(A Tribute to the Blues Brothers)-From their founding in 1978 as part of a Saturday Night Live sketch the duo known as the Blues Brothers has been an ongoing musical phenomenon. Enjoy 8 minutes of non-stop entertainment with this medley featuring their songs including: I Can't Turn You Loose Soul Man I Got Everything I Need Do You Love Me. Available separately: SATB SAB TTBB ShowTrax CD. Combo parts available digitally (tpt1 tpt2 tsx tbn barsx gtr b dm). Duration: ca. 6:25.

In his use of authentic Englsh folksongs Gnostic texts and Vedic hymns one can discern Holst’s search for a compositional Voice beyond the constraints of the European canon in the early 1900’s. In 1916 hepublished Six Choral Folk Songs of which Cornish folk tune I Love My Love is the fifth number.The song is a tale of a girl ‘in Bedlam’ who awaits her love’s return from the sea. It moves into Dorian mode and outagain with a particularly effective sighing motif in the middle section. Gustav Holst has earned a place among the most revered of late 19th and early 20th century composers and is best known for his enduring Orchestral suite ThePlanets.

The traditional text with spiritual roots has been adapted by the composer. With an unadorned melody set in a simple but beautiful musical language with open transparent harmonies this music can be sung well by groups of many different abilities and in many situations. Duration: 3:00.

Spiritual-Composer Bryan Greer arranges this popular spiritual for male chorus (TTBB) with piano. The enticing setting would work well for glee clubs church or community choirs. Consider it for a spring concert worship setting or American music month.

Four poems sharing a common motif of 'Night' provide the texts for my choral cycle Nocturnes the American Choral Directors Association's commissioned work for its 2005 national convention. For Rilke's atmospheric “Sa nuit d'ete ” several melodic themes are supported by dense colorful harmonies in both the choral and piano parts leading to a climactic section where all are combined and stated simultaneously. Neruda's “Soneto de la Noche ” from his Cien Sonetos de Amor speaks of an eternal love that transcends death while reaffirming life. My a cappella setting of this gorgeous poem is predominantly quiet serene and folk-like utilizing direct harmonies accompanying long lyrical vocal lines. Agee's wondrous “Sure on this Shining Night” is set much like a song from the American musical theater a genre for which I have held a life-long esteem. Rilke's poignant “Voici le soir” recalls the opening bell sounds and jazz-tinged chords of the first movement and serves as an epilogue quietly concluding this cycle of night songs as darkness descends.