(Songbook). By The King's Singers. Arranged by The King's Singers. For choir (one, two, or three-part voices) (Songbook). King's Singer's Choral. Pop Vocal, Traditional Folk, Baroque and Classical Period. Difficulty: easy-medium. Vocal score (one, two and three part rounds). Vocal melody, harmony part and leadsheet notation. 80 pages. Published by Hal Leonard

Band Bass Clarinet, Bassoon 1, Bassoon 2, Clarinet, Clarinet 1, Clarinet 2, Clarinet 3, Contrabass Clarinet, Contrabassoon, English Horn, Flute 1, Flute 2, Oboe 1, Oboe 2, Piccolo, alto Saxophone, soprano Saxophone, tenor Saxophone

SKU: PR.165001000

Hymns for Wind Ensemble. Composed by Dan Welcher. Folio. Set of Score and Parts. 4+24+24+16+8+4+4+24+12+12 +8+4+4+4+4+8+8+8+8+4+4+4+ 4+8+8+8+8+8+8+8+8+4+16+4+ 8+4+8+8+4+4+4+48 pages. Duration 10 minutes, 41 seconds. Theodore Presser Company #165-00100. Published by Theodore Presser Company (PR.165001000).

ISBN 9781491129241. UPC: 680160669776. 9 x 12 inches.

Commissione d for a consortium of high school and college bands in the north Dallas region, FOR THEMYSTIC HARMONY is a 10-minute inspirational work in homage to Norwood and Elizabeth Dixon,patrons of the Fort Worth Symphony and the Van Cliburn Competition. Welcher draws melodic flavorfrom five American hymns, spirituals, and folk tunes of the 19th century. The last of these sources toappear is the hymn tune For the Beauty of the Earth, whose third stanza is the quatrain: “For the joy of earand eye, For the heart and mind’s delight, For the mystic harmony, Linking sense to sound and sight,”giving rise to the work’s title.
This work, commissioned for a consortium of high school bands in the north Dallas area, is my fifteenth maturework for wind ensemble (not counting transcriptions). When I asked Todd Dixon, the band director whospearheaded this project, what kind of a work he most wanted, he first said “something that’s basically slow,” butwanted to leave the details to me. During a long subsequent conversation, he mentioned that his grandparents,Norwood and Elizabeth Dixon, were prime supporters of the Fort Worth Symphony, going so far as to purchase anumber of high quality instruments for that orchestra. This intrigued me, so I asked more about his grandparentsand was provided an 80-page biographical sketch. Reading that article, including a long section about theirdevotion to supporting a young man through the rigors of the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition fora number of years, moved me very much. Norwood and Elizabeth Dixon weren’t just supporters of the arts; theywere passionate lovers of music and musicians. I determined to make this work a testament to that love, and tothe religious faith that sustained them both. The idea of using extant hymns was also suggested by Todd Dixon,and this 10-minute work is the result.I have employed existing melodies in several works, delving into certain kinds of religious music more than a fewtimes. In seeking new sounds, new ways of harmonizing old tunes, and the contrapuntal overlaying of one tunewith another, I was able to make works like ZION (using 19th-century Revivalist hymns) and LABORING SONGS(using Shaker melodies) reflect the spirit of the composers who created these melodies, without sounding likepastiches or medleys. I determined to do the same with this new work, with the added problem of employingmelodies that were more familiar. I chose five tunes from the 19th century: hymns, spirituals, and folk-tunes.Some of these are known by differing titles, but they all appear in hymnals of various Christian denominations(with various titles and texts). My idea was to employ the tunes without altering their notes, instead using aconstantly modulating sense of harmony — sometimes leading to polytonal harmonizations of what are normallysimple four-chord hymns.The work begins and ends with a repeated chime on the note C: a reminder of steeples, white clapboard churchesin the country, and small church organs. Beginning with a Mixolydian folk tune of Caribbean origin presentedtwice with layered entrances, the work starts with a feeling of mystery and gentle sorrow. It proceeds, after along transition, into a second hymn that is sometimes connected to the sea (hence the sensation of water andwaves throughout it). This tune, by John B. Dykes (1823-1876), is a bit more chromatic and “shifty” than mosthymn-tunes, so I chose to play with the constant sensation of modulation even more than the original does. Atthe climax, the familiar spiritual “Were you there?” takes over, with a double-time polytonal feeling propelling itforward at “Sometimes it causes me to tremble.”Trumpets in counterpoint raise the temperature, and the tempo as well, leading the music into a third tune (ofunknown provenance, though it appears with different texts in various hymnals) that is presented in a sprightlymanner. Bassoons introduce the melody, but it is quickly taken up by other instruments over three “verses,”cons tantly growing in orchestration and volume. A mysterious second tune, unrelated to this one, interrupts it inall three verses, sending the melody into unknown regions.The final melody is “For the Beauty of the Earth.” This tune by Conrad Kocher (1786-1872) is commonly sung atThanksgiving — the perfect choice to end this work celebrating two people known for their generosity.Keeping the sense of constant modulation that has been present throughout, I chose to present this hymn in threegrowing verses, but with a twist: every four bars, the “key” of the hymn seems to shift — until the “Lord of all, toThee we praise” melody bursts out in a surprising compound meter. This, as it turns out, was the “mystery tune”heard earlier in the piece. After an Ivesian, almost polytonal climax, the Coda begins over a long B( pedal. At first,it seems to be a restatement of the first two phrases of “For the Beauty” with long spaces between them, but it soonchanges to a series of “Amen” cadences, widely separated by range and color. These, too, do not conform to anykey, but instead overlay each other in ways that are unpredictable but strangely comforting.The third verse of “For the Beauty of the Earth” contains this quatrain:“For the joy of ear and eye, –For the heart and mind’s delightFor the mystic harmonyLinking sense to sound and sight”and it was from this poetry that I drew the title for the present work. It is my hope that audiences and performerswill find within it a sense of grace: more than a little familiar, but also quite new and unexpected.

