Elena Sharkova Choral Series-The Colorado all-state treble choir stood outside their hotel rooms many stories high singers at all levels singing this arrangement into the attrium in the center. The sound was compelling and so it was recorded on someone's iPhone and posted on YouTube. Then it went viral. The next you know it was programmed for the ACDA National Convention. It is a stunning arrangement that builds just right.
Written for the inauguration of a new college president the opening fanfare imm...(+)
Written for the inauguration of a new college president the opening fanfare immediately catches your attention. Vijay Singh is a well-deserving celebrated composer. His words and music convey vivid images that move singers and listeners alike. Following the fanfare is a softer section singing how a rose well-bred will bloom. The fanfare returns in an eruption of joy. This song of celebration is an excellent concert opener or festival tune for high school or college choirs. Easy to medium in difficulty.
Selected for the Jefferson Johnson Male Chorus series Nick Johnson creates a st...(+)
Selected for the Jefferson Johnson Male Chorus series Nick Johnson creates a stirring rendition of Sara Teasdale's poem. Stunning chords with delicate dissonances emerge in phrase after phrase. The words beautifully share an expression of love that the music carries with ease and warmth.
Simplicity often gives way to purity and beauty and that is the case with James...(+)
Simplicity often gives way to purity and beauty and that is the case with James Gosslers setting of this Irish room blessing. Serving as a concert closer or benediction the words bring peace and comfort. The music is equally serene written in achorale style.
It is the words to the famous English carol you expect but the music is a pleas...(+)
It is the words to the famous English carol you expect but the music is a pleasant surprise. The rolling piano part is reminiscent of a harp and sets the dance in motion. The vocal lines are buoyant and flowing. The harmonies are not what you expect from Burchard and the unexpected change is delightful.
Daniel Hughes has arranged this delightful English folk song as a madrigal. A jo...(+)
Daniel Hughes has arranged this delightful English folk song as a madrigal. A jovial piece that encourages partying with a most proper spirit the music serves well at any concert or madrigal dinner feast. College and community choirs will find this piece as a perfect fit for the Christmas season or anytime when partying flourishes. Medium difficulty.
This young writer produces music that is fresh and mature. Following an opening ...(+)
This young writer produces music that is fresh and mature. Following an opening fanfare the piece dives into a delightful 11/8 rhythm that feels natural and fun. Through rhythmic and key center changes we follow a traditional text of praise in Latin.
Peter Assad composed both the text and music for this madrigal. The text can sta...(+)
Peter Assad composed both the text and music for this madrigal. The text can stand for the uniqueness of a snowflake as the title dictates or metaphorically for someone else as perhaps the dedication to his wife connotes. The gentle harmonies depicta style reminiscent of the early 20th century and the word painting is tender and clear. Advanced high school college and community choirs will enjoy this lovely piece in winter concerts or whenever snowflakes are near. Medium difficulty.
At the request of a publisher Beethoven provided simple folk song arrangements w...(+)
At the request of a publisher Beethoven provided simple folk song arrangements which could be performed by amateur musicians. Between the years of 1809 and 1820 he set about 150 Welsh English Irish Scottish and even some German folk songs. All areaccompanied by violin cello and piano. The SAB voicing and repeated verses make this not only a great classic to perform but easily learned. Excellent for high school and some advanced middle school choirs. Easy.
Justin Miller the amazing conductor of the Westminster Men's Chorus launches h...(+)
Justin Miller the amazing conductor of the Westminster Men's Chorus launches his choral series with this beautiful work by Richard Burchard. This is a complex piece with multiple divisi two solo parts and a text about visions and dreams based on Acts 2:17-18. Rather than English Burchard selected Latin which is more fitting for the concert hall. Your male choir's efforts will be well-rewarded with a significant artistic statement. Difficult but worth the effort.
