SATB choir, piano

SKU: LO.15-3238H

Composed by Jonathan Willcocks. Choral. Octavo. Heritage Music Press #15/3238H. Published by Heritage Music Press (LO.15-3238H).

ISBN 9780787714499.

Lyrical melodic lines combine with a sparkling piano accompaniment in this delightful piece. The engaging harmonic nuances and gentle rhythmic figures enhance the natural flow of Christina Rossetti’s A Birthday..

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.

(Choral Highlights). Arranged by Mac Huff. (SATB). Disney Choral. 70 pages. Published by Hal Leonard.

SATB choir

SKU: ST.EM35B

Composed by John Mundy. Edited by Edmund H Fellowes. Library Volumes. Edited Edmund Fellowes. Revised Thurston Dart and Philip Brett. Paperback. Madrigals. Choral Score. Stainer & Bell Ltd. #EM35B. Published by Stainer & Bell Ltd. (ST.EM35B).

ISBN 9790220211652.

Organist of St George's, Windsor, and successor to the famous Marbecke, Mundy was amongst the earliest of the English madrigalists. There are 12 madrigals in this collection, ranging from Of all the birds, a tribute to William Byrd, to In deep distress and the tragic setting of words written by Chideock Tichborne on the eve of his execution in the Tower of London, My prime of youth. The volume also contains 25 psalms in three, four, and five parts.

CONTENTS
As I went walking (SAT)
Blessed art thou (SAT)
Have mercy on me, O Lord (SSATB)
Hear my prayer, O Lord (STB)
Heigh Ho! 'chill go to plough (SSAB)
I lift my heart to thee (SSAT)
In deep distress (SATB)
In midst of woods (SSATB)
Lightly she whipped o'er the dales (SSATB)
Lord arise and help thy servant (SSATB)
Lord to thee I make my moan (SATB)
My prime of youth (SATB)
O all ye nations (S (or A) AT)
O come let us lift up our voice (SAT)
O Lord of whom I do depend (SSAT)
O Lord turn not away thy face (SAT)
Of all the birds (SAT)
Penelope that longed (SSATB)
Praise the Lord, O my soul (SAT)
Save me, O God (SAT)
Sing ye unto the Lord (SSAT)
The black-bird made (SSATB)
The longer that I live (SSAT)
The Shepherd Stephon (S solo, A. viol, T. viol, B. viol)
Thus art thou bless'd (SAT)
Turn about and see me (SA (or T) T)
Unto thee lift I up mine eyes (SSATB)
Were I a king (SATBB)
Who loves a life (SSATB)
Witness ye heav'ns (S solo, A. viol, T. viol, B. viol)
Ye people all in one accord (SAB).

(A Little Singing). Arranged by Jean Perry and Dave Perry. Performance Music Ensemble; Single Titles. Alfred Choral Designs. Folk; Secular. Choral Octavo. 16 pages. Alfred Music #00-48429. Published by Alfred Music

(No. 3 from Rilke Songs ). Composed by Julian Wachner (1969-). For SATB choir, divisi. Secular. Octavo. 20 pages. Published by E.C. Schirmer Publishing

Composed by Philip Lane Ledger. Edited by Philip Lane Ledger. Mixed Voices. Secular, Choral Collection. Vocal score. 408 pages. Oxford University Press #9780193436640. Published by Oxford University Press

Choir (SATB choir)

SKU: AP.48897

Arranged by Victor C Johnson. Performance Music Ensemble; Single Titles. Alfred Choral Designs. Carol Arrangement; Christmas; Multicultural; Sacred; Traditional; World. Choral Octavo. 12 pages. Alfred Music #00-48897. Published by Alfred Music (AP.48897).

UPC: 038081562216. English. Traditional Spanish Carol.

Victor's arrangement of this gentle nativity carol from Spain is sung entirely in the original language (a pronunciation and translation are included). This sensitive treatment captures the lullaby mood and adds a light rhythmic undercurrent in moderate 3/4 time. The tonality shifts seamlessly between D minor and D major to reflect a text that moves from quieting the baby to a rushing fountain and singing birds. While the words do return, no two verses are set in the same manner, creating an ever-evolving arrangement. Piano fingers dance over the keys with triplet turns and easily grasp the bigger chords in the supportive and stylistic accompaniment. A nice contrast on holiday programs.

The Great Trees: 1. Peace of Wild Things. Composed by Gwyneth W. Walker (1947-). Concerts, Secular, 21st Century. Octavo. Published by E.C. Schirmer Publishing (EC.7744).