Choral (Studiotrax CD)

SKU: HL.35031249

Composed by William H. Doane. Arranged by Brad Nix and Jon Paige. Shawnee Sacred. Anthem, Congregation, General Worship, Hymn, Sacred. CD. Duration 265 seconds. Published by Shawnee Press (HL.35031249).

UPC: 888680643317. 5.0x5.0x0.14 inches. Arr. Brad Nix/Jon Paige.

Uses: General Scripture: Psalm 96:1-9; Romans 11:33-36 This powerful choir and congregation hymn arrangement brings voices, brass, handbells and timpani together. Written in the classic concertato format, the opening and closing flourishes act as festive bookends to this celebrated hymn of gratitude and praise. Proper part-writing ensures success and will build the confidence of your singers. Grand! Score and Parts (tpt 1-2, tbn 1-2, timp) available as a digital download. Part for Handbells (3 oct.) also available as a digital download.

Concert Band/Harmonie - Grade 3

SKU: BT.GOB-000326-010

Composed by Andrew R. Mackereth. Set (Score & Parts). 81 pages. Gobelin Music Publications #GOB 000326-010. Published by Gobelin Music Publications (BT.GOB-000326-010).

A majestic opening which gets a thoroughly sparkling musical follow-up, captivating ensemble and a very well-known hymn are the ingredients of Keep me praising by Andrew Mackareth from the English town of Nuneaton.
His music sets itself apart through it scintillating vitality and spontanity. His feeling for style and melody makes this flashing work into a beautifully balanced composition which will undoubtedly find its way into the concert-stage.
Influences from both jazz and rock furthermore make it an absolute hit. Een majestueuze opening , een spetterend vervolg, bekende hymnes en technische uitdaging zijn de ingrediënten van Keep me Praising.
De muziek vanAndrew Mackereth, uit het Engelse Nuneaton, kenmerkt zich door veelzijdigheid.
Gebaseerd op Sing Hosanna en Praise my soul.
Een aanrader!

Gobelin Music Publications.

