SKU: PR.312418800

ISBN 9781491138151. UPC: 680160640225. Second April, by Edna St. Vincent Millay.

Second April for S.A.T.B. Chorus and Piano is a four-movement set, based on the poetry of Edna St. Vincent Millay. Ewazen has long been enamored with her poetry's wonderfully vivid and descriptive imagery of nature and emotions, and its powerful and profound meaning. The final movement, INTO THE GOLDEN VESSEL OF GREAT SONG is an appassionato call to overcome! The poem exhorts us to “sing out” with hope, determination, and strength. The music contrasts turmoil and times of strife with a return to championing the idea of simply overcoming, going forward with hope and determination, with the closing music in major, resonant and strong.  .
SECOND APRIL for S.A.T.B. Chorus and Piano is a four-movement set, based on the poetry of Edna St. Vincent Millay. I have long been enamored with the poetry of Millay for its wonderfully vivid and descriptive imagery, and its often powerful and profound meaning. Millay’s descriptions of nature, and of feelings and emotions, have always spoken to me. SECOND APRIL consists of four of her poems, each with a distinctive mood, message, and emotional feel. They are vivid, powerful, and beautiful, inspiring me to capture these descriptions of the various scenes she portrays.  Song of a Second April uses music to underlie strong feelings, passions, and the tragedies of life. The poem itself is dramatic, detailing a time of personal strife and tragedy, perhaps the end of a relationship or even the end of a life. The music is intense, fast, in a minor key, and with rapid, spinning notes creating a feeling of powerful, relentless emotions. Melodies, motives, and gestures are tossed between the voices, increasing the feelings of intensity and even desperation. Little by little, the music almost dies away, getting quieter and quieter, creating a feeling of resignation, but with a Picardy Third in the final chord – maybe a bit of hope!  Mariposa is a celebration of nature, wandering through a field with white and blue butterflies appearing almost wondrously. But there’s also a profound feeling of poignancy, noting that as one relishes such a beautiful, magical sight, they should embrace the experience – the fleeting, transient nature of such a perfect vision and of life itself. The music portrays the flying of the butterflies: gentle, beautiful, with rich chords and arpeggios, but stepping back, as the fleeting nature of life is the reality, with gentle, but sombre chords interspersed with the magical flight of the Mariposa.Alms is a fast rondo, intense, bold, and always dance-like. It is about both tragedy and resilience. This music is also in minor, yet with moments of playfulness, as a recollection of happy times or moments takes over. This seesaw between emotions is heard throughout the movement, as the music continues to “dance.”  And with Millay’s summing up of “reality being what it is,” the piece ends with strength, boldness, and finality. Into the Golden Vessel of Great Song is an appassionato call to overcome! The poem exhorts us to “sing out” with hope, determination, and strength. The music is full of bright and lilting energy; but as the turmoil and times of strife people can sometimes feel or experience, the music becomes intense, dramatic, in a minor key, and with changing rhythms. BUT, there is a return to championing the idea of simply overcoming, going forward with hope and determination, and the music is in major, resonant and strong.  .

SKU: PR.312418780

ISBN 9781491138137. UPC: 680160640201. Second April, by Edna St. Vincent Millay.

Second April for S.A.T.B. Chorus and Piano is a four-movement set, based on the poetry of Edna St. Vincent Millay. Ewazen has long been enamored with her poetry's wonderfully vivid and descriptive imagery of nature and emotions, and its powerful and profound meaning. The second movement, MARIPOSA celebrates nature, wandering through a field of white and blue butterflies appearing wondrously, with rich chords and arpeggios. Yet also stepping back, the fleeting nature of life is the reality, with gentle, somber chords interspersed with the magical flight of the Mariposa.
Program Notes by Eric EwazenSECOND APRIL for S.A.T.B. Chorus and Piano is a four-movement set, based on the poetry of Edna St. Vincent Millay. I have long been enamored with the poetry of Millay for its wonderfully vivid and descriptive imagery, and its often powerful and profound meaning. Millay’s descriptions of nature, and of feelings and emotions, have always spoken to me. SECOND APRIL consists of four of her poems, each with a distinctive mood, message, and emotional feel. They are vivid, powerful, and beautiful, inspiring me to capture these descriptions of the various scenes she portrays.  Song of a Second April uses music to underlie strong feelings, passions, and the tragedies of life. The poem itself is dramatic, detailing a time of personal strife and tragedy, perhaps the end of a relationship or even the end of a life. The music is intense, fast, in a minor key, and with rapid, spinning notes creating a feeling of powerful, relentless emotions. Melodies, motives, and gestures are tossed between the voices, increasing the feelings of intensity and even desperation. Little by little, the music almost dies away, getting quieter and quieter, creating a feeling of resignation, but with a Picardy Third in the final chord – maybe a bit of hope!  Mariposa is a celebration of nature, wandering through a field with white and blue butterflies appearing almost wondrously. But there’s also a profound feeling of poignancy, noting that as one relishes such a beautiful, magical sight, they should embrace the experience – the fleeting, transient nature of such a perfect vision and of life itself. The music portrays the flying of the butterflies: gentle, beautiful, with rich chords and arpeggios, but stepping back, as the fleeting nature of life is the reality, with gentle, but sombre chords interspersed with the magical flight of the Mariposa.Alms is a fast rondo, intense, bold, and always dance-like. It is about both tragedy and resilience. This music is also in minor, yet with moments of playfulness, as a recollection of happy times or moments takes over. This seesaw between emotions is heard throughout the movement, as the music continues to “dance.”  And with Millay’s summing up of “reality being what it is,” the piece ends with strength, boldness, and finality. Into the Golden Vessel of Great Song is an appassionato call to overcome! The poem exhorts us to “sing out” with hope, determination, and strength. The music is full of bright and lilting energy; but as the turmoil and times of strife people can sometimes feel or experience, the music becomes intense, dramatic, in a minor key, and with changing rhythms. BUT, there is a return to championing the idea of simply overcoming, going forward with hope and determination, and the music is in major, resonant and strong.  .

