir, leading to the climax of the first verse, He brings my wandering spirit back. * central verse about the shades of death is set in the minor, with vocal parts in a low range and minor seventh chords adding harmonic color in the accompaniment * returning to the major key and the dynamic highpoint of the anthem, the final verse then concludes with the opening pedal point, a solo organ line on the flute celeste and the choir singing on one pitch, a child at home.

SKU: HL.35032467

UPC: 888680868505. 6.75x10.5 inches.

This reassuring anthem composed in a gospel vernacular is filled with good-natured hopefulness. Swinging the eighths, the writers lift spirits with a lilting piano part, complete with some bent note patterns and nice full chords for the choir. The text is an invitation to celebrate the life we have in God's love, using scripture passages from both Old and New Testaments. Quickly learned but enduring in its positive impact!

SKU: PR.312419160

ISBN 9781491134931. UPC: 680160685882. Psalm 117.

Hailstork’s exhilarating addition to the Psalm 117 repertoire draws inspiration from his elegant blend of traditional choral writing, with a spiritual-like melody in the Basses, and a tinge of Gospel fervor. The excitement of irregular meter, and independent part-writing with divisi chords, make O PRAISE THE LORD a perfect concert work for college, community, and advanced high school choirs to rise up to a challenge that is easily attained. Only Hailstork’s magical artistry could spawn such a psalm setting in a minor key that is fully uplifting to sing and hear.

SKU: HL.1432572

UPC: 196288203230.

“Fyer, fyer!” is a new setting of the Renaissance madrigal text by Thomas Morley, first made famous by Monteverdi's setting. The piece is an installment in Brian Sidders's long-term project of re-setting the texts of historic choral works. Polychords and changing meters depict the combination of excitement and fear that comes with the flames of new love. A perfect choice for advanced ensembles who want a fresh take on a classic choral text!