Fanfare Band

SKU: BT.GOB-001121-020

Composed by Carl Wittrock. Set (Score & Parts). 74 pages. Gobelin Music Publications #GOB 001121-020. Published by Gobelin Music Publications (BT.GOB-001121-020).

This composition, based on the hymn Praise to the Lord, is comprised of eight separate parts that can be played together as a concert piece or opening work. The A and B sections are different openings, C is four-part arrangement of the hymn, D is a solo for four saxophones, or two trumpets and two trombones, E is a calm intermezzo, F a solo for trumpet or cornet, and G and F finally are a majestic or peaceful closing section. How will you choose to present this piece on stage?

Deze compositie bestaat uit acht op zich zelfstaande delen die u zelf tot een concert- of openingswerk kunt samenstellen. Het is gebaseerd op het kerkelijke lied Lof zij de Heer. De delen A en B bieden twee verschillende openingen.C is een vierstemmig deel van het lied. D is dedoeld als solo voor vier saxofoons of twee trompetten en twee trombones. E is een rustig intermezzo. F bevat een solo voor trompet of cornet. Met G of H tenslotte kunt u hetwerk óf majestueus óf rustig besluiten. En..? Weet u al hoe u dit prachtige werk gaat uitvoeren?

Diese Komposition, die auf dem Kirchenlied Lobet den Herren basiert, besteht aus acht einzelnen Teilen, die individuell zu einem Konzert oder Eröffnungswerk zusammengestellt werden können. Die Teile A und B sind unterschiedliche Eröffnungen, C ein vierstimmiger Satz des Liedes, D ist für ein Solo für vier Saxophone oder zwei Trompeten und zwei Posaunen, E ein ruhiges Intermezzo, F ein Solo für Trompete oder Kornett und G und F schließlich ein majestätischer oder ein ruhiger Schlussteil. Wie wollen Sie dieses prachtvolle Stück auf die Bühne bringen?

Carl Wittrock est né en 1966 Goor (Pays-Bas). Sa carrière musicale a commencé la musique de Goor, où il a étudié le violon et la clarinette. Depuis 1984, il dirige des orchestres différents et il est également professeur de musique. Il composa sa première pièce en 1985. Depuis, son talent n’a cessé de croître, résolument tourné vers un sytle inspiré et novateur. Avec Praise to the Lord (Loué soit le Seigneur) Carl Wittrock signe une pièce émotionnelle dont la ligne mélodique et lumineuse accompagnera toutes vos cérémonies religieuses.

Quest a composizione che si basa sulla canto religioso Lobet den Herrn, si compone di otto parti che possono essere combinate a piacere per un concerto o come brano di apertura. Le parti A e B sono brani di apertura diversi, C un movimento a quattro voci del canto, D è un solo per quattro sassofoni o due trombe o due tromboni, E un calmo intermezzo, F un solo per tromba o cornetta. G e F propongono un finale maestoso o calmo.

Fanfare Band

SKU: BT.GOB-001121-120

Composed by Carl Wittrock. Score Only. 12 pages. Gobelin Music Publications #GOB 001121-120. Published by Gobelin Music Publications (BT.GOB-001121-120).

This composition, based on the hymn Praise to the Lord, is comprised of eight separate parts that can be played together as a concert piece or opening work. The A and B sections are different openings, C is four-part arrangement of the hymn, D is a solo for four saxophones, or two trumpets and two trombones, E is a calm intermezzo, F a solo for trumpet or cornet, and G and F finally are a majestic or peaceful closing section. How will you choose to present this piece on stage?

Deze compositie bestaat uit acht op zich zelfstaande delen die u zelf tot een concert- of openingswerk kunt samenstellen. Het is gebaseerd op het kerkelijke lied Lof zij de Heer. De delen A en B bieden twee verschillende openingen.C is een vierstemmig deel van het lied. D is dedoeld als solo voor vier saxofoons of twee trompetten en twee trombones. E is een rustig intermezzo. F bevat een solo voor trompet of cornet. Met G of H tenslotte kunt u hetwerk óf majestueus óf rustig besluiten. En..? Weet u al hoe u dit prachtige werk gaat uitvoeren?

