SATB choir, assembly, organ accompaniment, trumpet 1 in B-flat, trumpet 1 in C, trumpet 2 in B-flat, trumpet 2 in C, trombone 1, trombone 2 - Beginning

SKU: GI.G-7701

Composed by Charles Villiers Stanford. Arranged by Robert J. Powell. Advent 1 B, Ordinary Time 6 A, Ordinary Time 26 A. Choral. Tune Name: Engelberg. Sacred. Octavo. 12 pages. GIA Publications #7701. Published by GIA Publications (GI.G-7701).

UPC: 785147770107. English. Text by Delores Dufner. Scripture: Isaiah 64:4, 1 Corinthians 2:9, Philippians 2:11.

ENGELBERG is one of those tunes that musicians love to program whenever possible. While there seems to be no shortage of texts to yoke with it, Delores Dufner’s well crafted hymn, which sings of Christ our Light, was written specifically for the tune, creating a natural pairing that we think Stanford would have appreciated! Powell’s setting with brass quartet captures the grandeur of the tune.

Choral SATB Choir and Piano

SKU: CF.CM9740

Composed by Mark Burrows. 16 pages. Duration 4 minutes, 22 seconds. Carl Fischer Music #CM9740. Published by Carl Fischer Music (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.

SATB choir, piano accompaniment, violin 1, violin 2, viola, cello

SKU: GI.G-EH1009

Composed by Elaine Hagenberg. Music Education. Octavo. 12 pages. GIA Publications #EH1009. Published by GIA Publications (GI.G-EH1009).

Text source: Gaelic blessing.

Beautifully capturing the essence of this traditional Gaelic blessing, Elaine Hagenberg’s setting evokes the natural tranquility of a “gentle night” where the “moon and stars pour their healing light on you.” The gently flowing piano accompaniment supports the rolling legato vocal lines. Optional string quartet parts add serenity and depth to this well loved text. Full Score and Parts version also available. EH1009A. Scroll down for link.

SATB Choir

SKU: HL.14005357

Composed by Geoffrey Burgon. Music Sales America. Sacred. Book [Softcover]. Composed 1999. 40 pages. Chester Music #CH61337. Published by Chester Music (HL.14005357).

ISBN 9780711975767.

De Algunos Canciones de Juan de la Cruz. This work was commissioned by the BBC for the 10th anniversary of the BBC Northern Singers in 1975. 'Dos Coros is a setting for voices of two poems by the 16th century Spanish mystic St John of the Cross. St John is widely considered to be the greatest of the Spanish mystic poets, because he comes closest to expressing what is usually considered to be inexpressible - mystical experience. His poetry is all about the intense excitement of the union with God, but, paradoxically, the word God is rarely used, and not at all in the two poems set here. Another paradox is that he is able to express great serenity by employing the imagery of rushing water, flight and even drunkenness. If mystical experience is near impossible to convey in words, then maybe it is natural that many composers have taken up the challenge of conveying it in their own medium.' Geoffrey Burgon.