SKU: HL.48024356

ISBN 9781784543334. UPC: 196288157779. 7.0x10.0x0.027 inches. Text: William Shakespeare.

William Shakespeare's famous sonnet ('Let me not to the marriage of true minds Admit impediments'), often used at weddings and civilceremonies, is here set to beautiful, fresh music by young composer Ed Rex. The mostly homophonic setting employs the composer's distinctive close harmonies, which, together with short phrases and natural rhythm, serve to add greater meaning to the poignant andmoving text. Spells of parallel and contrary motion in the inner parts are intended in some way to reflect important elements of thecommitment two people make to each other in marriage or partnership. Sonnet 116 is sure to add an unforgettable moment to a happy couple's special day, and would also be an excellent addition to concerts using a theme of love.

SKU: WD.080689561092

UPC: 080689561092.

SimplyWORD--the popular, best-selling series written with easy, accessible SATB vocal part writing, especially for smaller choirs or choirs with limited rehearsal time--is proud to present the latest release in its seasonal offerings, RISEN INDEED! This fresh, new musical by veteran arranger and orchestrator Steve W. Mauldin incorporates stellar song selection; sensitive, moving narrations; inspiring orchestrations; and powerfully simple vocal arrangements. This blended choir offering is one of the most emotionally and sonically dynamic musicals ever released in this highly-respected choral series from Word Music.
Perfect for your Easter celebration, RISEN INDEED is a multi-faceted musical designed with every choir in mind! Created especially for a year when Easter comes so early on the calendar, this 30-minute musical from the SimplyWORD Series will become a favorite with your choir and congregation alike!
With everything from its beautiful hymn arrangement of Hallelujah, What a Savior; Hillsong's contemporary anthem for the church, Man of Sorrows; some of your favorite songs penned by Keith and Kristyn Getty; to new songs written especially for this musical, RISEN INDEED is sure to make your next Easter celebration one to remember. Enhance your presentation even further with the use of the movie-quality DVD accompaniment track to set your choir's presentation apart from all the rest!

Song Titles: He Lives No More to Die * Come, People of the Risen King * Christ Is Enough * Hallelujah! What a Savior * He Suffered for Our Sins (Underscore) * Man of Sorrows * Christ Is Risen, He Is Risen Indeed.

SKU: WD.080689605390

UPC: 080689605390.

SimplyWORD--the popular, best-selling series written with easy, accessible SATB vocal part writing, especially for smaller choirs or choirs with limited rehearsal time--is proud to present the latest release in its seasonal offerings, RISEN INDEED! This fresh, new musical by veteran arranger and orchestrator Steve W. Mauldin incorporates stellar song selection; sensitive, moving narrations; inspiring orchestrations; and powerfully simple vocal arrangements. This blended choir offering is one of the most emotionally and sonically dynamic musicals ever released in this highly-respected choral series from Word Music.
Perfect for your Easter celebration, RISEN INDEED is a multi-faceted musical designed with every choir in mind! Created especially for a year when Easter comes so early on the calendar, this 30-minute musical from the SimplyWORD Series will become a favorite with your choir and congregation alike!
With everything from its beautiful hymn arrangement of Hallelujah, What a Savior; Hillsong's contemporary anthem for the church, Man of Sorrows; some of your favorite songs penned by Keith and Kristyn Getty; to new songs written especially for this musical, RISEN INDEED is sure to make your next Easter celebration one to remember. Enhance your presentation even further with the use of the movie-quality DVD accompaniment track to set your choir's presentation apart from all the rest!

Song Titles: He Lives No More to Die * Come, People of the Risen King * Christ Is Enough * Hallelujah! What a Savior * He Suffered for Our Sins (Underscore) * Man of Sorrows * Christ Is Risen, He Is Risen Indeed.