Originally released for male choir this revoicing evokes the mournfulness surro...(+)
Originally released for male choir this revoicing evokes the mournfulness surrounding the crucifixion of Christ. Burchard's flowing lines in and out of alluring suspensions keeps us immersed in the sweet tension of the Latin text. But our struggles are beautifully rewarded as the piece quietly ends in the major tonality. A wonderful Lenten or Communion anthem for the advanced church choir or a concert piece for community or college choirs. Medium in difficulty.
This sacred text focuses on the crucifixion but this is a concert work display...(+)
This sacred text focuses on the crucifixion but this is a concert work displaying a treatment of ancient liturgy with beauty and emotion. Good high school and college male voice choirs.
This a cappella setting includes a soprano solo voice that begins the piece alon...(+)
This a cappella setting includes a soprano solo voice that begins the piece alone and ends it over the choir's soft voices. A very tonal setting that permits the dissonances to ocurr naturally as voices cross. The harmonic changes are delicate and sensible. The result is a transparent setting that works in both church and schools. Easy to medium in difficulty.
Emile Paladilhe (1844-1926) was a French composer whose compositions epitomize t...(+)
Emile Paladilhe (1844-1926) was a French composer whose compositions epitomize the French late Romantic style. The fluid melody bounces gently on a buoyant and beckoning harmonic stream which is also what the opening text describes. Excellent fortreble choirs high school and older.
It would be more appropriate to label this piece as a composition for piano and ...(+)
It would be more appropriate to label this piece as a composition for piano and divisi treble voices because the accompaniment is equally significant to the singers. A stimulating and thought-provoking musical setting the textfrom Lord Byron applauds nature and that which is larger than ourselves.
This SATB work is a fantastic musical setting of Walt Whitman's poem hat require...(+)
This SATB work is a fantastic musical setting of Walt Whitman's poem hat requires an advanced high school or collegiate choir. The pianist will enjoy the opportunity to make full use of the keyboard as they paint the picture of a vast prairie prior to the first bold entrance of the vocal ensemble. For high school community and college choirs. Medium difficulty.
Using a beautiful accompaniment by Robert Schumann as the foundation Tom Cuffar...(+)
Using a beautiful accompaniment by Robert Schumann as the foundation Tom Cuffari generates a setting of the Ave Maris Stella (Hail Star of the Sea) text in Latin for SSA voices. The match is so complementary you would think it was all Schumann. Ahandsome concert piece for high school college or community treble choirs. Medium difficulty.
Conjuring up visions of American Indians with their horses on an early morning i...(+)
Conjuring up visions of American Indians with their horses on an early morning in Montana or Wyoming Vijay Singh has composed a marvelous festival piece for high school choirs.
Commissioned by Jefferson Johnson and now part of his male chorus series here i...(+)
Commissioned by Jefferson Johnson and now part of his male chorus series here is another excellent arrangement by Stacey V. Gibbs. An ideal choice for fine high school or college men's choirs.
From the Elena Sharkova series comes an excellent setting of the Poem by John Ke...(+)
From the Elena Sharkova series comes an excellent setting of the Poem by John Keats. Composer Karuna Sangam a former student of Elena's sets the text in 7/8 which gives the entire piece a lift. Keeping an English folk song flavor Sangam's tune carries the poet's message to fret not knowing that more good will come. For trebel choirs of all ages easy to medium in difficulty.
This powerfully descriptive piece by Paul Doust uses programmatic musical elemen...(+)
This powerfully descriptive piece by Paul Doust uses programmatic musical elements that mirror the lyrics. The text is an anonymous Gaelic blessing with poetic words and images. Paul's setting is fresh and metaphoric and very satisfying. Good for advanced high school college and communtiy ensembles. Medium to difficult.
Here's a fabulously entertaining medley of tunes from Gilbert and Sullivan's Pir...(+)
Here's a fabulously entertaining medley of tunes from Gilbert and Sullivan's Pirates of Penzance. The humor and fun was already there but Johnie Dean's arrangement kicks it up several notches. This will be a favorite for high school community and college men's choirs.