Diese Komposition, die auf dem Kirchenlied Lobet den Herren basiert, besteht aus acht einzelnen Teilen, die individuell zu einem Konzert oder Eröffnungswerk zusammengestellt werden können. Die Teile A und B sind unterschiedliche Eröffnungen, C ein vierstimmiger Satz des Liedes, D ist für ein Solo für vier Saxophone oder zwei Trompeten und zwei Posaunen, E ein ruhiges Intermezzo, F ein Solo für Trompete oder Kornett und G und F schließlich ein majestätischer oder ein ruhiger Schlussteil. Wie wollen Sie dieses prachtvolle Stück auf die Bühne bringen?

Carl Wittrock est né en 1966 Goor (Pays-Bas). Sa carrière musicale a commencé la musique de Goor, où il a étudié le violon et la clarinette. Depuis 1984, il dirige des orchestres différents et il est également professeur de musique. Il composa sa première pièce en 1985. Depuis, son talent n’a cessé de croître, résolument tourné vers un sytle inspiré et novateur. Avec Praise to the Lord (Loué soit le Seigneur) Carl Wittrock signe une pièce émotionnelle dont la ligne mélodique et lumineuse accompagnera toutes vos cérémonies religieuses.

Quest a composizione che si basa sulla canto religioso Lobet den Herrn, si compone di otto parti che possono essere combinate a piacere per un concerto o come brano di apertura. Le parti A e B sono brani di apertura diversi, C un movimento a quattro voci del canto, D è un solo per quattro sassofoni o due trombe o due tromboni, E un calmo intermezzo, F un solo per tromba o cornetta. G e F propongono un finale maestoso o calmo.

TTBB choir - Moderate

SKU: LP.OR-9269

Dynamic Praise for Men. Arranged by Russell Mauldin. Choral. Multicultural and Sacred. Score and parts. Published by Lillenas Publishing Company (LP.OR-9269).

UPC: 765762128507.

Twelv e arrangements with a mildly contemporary feel have received a fresh treatment from arranger Russell Mauldin. High energy praise - All Ye People; Psalms of Praise Expressive songs of worship - Holy You Are Holy; In the Presence of Jehovah A little southern gospel - Hard Trials Will Soon Be Over; Call Home Joyous songs of the kingdom - Singin' with the Saints; Jesus Lifted Me All this and six more arrangements make Singin' with the Saints a usable energetic compilation that men's choirs ensembles and quartets will love. In a word it's...well DYNAMIC .

Choral Cello, Flute, Harp, Oboe, Percussion, Piano, Viola, Violin 1, Violin 2, alto voice, bass voice, soprano voice, tenor voice

SKU: PR.31241902A

From Terra Nostra. Composed by Stacy Garrop. Set of Score and Parts. Duration 3:15. Theodore Presser Company #312-41902A. Published by Theodore Presser Company (PR.31241902A).

UPC: 680160690510. English.

Commission ed 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?

Choral (Studiotrax CD)

SKU: HL.35030571

With Immortal, Invisible. Composed by Donald Harris and Gary Sadler. Arranged by Heather Sorenson. Shawnee Sacred. Anthem, Blended Worship, General Worship, Praise and Worship, Sacred. CD only. Published by Shawnee Press (HL.35030571).

UPC: 888680085872. 5x5 inches.

Joining two worship traditions into one powerful proclamation of faith, this octavo will be useful and meaningful to blended choirs. Lifting hearts and voices before the holiness of God, this popular praise song is perfectly wed to the traditional hymn by carefully combining strong unison singing with modern harmonies that soar with a distinctive power. A must do! Score and Parts (fl, hn, vn 1-2, va, vc, db) available as a digital download.

SATB choir

SKU: LP.OR-2645

Arranged by Mike Speck, Cliff Duren & Danny Zaloudik. This edition: Loose-Leaf. Anthems. Southern Gospel and Sacred. Score and parts. Published by Lillenas Publishing Company (LP.OR-2645).

UPC: 765762078307.

