SKU: PR.312419280

ISBN 9781491137925. UPC: 680160692613.

Terra Nostra focuses on the relationship between our planet and mankind, how this relationship has shifted over time, and how we can re-establish a harmonious balance. The oratorio is divided into three parts:Part I: Creation of the World celebrates the birth and beauty of our planet. The oratorio begins with creation myths from India, North America, and Egypt that are integrated into the opening lines of Genesis from the Old Testament. The music surges forth from these creation stories into “God’s World” by Edna St. Vincent Millay, which describes the world in exuberant and vivid detail. Percy Bysshe Shelley’s “On thine own child” praises Mother Earth for her role bringing forth all life, while Walt Whitman sings a love song to the planet in “Smile O voluptuous cool-breathed earth!” Part I ends with “A Blade of Grass” in which Whitman muses how our planet has been spinning in the heavens for a very long time.Part II: The Rise of Humanity examines the achievements of mankind, particularly since the dawn of the Industrial Age. Lord Alfred Tennyson’s “Locksley Hall” sets an auspicious tone that mankind is on the verge of great discoveries. This is followed in short order by Charles Mackay’s “Railways 1846,” William Ernest Henley’s “A Song of Speed,” and John Gillespie Magee, Jr.’s “High Flight,” each of which celebrates a new milestone in technological achievement. In “Binsey Poplars,” Gerard Manley Hopkins takes note of the effect that these advances are having on the planet, with trees being brought down and landscapes forever changed. Percy Bysshe Shelley’s “A Dirge” concludes Part II with a warning that the planet is beginning to sound a grave alarm.Part III: Searching for Balance questions how we can create more awareness for our planet’s plight, re-establish a deeper connection to it, and find a balance for living within our planet’s resources. Three texts continue the earth’s plea that ended the previous section: Lord Byron’s “Darkness” speaks of a natural disaster (a volcano) that has blotted out the sun from humanity and the panic that ensues; contemporary poet Esther Iverem’s “Earth Screaming” gives voice to the modern issues of our changing climate; and William Wordsworth’s “The World Is Too Much With Us” warns us that we are almost out of time to change our course. Contemporary/agrarian poet Wendell Berry’s “The Want of Peace” speaks to us at the climax of the oratorio, reminding us that we can find harmony with the planet if we choose to live more simply, and to recall that we ourselves came from the earth. Two Walt Whitman texts (“A Child said, What is the grass?” and “There was a child went forth every day”) echo Berry’s thoughts, reminding us that we are of the earth, as is everything that we see on our planet. The oratorio concludes with a reprise of Whitman’s “A Blade of Grass” from Part I, this time interspersed with an additional Whitman text that sublimely states, “I bequeath myself to the dirt to grow from the grass I love…”My hope in writing this oratorio is to invite audience members to consider how we interact with our planet, and what we can each personally do to keep the planet going for future generations. We are the only stewards Earth has; what can we each do to leave her in better shape than we found her?

SKU: PR.312419020

ISBN 9781491131862. UPC: 680160680474. 6.875 x 10.5 inches. English.

Commissioned by the San Francisco Choral Society and the Piedmont East Bay Children’s Choir, Terra Nostra is a 70-minute oratorio on the relationship between our planet and humankind, how this relationship has shifted over time, and how we can re-establish a harmonious balance. Part I: Creation of the World explores various creation myths from different cultures, culminating in a joyous celebration of the beauty of our planet. Part II: The Rise of Humanity examines human achievements, particularly since the dawn of our Industrial Age, and how these achievements have impacted the planet. Part III: Searching for Balance questions how to create more awareness for our planet’s plight, re-establish a deeper connection to it, and find a balance for living within our planet’s resources. In addition to the complete oratorio, stand-alone movements for mixed chorus, and for solo voice with piano, are also available separately.
Terra Nostra focuses on the relationship between our planet and mankind, how this relationship has shifted over time, and how we can re-establish a harmonious balance. The oratorio is divided into three parts:Part I: Creation of the World celebrates the birth and beauty of our planet. The oratorio begins with creation myths from India, North America, and Egypt that are integrated into the opening lines of Genesis from the Old Testament. The music surges forth from these creation stories into “God’s World” by Edna St. Vincent Millay, which describes the world in exuberant and vivid detail. Percy Bysshe Shelley’s “On thine own child” praises Mother Earth for her role bringing forth all life, while Walt Whitman sings a love song to the planet in “Smile O voluptuous cool-breathed earth!” Part I ends with “A Blade of Grass” in which Whitman muses how our planet has been spinning in the heavens for a very long time.Part II: The Rise of Humanity examines the achievements of mankind, particularly since the dawn of the Industrial Age. Lord Alfred Tennyson’s “Locksley Hall” sets an auspicious tone that mankind is on the verge of great discoveries. This is followed in short order by Charles Mackay’s “Railways 1846,” William Ernest Henley’s “A Song of Speed,” and John Gillespie Magee, Jr.’s “High Flight,” each of which celebrates a new milestone in technological achievement. In “Binsey Poplars,” Gerard Manley Hopkins takes note of the effect that these advances are having on the planet, with trees being brought down and landscapes forever changed. Percy Bysshe Shelley’s “A Dirge” concludes Part II with a warning that the planet is beginning to sound a grave alarm.Part III: Searching for Balance questions how we can create more awareness for our planet’s plight, re-establish a deeper connection to it, and find a balance for living within our planet’s resources. Three texts continue the earth’s plea that ended the previous section: Lord Byron’s “Darkness” speaks of a natural disaster (a volcano) that has blotted out the sun from humanity and the panic that ensues; contemporary poet Esther Iverem’s “Earth Screaming” gives voice to the modern issues of our changing climate; and William Wordsworth’s “The World Is Too Much With Us” warns us that we are almost out of time to change our course. Contemporary/agrarian poet Wendell Berry’s “The Want of Peace” speaks to us at the climax of the oratorio, reminding us that we can find harmony with the planet if we choose to live more simply, and to recall that we ourselves came from the earth. Two Walt Whitman texts (“A Child said, What is the grass?” and “There was a child went forth every day”) echo Berry’s thoughts, reminding us that we are of the earth, as is everything that we see on our planet. The oratorio concludes with a reprise of Whitman’s “A Blade of Grass” from Part I, this time interspersed with an additional Whitman text that sublimely states, “I bequeath myself to the dirt to grow from the grass I love…”My hope in writing this oratorio is to invite audience members to consider how we interact with our planet, and what we can each personally do to keep the planet going for future generations. We are the only stewards Earth has; what can we each do to leave her in better shape than we found her?

