SKU: PR.342402020

ISBN 9781598064995. UPC: 680160616084. 8.5 x 11 inches. English. Text: William Shakespeare; Aurelius Prudentius Clemens; Aeschylus. Aurelius Clemens, William Shakespeare, Aeschylus. Texts from Aurelius Prudentius Clemens, Aeschylus, and William Shakespeare.

When Tim Sharp, Executive Director of the ACDA, offered Stucky the Brock Memorial Commission, it was decided that the text would commemorate the 50th anniversary of the assassination of John F. Kennedy, since the annual convention would take place in Dallas of that year. To that end, Stucky chose four different but pertinent texts to honor the occasion, although never referencing JFK by name. Take Him, Earth was premiered at the ACDA convention in March, 2013. Originally scored for chorus and chamber ensemble of nine instruments (available on a rental basis), Take Him, Earth is presented here in piano reduction. For advanced choirs. Duration: 13'.
When Tim Sharp, Executive Director of the American Choral Directors Association, very kindlyoffered me the Raymond W. Brock Memorial Commission for 2013, he suggested that because thepremiere would take place at the national conference in Dallas in the 50th year since the assassinationof John F. Kennedy in that city, the text might refer in some way to that grim anniversary. Hesuggested, too, that I consider using a chamber ensemble or chamber orchestra to accompany thechorus.I took these suggestions to heart, but at the same time I wanted to write something universal enoughto be appropriate on other occasions, in other settings. Thus the score is dedicated to PresidentKennedy’s memory, but otherwise he is never referred to by name. Instead, I assembled a group oftexts that are associated with him in some way, but that also stand alone as a more general eulogy.As a refrain, there are a few lines from the early Christian burial hymn that begins “Take him,Earth, for cherishing” — lines that were earlier set to music by Herbert Howells in his classic motetcommissioned for Kennedy’s memorial service in 1963. The lines of Aeschylus “Drop, drop — inour sleep, upon the heart sorrow falls” from Agamemnon were quoted by Robert F. Kennedy uponthe death of Martin Luther King in April 1968. The celebrated “When he shall die, cut him out inlittle stars” from Act III of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet was cited by RFK a few months after hisbrother’s murder.

SKU: WD.080689769726

UPC: 080689769726.

Jesus made an astounding claim in Luke 4. When He proclaimed that He was the fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy, it was more than a resume of credentials; it was a mission statement. In fact, it was a commitment - to you and to me - that there would be a place where sinners can find mercy; the afflicted can find healing; the broken can find compassion, and the outcast can find dignity. Behold the cross of Christ...it is the place where love and mercy meet.

This profound spiritual theme is movingly captured by veteran arranger Marty Parks in Where Love & Mercy Meet, the latest offering from Simply Word Easter. Combining popular songs by Michael W. Smith, Bill and Gloria Gaither, and Darlene Zschech and Reuben Morgan with beloved classics, this musical features engaging worship sequences with easy-to-learn SATB choral parts and arrangements for one male and one female solos (with optional men/women unison), making it ideal for smaller choirs or those with limited rehearsal time. A well-designed accompaniment DVD is available to enhance your production, as well as an optional small-cast dramatic script by Kim Messer that will bring the themes of the musical into a powerful contemporary focus. This Easter, invite your congregation and community to come to the place where love and mercy meet - the cross of Jesus Christ.