SKU: CF.CM9635

ISBN 9781491157077. UPC: 680160915637. 6.875 x 10.5 inches. Key: E major. English, English. Abram Joseph Ryan (1838-1886).

Victor Johnson captures the mystery and nuance of the bittersweet poem, Wake Me a Song, by American poet, Abram Joseph Ryan. Nuance, text, and Johnson's rich harmonies paired with intertwining textures make this a noteworthy addition to any program. Also available for SATB Voices (CM9561).
About the Author Abram Joseph Ryan was born Matthew Abraham Ryan on February 5, 1838 in Hagerstown, Maryland. As a young man, Ryan and his family moved west St. Louis, Missouri, where he was educated at the Christian Brothers School. He studied for the priesthood at Niagra University in New York State and was ordained a priest in the Vincentian order on November 1, 1856. He taught theology, first at Niagra university and then at the diocesan seminary in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, until the beginning of the war between the states. Father Ryan enlisted in the army on September 1, 1862, and served as a chaplain throughout the conflict, carrying the wounded to safety and performing last rites on the battlefield. His first piece of poetry was inspired by the death of a younger brother while serving in the army. After the war, he established a weekly literary magazine in which most of his poetry was published. He also put out several volumes of poetry, including Father Ryan's Poems and A Crown for Our Queen. Father Ryan died on April 22, 1886 at a Franciscan monastery in Louisville, Kentucky. About the Song Wake Me A Song is an inspired and sensitive setting of the 19th-century poem by Abram Joseph Ryan. It features sweeping melodic lines, rich harmonies, and a flowingly beautiful accompaniment. To master a performance of this selection, singers must perform very expressively, paying close attention to such musical aspects as phrase shaping, the rise and fall of the melodic line, blending and proper intonation between sections. One strategy that could be used to ensure proper phrasing is the idea of Painting the Phrase. The singer should make a motion as if they have a paintbrush in their hand and paint the melodic line and phrase shape as if they are painting with a nice, flowing brush stroke. One could think about painting a rainbow or an arch to show the rise and fall of the line and/or phrase. The director can also show this gesture while conducting to reinforce this concept.
About the AuthorAbram Joseph Ryan was born Matthew Abraham Ryan on February 5, 1838 in Hagerstown, Maryland. As a young man, Ryan and his family moved west St. Louis, Missouri, where he was educated at the Christian Brothers School. He studied for the priesthood at Niagra University in New York State and was ordained a priest in the Vincentian order on November 1, 1856. He taught theology, first at Niagra university and then at the diocesan seminary in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, until the beginning of the war between the states.Father Ryan enlisted in the army on September 1, 1862, and served as a chaplain throughout the conflict, carrying the wounded to safety and performing last rites on the battlefield. His first piece of poetry was inspired by the death of a younger brother while serving in the army. After the war, he established a weekly literary magazine in which most of his poetry was published. He also put out several volumes of poetry, including Father Ryan's Poems and A Crown for Our Queen. Father Ryan died on April 22, 1886 at a Franciscan monastery in Louisville, Kentucky.About the SongWake Me A Song is an inspired and sensitive setting of the 19th-century poem by Abram Joseph Ryan. It features sweeping melodic lines, rich harmonies, and a flowingly beautiful accompaniment.To master a performance of this selection, singers must perform very expressively, paying close attention to such musical aspects as phrase shaping, the rise and fall of the melodic line, blending and proper intonation between sections.One strategy that could be used to ensure proper phrasing is the idea of “Painting the Phrase.” The singer should make a motion as if they have a paintbrush in their hand and “paint” the melodic line and phrase shape as if they are painting with a nice, flowing brush stroke. One could think about painting a rainbow or an arch to show the rise and fall of the line and/or phrase. The director can also show this gesture while conducting to reinforce this concept.

SKU: CF.CAS98

ISBN 9781491146583. UPC: 680160904082. 9 x 12 inches. Key: G major.

Composer Bud Woodruff takes his musical inspiration for Adventurer's Dream from a rooster named Wally. Mr. Woodruff turns this charming four-note crow into the main thematic material for this piece that is reminiscent of classic movie scores.
The principal theme to this piece has an interesting history . We had a very young rooster named Wally . He had a quite rhythmic four-pitched crow, which was very unique and consistent . As he aged, his crow settled into pitches and the opening melodic figure of this piece is the very pitches and rhythm of Wally’s crow . However, Wally had a touch of a glissando between the last two pitches, which I chose to eliminate, for musicality’s sake . Wally's crow is spun out in different ways and used one way or another in all the sections of the piece . Wally was a very energetic, if not egotistical, young bird, and the piece should be performed accordingly, in a dashing, swashbuckling, heroic style, which Wally would appreciate greatly and agree that it was very appropriate!Rehearsal suggestions:The most difficult thing to accomplish in this work will be deciding if you want the repeated eight-note figure on the string or off the string . I don’t care as long as it sounds staccato . On the string, it needs to be played at or by the camber point; off the string, that point will change depending upon your tempo, but the stroke itself should remain consistent .Although the basses never have the melody, they are a critically important section and can make or break this piece . Their part counters the others and fills in rhythmic gaps in a number of places . It needs to be played aggressively and metronomically; they are the glue that makes the piece work . The cellos need to sing for all they are worth at m . 63 and do so with joy in their hands . Their theme needs to be very lyrical and smooth . The countermelody at m . 79 should be understated, yet not buried while being intertwined with the cellos’ theme . It harkens back to the main theme and needs a dreamy quality to it .The piece was written as a string orchestra piece . The optional harp part was added later and is not necessary for an effective performance of the piece . However, it does add some extra variety and color to the piece, and reinforces the basses when they fill in those rhythmic gaps to which I referred earlier .A very special thanks goes to harpist Jane Minnis for the great and insightful suggestions for this part .Thank you for playing this piece . I trust you will enjoy it as much as I do .

About Carl Fischer Concert String Orchestra Series

This series of pieces (Grade 3 and higher) is designed for advancing ensembles. The pieces in this series are characterized by:

• Expanded use of rhythms, ranges and keys but technical demands are still carefully considered
• More comprehensive bowing techniques
• Viola T.C. included
• Careful selection of keys and degree of difficulty for advancing musicians

SKU: KN.35355

UPC: 822795353556.

Spooky and rhythmically energetic, the chromatic alteration between C-natural and C-sharp will give students opportunities to develop their left hand intonation. This piece includes arco and pizzicato, long and short bow strokes, bow lifts, and a variety of dynamic contrasts and interesting melodic material for all. Viola is doubled with Violin 2 throughout, and Double Bass is doubled with Cello. Duration 3:10.

SKU: AP.47459S

UPC: 038081548920. English.

A great concert closer or opener, this piece is rhythmic and dance-like with a reflective lyric section and melodic parts for every instrument section. Musically sophisticated but written completely in 1st position, this piece will be fun for students to play while they develop their accented and legato bow strokes. (Correlates with Sound Innovations for String Orchestra, Book 1, Level 2).

SKU: AP.46710S

UPC: 038081539560. English.

An elegant, beautiful, sophisticated, and lyric piece in C Major, this new work includes melodic content for all, particularly the cellos. With opportunities for practicing shifting and developing musicality, it will suit any concert and is perfect for serious settings. Moment at Angels Landing by Bob Phillips provides great practice in 2nd and 3rd positions for violins and violas as well as 3rd and 4th positions for cellos and basses. There is some upper position work for the 1st violins---presented in divisi, so it is not required of all students. All students will have opportunities to work on a sustained and legato sound with connected bow strokes and sensitive phrasing.