SAB choir, cantor, priest, assembly, keyboard accompaniment, 2 C instruments, cello, guitar - Early intermediate

SKU: GI.G-9730

Composed by Marty Haugen. Mass. Sacred. With guitar chord names. 40 pages. GIA Publications #9730. Published by GIA Publications (GI.G-9730).

UPC: 785147973003. English, Spanish. Text Source: Revised Order of Mass 2010, Lectionary for Mass

Over the past few years, as I have experienced the radical cultural transformation of Roman Catholic communities in the United States, I decided that I wanted to create something in response and support. Mass of Creation went through multiple revisions—into a Protestant version, a revised (2010) text version and a bilingual version. At each transition, the music struggled (I believe) to make the text “sing” as it had with the original version. With the Mass of Reconciliation / Misa de Reconciliación, I began with the premise that the text would be created to be sung throughout either in English or Spanish. My hope was that faith communities that had Masses in both languages might learn the mass setting in their own language and, when they came together for major feast days (Christmas Eve/Day, Easter Vigil/Day, and other celebrations) they could each sing with confidence and passion a setting in their own language.

By Larry Shackley. For SAB choir and piano (with optional orchestra). Instrumental parts with accompaniment CD. Published by Lorenz Publishing Company

Choir Sacred (SAB choir/3-Part choir Mixed)

SKU: AP.47639

Composed by Cliff Goldmacher and Lisa Loeb. Arranged by Andy Beck. Performance Music Ensemble; Single Titles. Alfred Pop Choral Series. Chanukah; Holiday Pops; Sacred. Choral Octavo. 12 pages. Alfred Music #00-47639. Published by Alfred Music (AP.47639).

UPC: 038081543321. English.

A folk-infused ballad celebrating the miracle of Hanukkah. Originally recorded by 90s pop sensation Lisa Loeb, this reflective change-of-pace choral features a rhythmic yet mellow accompaniment and straightforward but expressive vocal parts. Whether you perform with the guitar-inspired piano part, the optional SoundTrax CD, or a folk ensemble of your own, this is truly a special touch for holiday concerts.

Because of changes in our school's schedule and the taking away of the music requirement in 7th and 8th grade, our choir numbers have dropped significantly. Searching for music that has educational value and that the choir will sound good on (we know that's important for the parents and faculty) I came across Light arranged by Andy Beck. This quickly became a favorite of my choir! The kids are excited to rehearse it every day and the sound they are achieving fits the folk-like feel of the piece.

We are using the 2-Part version. Being 7th and 8th graders, of my nine boys, three are unchanged voices (singing alto as written) and my other six are in varying stages of voice change. Those six are bouncing back and forth between alto and soprano parts, singing them down an octave.

Thank you for providing a great piece for the holiday season!

Matt Albrecht
Choir Director
Copley-Fairla wn Middle School

About Alfred Pop Choral Series

The Alfred Pop Series features outstanding arrangements of songs from the popular music genre. These publications provide exciting, contemporary, and educationally-sound arrangements for singers of all ages, from elementary through high school, to college and adult choirs.

Arranged by Teena Chinn. For Choir. (3-part Mixed). Choral Octavo. Broadway. Level: Moderate (grade 3). Choral Octavo. 108 pages. Published by Alfred Publishing.

By The Beatles. Arranged by Alan Billingsley. Pop Choral Series. Choral, Concert, Rock, Sixties. Octavo. Published by Hal Leonard

Choral SSA choir, piano

SKU: CF.CM9773

Composed by Brady Weldon. Duration 2 minutes, 49 seconds. Carl Fischer Music #CM9773. Published by Carl Fischer Music (CF.CM9773).

ISBN 9781491164440. UPC: 680160923342. Key: C# minor. English. Christina Rossetti.

In the bleak midwinter, frosty wind made moan,                                                       Earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone;                                                               Snow had fallen, snow on snow, snow on snow,                                                             In the bleak midwinter, long ago.What can I give Him, poor as I am?                                                                                        If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb;                                                                         If I were a Wise Man, I would do my part;                                                                        Yet what I can I give Him: give my heart.The text from this beloved poem of Christina Rossetti (1830–1894) was originally published in an 1872 issue of Scribner’s Monthly, under the title A Christmas Carol. In the first of its five stanzas, the speaker describes in great detail a bitingly cold winter scene, void of both warmth and light. By the final stanza, the speaker's thoughts turn inward, asking what gift they may offer the infant Jesus, meek though they believe themselves to be.The poem was later set by English composer Gustav Holst (1874–1934) as a contribution to the English Hymnal in 1906 and remains the most popular setting today.London-born Rossetti came to be regarded not only as one of the greatest female poets of her time, but as an outspoken advocate on several societal issues, including slavery and cruelty towards animals.In this setting, word painting is of the utmost importance. Careful attention to word stress throughout the course of the piece will make the performance all the more captivating. Descriptive lines such as “frosty wind made moan” should be conveyed with swelling crescendos, like frigid gusts of frozen air.While this piece features an original tune, the beloved Holst melody is also featured briefly, beginning in m. 28. Take care to bring this out.There are plenty of other allusions to wintry scenes scattered throughout the choral parts as well as the accompaniment. I encourage you to put your sleuthing “hats” on and find them all. It will make the learning experience much more memorable and fun.

(A bold meditation on conflict, communication and compromise). Composed by Elizabeth Alexander. For SSA, SAB (youth choir), piano. Anthems, Sacred, Secular, Jazz / Blues / Rock. Medium. Choral Score. Duration 4 minutes. Published by Seafarer Press

SAB chorus and organ - Easy

SKU: JK.01827

Composed by James C. Kasen. Choral SAB, Difficulty Easy, Organ Choir, Seasonal Music Christmas, Special Events Conference (Ward, Christmas. Christian, Inspirational. Duration 3:15. Jackman Music Corporation #01827. Published by Jackman Music Corporation (JK.01827).

Peaceful Christmas anthem for mixed chorus (SAB) and organ accompaniment, originally written for a broadcast by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Sopranos' highest note: D.
Visions of Christmas shine so bright. They speak of long ago, When Jesus came to earth, And angels sang His birth, and wise-men brought Him gifts.
Composer: James C. Kasen
Lyricist: Don H. Staheli
Difficulty: Easy
Performance time: 3:15
Reference: Luke 2.

By Z. Randall Stroope. For TTB/TBB choir, piano (with optional narrator, string quartet, oboe). Concert. Octavo. Published by Heritage Music Press

By Z. Randall Stroope. For SSA choir, piano (with optional narrator, string quartet, oboe). Concert. Octavo. Published by Heritage Music Press

Composed by George Frideric Handel (1685-1759). Arranged by Ernest Read. For Choral (SSA). Choral. Music Sales America. Baroque. 58 pages. Music Sales #PAT01963. Published by Music Sales