SKU: CA.338790

ISBN 9790007303150. Key: G minor. Latin.

The text of this hymn was written by Father Robert Riepl (1826-1871), member of the Schutzengelbruderschaft (brotherhood of guardian angels) at Wilhering Abbey and a friend of the composer. Bruckner revised the hymn, first set to music for mixed choir in 1868, for male choir in 1886. Score available separately - see item CA.338700.

SKU: CF.CM9635

ISBN 9781491157077. UPC: 680160915637. 6.875 x 10.5 inches. Key: E major. English, English. Abram Joseph Ryan (1838-1886).

Victor Johnson captures the mystery and nuance of the bittersweet poem, Wake Me a Song, by American poet, Abram Joseph Ryan. Nuance, text, and Johnson's rich harmonies paired with intertwining textures make this a noteworthy addition to any program. Also available for SATB Voices (CM9561).
About the Author Abram Joseph Ryan was born Matthew Abraham Ryan on February 5, 1838 in Hagerstown, Maryland. As a young man, Ryan and his family moved west St. Louis, Missouri, where he was educated at the Christian Brothers School. He studied for the priesthood at Niagra University in New York State and was ordained a priest in the Vincentian order on November 1, 1856. He taught theology, first at Niagra university and then at the diocesan seminary in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, until the beginning of the war between the states. Father Ryan enlisted in the army on September 1, 1862, and served as a chaplain throughout the conflict, carrying the wounded to safety and performing last rites on the battlefield. His first piece of poetry was inspired by the death of a younger brother while serving in the army. After the war, he established a weekly literary magazine in which most of his poetry was published. He also put out several volumes of poetry, including Father Ryan's Poems and A Crown for Our Queen. Father Ryan died on April 22, 1886 at a Franciscan monastery in Louisville, Kentucky. About the Song Wake Me A Song is an inspired and sensitive setting of the 19th-century poem by Abram Joseph Ryan. It features sweeping melodic lines, rich harmonies, and a flowingly beautiful accompaniment. To master a performance of this selection, singers must perform very expressively, paying close attention to such musical aspects as phrase shaping, the rise and fall of the melodic line, blending and proper intonation between sections. One strategy that could be used to ensure proper phrasing is the idea of Painting the Phrase. The singer should make a motion as if they have a paintbrush in their hand and paint the melodic line and phrase shape as if they are painting with a nice, flowing brush stroke. One could think about painting a rainbow or an arch to show the rise and fall of the line and/or phrase. The director can also show this gesture while conducting to reinforce this concept.
About the AuthorAbram Joseph Ryan was born Matthew Abraham Ryan on February 5, 1838 in Hagerstown, Maryland. As a young man, Ryan and his family moved west St. Louis, Missouri, where he was educated at the Christian Brothers School. He studied for the priesthood at Niagra University in New York State and was ordained a priest in the Vincentian order on November 1, 1856. He taught theology, first at Niagra university and then at the diocesan seminary in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, until the beginning of the war between the states.Father Ryan enlisted in the army on September 1, 1862, and served as a chaplain throughout the conflict, carrying the wounded to safety and performing last rites on the battlefield. His first piece of poetry was inspired by the death of a younger brother while serving in the army. After the war, he established a weekly literary magazine in which most of his poetry was published. He also put out several volumes of poetry, including Father Ryan's Poems and A Crown for Our Queen. Father Ryan died on April 22, 1886 at a Franciscan monastery in Louisville, Kentucky.About the SongWake Me A Song is an inspired and sensitive setting of the 19th-century poem by Abram Joseph Ryan. It features sweeping melodic lines, rich harmonies, and a flowingly beautiful accompaniment.To master a performance of this selection, singers must perform very expressively, paying close attention to such musical aspects as phrase shaping, the rise and fall of the melodic line, blending and proper intonation between sections.One strategy that could be used to ensure proper phrasing is the idea of “Painting the Phrase.” The singer should make a motion as if they have a paintbrush in their hand and “paint” the melodic line and phrase shape as if they are painting with a nice, flowing brush stroke. One could think about painting a rainbow or an arch to show the rise and fall of the line and/or phrase. The director can also show this gesture while conducting to reinforce this concept.

SKU: HL.267896

UPC: 888680735395. 6.75x10.5 inches.