Choir s of all sizes enjoy this high energy medley especially suitable as a service opener. Your congregation will love singing along on this Mike Speck offering. Songs included in the medley: We Have Come into This House; Praise the Lord; Come on Let's Praise Him .

Brass quintet and percussion

SKU: LO.30-2585L

Composed by Thomas Fettke. Choral. Sacred Anthem, Christ the King, General, Thanksgiving. Score and parts. Lorenz Publishing Company #30/2585L. Published by Lorenz Publishing Company (LO.30-2585L).

UPC: 000308125092.

With brilliant fanfare in grateful praise to the living God, “Thanks and Blessing Flow” masterfully incorporates the traditional “Now Thank We All Our God” with a new setting of the doxology text. Your choir will sound rich and full with Tom Fettke’s masterful choral texture. Optional congregational singing and solo trumpet or brass and percussion add to its splendor.

Orchestration Choral (Score & Parts)

SKU: HL.35016906

Composed by Joseph M. Martin. Shawnee Sacred. Print on demand - publisher prints this title after order is received. General Worship. Shawnee Press #LB5802. Published by Shawnee Press (HL.35016906).

UPC: 747510071136. 8.75x14.0x0.412 inches.

This may be the quintessential opening to any worship service. Using choir, congregation and orchestra to call the service to purpose, this inspiring octavo will be performed again and again to encourage the faithful. Incorporating the beloved hymn, Come, Christians, Join to Sing, your choir and congregation will resonate immediately with this towering anthem of praise.

Fanfare Band - Grade 3

SKU: BT.GOB-000302-020

Composed by Andrew R. Mackereth. Set (Score & Parts). 10 pages. Gobelin Music Publications #GOB 000302-020. Published by Gobelin Music Publications (BT.GOB-000302-020).

A majestic opening which gets a thoroughly sparkling musical follow-up, captivating ensemble and a very well-known hymn are the ingredients of Keep me praising by Andrew Mackareth from the English town of Nuneaton.
His music sets itself apart through it scintillating vitality and spontanity. His feeling for style and melody makes this flashing work into a beautifully balanced composition which will undoubtedly find its way into the concert-stage.
Influences from both jazz and rock furthermore make it an absolute hit. Een majestueuze opening , een spetterend vervolg, bekende hymnes en technische uitdaging zijn de ingrediënten van Keep me Praising.
De muziek van AndrewMackereth, uit het Engelse Nuneaton, kenmerkt zich door veelzijdigheid.
Gebaseerd op Sing Hosanna en Praise my soul.
Een aanrader!

Gobelin Music Publications.

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.

Orga nist 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).

Arranged by Geron Davis/Bradley Knight. (SATB). Integrity Choral. 152 pages. Published by Integrity Music.

Concert Band/Harmonie - Grade 3

SKU: BT.CMP-0740-03-140

Psalm 150. Composed by Timothy Johnson. Praise and Adoration Series. Hymns & Chorals. Score Only. Composed 2003. 36 pages. Curnow Music #CMP 0740-03-140. Published by Curnow Music (BT.CMP-0740-03-140).

This remarkably inventive setting of Psalm 150 will move and inspire your audience! Eight different instruments are mentioned in this Psalm, and the music reflects the character of the references. Though an uplifting band work onits own merit, optional parts include narrator and/or audience sing-along parts. Open this up to deliver a joyous scriptural message with dramatic power.

Choral SATB Choir and Piano

SKU: PR.312419020

From Terra Nostra. Composed by Stacy Garrop. Sws. Performance Score. 12 pages. Duration 3:15. Theodore Presser Company #312-41902. Published by Theodore Presser Company (PR.312419020).

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

Commission ed 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?

Choral Cello, Flute, Harp, Oboe, Percussion, Piano, Viola, Violin 1, Violin 2, alto voice, bass voice, soprano voice, tenor voice

SKU: PR.31241902S

From Terra Nostra. Composed by Stacy Garrop. Full score. Duration 3:15. Theodore Presser Company #312-41902S. Published by Theodore Presser Company (PR.31241902S).

UPC: 680160690589. English.

Commission ed 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?