SKU: HL.48025426

ISBN 9781835680032. UPC: 196288207559.

Silent night: This arrangement of the traditional carol by Franz Gruber and Joseph Muhr (translated into English by John Freeman Young) was written by Anna Lapwood and the Pembroke College GirlsÂ? Choir for their end of term party for the families of the choristers. The aim was to produce an arrangement manageable for the youngest choristers whilst stretching the older ones with some slightly jazzy harmonies. It was written in one 75-minute rehearsal, and performed to the parents straight after. The choir has written a new pieceat the end of every term since. Gaudete: This arrangement of the 16th-century carol was written during a full weekend of group composition with Anna Lapwood and the Pembroke College Girls' Choir, a process with which they had experimented previously. The choir decided to create rhythmic impetus and drive, which is delivered from the outset in the introductory material. This figure is repeated under the refrain for the first three verses, while the verses themselves are presented in simple unison. The final verse is harmonised and crescendos towards the uplifting key change for the final refrain, giving a sense of climax, which may be highlighted further with an optional tambourine.

SKU: GI.G-9992

UPC: 785147999201. Latin. Text Source: from the Requiem Mass.

 This French impressionistic and contemplative work, “In paradisum” (May the angels lead you into paradise ), was added to the original Requiem  by Fauré in 1893. The original 1888 version was heard in Paris in a funeral Mass at La Madeleine with Fauré playing the organ. The text refers to the miracle of eternal rest (“aeternam habeas requiem”). In this edition for treble voices, listeners can hear the continuous fluttering of angel’s wings in the keyboard against the beautifully melodic, mostly unison vocal lines sung by the choir. The rich D major harmonies are developed toward the end of both verses and, finally, in the ending invitation to have eternal rest. About the Series: Doreen Rao, 2019 Robert Shaw Award recipient, launches her culturally inclusive choral series, Global Encounters for Young Voices, featuring accessible treble- and mixed-voice works for developing choirs.

SKU: AP.46416

UPC: 038081527956. English.

A folk-like setting of Maya Angelou's empowering poem, which compares a bird's longing to be liberated with that of all people. Hayes chooses a minor key with plenty of harmonic tension and a walking tempo that suggests the footsteps of those who have come before. The final Picardy third is the ultimate symbol of freedom. This is the second movement from the song cycle Like Dust I Rise.

About Alfred Choral Designs

The Alfred Choral Designs Series provides student and adult choirs with a variety of secular choral music that is useful, practical, educationally appropriate, and a pleasure to sing. To that end, the Choral Designs series features original works, folk song settings, spiritual arrangements, choral masterworks, and holiday selections suitable for use in concerts, festivals, and contests.