From the musical Love Never Dies, here is the sort of power ballad we have come to love from the pen of Andrew Lloyd Webber. Reviewed as a worthy sequel to The Music of the Night, this is a beautiful concert pop arrangement full of power and emotion.

SKU: AP.46970

UPC: 038081536194. English. Traditional Spiritual.

Wow! A fast swing intro punctuated by piano, bass, drums, and finger snaps leads into a jazzy arrangement of the traditional spiritual unlike any you've ever heard. The excitement grabs your ear right away and doesn't let up, building to an impressive climax at the end. Add your own rhythm section (parts are free online) or our smokin' SoundTrax CD for extra effect.

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: CA.967400

ISBN 9790007187484. Language: Latin.

With the publication of his hypnotic Pater noster, Carus proudly presents Jacek Sykulski as a new composer in the Carus Contemporary series. Whilst Sykulski has achieved worldwide success as Director of the Academic Choir at the University of Poznan and the Poznan Boys' Choir, as a composer he has remained a well-guarded secret until now. In his sacred compositions he combines in music the deeply Catholic-imbued tradition of his country with his own compositional technique, characterized by a tremendous vocal sensuousness of sound and a conscious use of tonality enriched by dissonance. His Pater noster was composed in 2009 and revised in 2015 for a performance by the RIAS Kammerchor in Berlin. The first section of this three-part work for eight-part choir (tenors and sopranos also split into three) begins with the invocation Pater noster homophonically in A minor. This then introduces the Gregorian liturgical melody of the Our Father canonically and aleatorically, like a contemplative congregational hymn. The middle section calls out Dein Reich komme in increasingly insistent rhythmic declamation, more demanding, with hypnotic repetitions and intensifications. In the last section, Sykulski returns to the opening harmonies, but now a semitone lower on A flat, followed by an intensification at the words sed libera nos a malo - and delivery us from evil once more; this ends unresolved in a diatonic cluster on A flat as the paradigm of our imperfect earthly existence. The eight-minute unaccompanied composition is extremely singable, impressive, and not difficult to master. The piece is suitable for use in the liturgy, as well as in concerts and competitions.

SKU: AP.48418

UPC: 038081552415. English.

Now available in SSAA and TTBB voicings. Alfred Music commends Dr. Timothy Sarsany for his scholarly adaptations of this long-standing favorite of honor choirs and festival groups. New voicings are carefully crafted to reflect the original. A joyful, tried-and-true a cappella fanfare, not to be missed!

SKU: HL.145682

UPC: 888680066987. 6.75x10.5 inches. Czech.

Selected for the new Music of the Americas Multicultural Series from North Dakota State University, this zesty piece hails from Mexico. The encouraging message is that chuchumbé; will reach you whether things go good or bad. It is similar to saying the rhythm or dance of life will positively infect you no matter what. And what a great dance it is, with hand percussion bringing additional rhythm to the piece. The verses are so playful it is appropriate for performers to alter the words based on the region in which they are singing. Easy to Medium. For male choirs in high school or college.

SKU: HL.49031563

ISBN 9790001052061. German.

SKU: CF.CM9488

ISBN 9781491145920. UPC: 680160903429. 6.875 x 10.5 inches. Key: G major. English translation by Sir Hugh S. Robertson (1874-1952).

This delightful reel, traditionally sung and played at Scottish weddings, is toe-tappin' fun! From the opening unison statement until the final chord, men's ensembles can explore drama and healthy singing.

SKU: GI.G-6984

UPC: 785147698401. English. Text Source: Irish hymn, tr. Mary Byrne, 1905, versified Eleanor Hull, 1912, alt.; Translation: Mary Byrne.

Not only is the arranging of slane in itself of general value, this setting is particularly important because of its contribution to the relatively small body of sacred repertoire for male chorus.

SKU: CA.4080125

ISBN 9790007109226. Key: C major. Language: Latin.

Score available separately - see item CA.4080120.

SKU: HL.49031564

ISBN 9790001052078. German.

SKU: CA.975100

ISBN 9790007186340. Language: Romanian/German/English.

Paparuda is based on a Romanian folk poem, a pagan rain dance song. During a period of heat and drought the rain goddess is implored to finally let it rain, to refresh people and to water the earth, so that it can bring forth fruit and flowers abundantly. The composer George Balint (b. 1961) has set this ritual to music for mixed choir, in an impressive piece with thrilling rhythm. As well as the Romanian text, a singable German and English version is included.