SKU: HL.2050289

UPC: 797242852596. 6.75x10.5x0.302 inches.

Peace on earth. Has there ever been such a thing - will there ever be? Wars and rumors of wars are the mile markers of history. Wars seem to be the events by which history is recorded. Did you ever hear of World Peace I or World Peace II - or the years of Civil Peace? Did the Holy Scriptures really promise Peace On Earth? Did an angel from heaven really proclaim “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom He is pleased!” ? (Luke 2:14) The answer is...YES!Butwhatabout...? - Butwhatabout...? - Butwhatabout...?We could spend most of our lives filling in these blanks. However - if we take the cognizant, courageous leap of faith - if we choose to believe God's Word is true - then we must refine our understanding of peace. Jesus said - “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27Jesus knows about peace - He is indeed the Prince of Peace. How then can we define peace...? Peace is not the absence of conflict - Peace is the presence of God.God made His presence known in a spectacular, miraculous way long ago in the ancient city of Bethlehem. His presence remains just as real - just as powerful - just as loving.Thanks be to God for His tender mercy and all sufficient grace. May we be instruments used of God to live out and reach others with the good news. Glory to God in the highest! There Is Peace in the World Tonight.

SKU: C4.9790902260473

ISBN 9790902260473. 8.27 x 11.7 inches.

Forming part of the A Distant Music anthology, Praise: Psalms and Prayers 1 showcases 20 sacred choral works by Australian composers, most published here for the first time.

Containing a variety of accompanied and unaccompanied works, Praise: Psalms and Prayers 1 offers choirs access to quality Australian sacred music. Settings include texts from the Book of Psalms, well-known prayers as well as a spiritual poem by Australian Erica Jolly.

The 90-page volume covers a range of abilities and variety of compositional styles.

SKU: WD.080689752728

UPC: 080689752728.

The life-changing story of Jesus' death and resurrection is told from the unique perspective of the Samaritan woman at the well as she is transformed by the sacrificial love of Christ in this passionate new work from Deborah Craig-Claar, Allan Douglas and Phillip Keveren. Two actresses portray the woman called Anna - an older woman who looks back at the Passion events from a post-resurrection perspective, and her younger counterpart who encounters Jesus at the well and joins His followers in Jerusalem during Passion Week. The extraordinary score includes songs written or made popular by today's most accomplished artists, including Michael W. Smith, Keith Getty, Stuart Townend, Matt Maher, and Natalie Grant. Phillip Keveren's breathtaking chamber ensemble instrumentation creates an intimate and compelling experience. At only 40 minutes in length and with only two female characters, one male character, and purely optional sets/lights/costumes, Never Thirst Again can be offered by churches of any size or production capability.

Includes songs written or made popular by Michael W. Smith, Keith Getty, Stuart Townend, Matt Maher, Natalie Grant, Tony Wood, Michael Farren, Audrey Assad, and Shelley Johnson. Chamber ensemble instrumentation creates an intimate and compelling experience. Accessible cast requirements: two female characters, one male character - costumes, props, and sets are purely optional. Reader's Theatre script available at www.wordmusic.com. Features early American classics There Is a Fountain and My Song in the Night. Thoughtful benediction, Peace Be with You, or an exuberant and congregational Finale.

SKU: GI.G-6268

UPC: 785147626800. English. Text Source: Psalm 139 Part I, The Psalms of David, 1719. Text by Isaac Watts. Scripture: Psalm 139.

This edition may be performed as a suite of five pieces: In All My Vast Concerns with Thee, Ye Followers of the Prince of Peace, Bright Morning Stars, The Promised Land, and Now Brethren, though We Part.