By Jay Althouse. For Choir. (SATB, a cappella). Choral Octavo. Choral Designs. Spiritual, Christmas. Choral Octavo. 12 pages. Published by Alfred Publishing.
Level: Level 4 (grade L4).

SATB choir, assembly, organ accompaniment, trumpet 1 in B-flat, trumpet 1 in C, trumpet 2 in B-flat, trumpet 2 in C, trombone 1, trombone 2 - Beginning

SKU: GI.G-6665

Concertato on MOVILLE. Arranged by John Ferguson. Eastertide, Christ the King, Ascension, OT 20 C. Choral. Tune name: Moville. Sacred. Octavo. 12 pages. GIA Publications #6665. Published by GIA Publications (GI.G-6665).

UPC: 785147666509. English. Text Source: St. Columba, 521–597, tr. Duncan MacGregor, 1854–1923, alt.

This Irish hymn, moville, is set for brass, organ, choir, and assembly. The tune is fresh, readily singable, and delightfully scored, including a 16-measure third stanza that will require the choir to work a bit. All in all, a fabulous piece for Christ the King or any festive occasion. John Ferguson has skillfully set a traditional, sturdy Irish melody for SATB voices and brass with optional assembly. The inner verse is for choir without assembly and is punctuated by short phrases in the brass. Good for Eastertide or general use.

A fabulous piece for Christ the King or any festive occasion.

By Elena Ruehr. For SATB Choir and piano [or full orchestra] (Mixed Voices). Secular. Choral. 28 pages

SATB choir, piano

SKU: LO.10-5718L

Composed by Faye Lopez. Choral. Sacred Anthem, Christmas. Octavo. Lorenz Publishing Company #10/5718L. Published by Lorenz Publishing Company (LO.10-5718L).

ISBN 9780787777548.

What a creative concept! The writing team of Mock and López have written a unique mash-up that combines the text of O Holy Night with the well-known hymn tune FINLANDIA. Just for good measure, the cherished Adolphe Adam melody appears as well. These time-honored words and tunes will come alive in a fresh way every time your choir presents this captivating anthem.

Choral (SATB)

SKU: HL.365819

Arranged by Brad Nix. Shawnee Sacred. Advent, Christmas/Advent Sacred. Octavo. Duration 250 seconds. Published by Shawnee Press (HL.365819).

UPC: 840126962109. 6.75x10.5x0.029 inches. Daniel 12:3, Matthew 2:2, Psalm 19:1, Psalm 85:8.

This rustic approach to the early-American tunes WARRENTON and NETTLETON will raise the joy level in your sanctuary! The original text has a sprinkling of Wesleyan lyric thrown in for good measure and comes wrapped up in a surprising choral/bluegrass jubilee. A contrasting middle section delivers a lyrical pause in the dance, but the joy soon returns as the anthem races to a decisive ending. Score and Parts (fdl, bjo, mndln, ac gtr, up b, dm) available as a digital download.

Choral SATB Choir and Piano

SKU: CF.CM9740

Composed by Mark Burrows. 16 pages. Duration 4 minutes, 22 seconds. Carl Fischer Music #CM9740. Published by Carl Fischer Music (CF.CM9740).

ISBN 9781491161203. UPC: 680160919789. Key: Bb major. English. Siegfried Sasson.

Everyone suddenly burst out singing; And I was filled with such delight As prisoned birds must find in freedom... These opening lines to Everyone Sang by the British war poet Siegfried Sassoon feel as relevant today as they did when the poem was first published in 1919. It was after the end of World War I and these words capture so much of the collective exhilaration, relief, and pure joy about the Great War finally coming to an end. And yet Sassoon himself felt none of that when he wrote this poem. In his own words, he was feeling dull-minded and depressed. Perhaps his time in the trenches was still too recent. One of the reasons the creative arts are so powerful is that a poet like Sassoon (or a painter like Van Gogh or a composer like Mahler) can take their own feelings of deep sadness or pain and transform them into something beautiful, even uplifting. Everyone Sang is a celebration of the promise that things can get better, that there are things worth looking forward to.   The poem itself has so much rhythm and musicality. The appearance of suddenly in the first line of each verse gives those verses a rush of energy. Attention to the crescendo in measure 7, and again in measure 37, from mf to f will help the listener experience that rush. There are expressive opportunities with so many of the poet's bold choices of action words - burst, winging, and shaken. Then there's alliteration - a poetic device that can be overdone, but Sassoon strikes a wonderful balance. Suddenly/singing (measures 6-7 and 10-11) Find/freedom (measure 21-22) Winging/wildly (measure 23) Setting/sun (measures 47-49) Was/wordless (measures 65-75) Give these alliterations just a hint of emphasis (without overdoing) to bring out the natural rhythm of the text.   And just as O is set apart in the poem by punctuation, I wanted the musical setting - in measure 57 - to honor that feeling of wonder - ...O, but Everyone Was a bird; and the song was wordless; the singing will Never be done. Friends, there is so much good ahead, so much to be excited about. May the singing never be done.
Everyone suddenly burst out singingAnd I was filled with such delightAs prisoned birds must find in freedom…These opening lines to Everyone Sang by the British war poet Siegfried Sassoon feel as relevant today as they did when the poem was first published in 1919. It was after the end of World War I and these words capture so much of the collective exhilaration, relief, and pure joy about the “Great War” finally coming to an end. And yet Sassoon himself felt none of that when he wrote this poem. In his own words, he “was feeling dull-minded and depressed.” Perhaps his time in the trenches was still too recent.One of the reasons the creative arts are so powerful is that a poet like Sassoon (or a painter like Van Gogh or a composer like Mahler) can take their own feelings of deep sadness or pain and transform them into something beautiful, even uplifting. Everyone Sang is a celebration of the promise that things can get better, that there are things worth looking forward to. The poem itself has so much rhythm and musicality.The appearance of “suddenly” in the first line of each verse gives those verses a rush of energy. Attention to the crescendo in measure 7, and again in measure 37, from mf to f will help the listener experience that rush.There are expressive opportunities with so many of the poet’s bold choices of action words – burst, winging, and shaken.Then there’s alliteration - a poetic device that can be overdone, but Sassoon strikes a wonderful balance.Suddenly/singing (measures 6-7 and 10-11)Find/freedom (measure 21-22)Winging/wildly (measure 23)Setting/sun (measures 47-49)Was/wordless (measures 65-75)Give these alliterations just a hint of emphasis (without overdoing) to bring out the natural rhythm of the text. And just as “O” is set apart in the poem by punctuation, I wanted the musical setting – in measure 57 - to honor that feeling of wonder –…O, but EveryoneWas a bird; and the song was wordless; the singing willNever be done. Friends, there is so much good ahead, so much to be excited about.May the singing never be done.

By Thomas George. For Voices: SATB. English text only. Choral Sacred. Published by GIA Publications.

SATB choir, organ, 2 violins - Beginning to Intermediate

SKU: MN.50-8812

Composed by Carl Schalk. Year A Easter4; Catholic Year A Lent4; Catholic Year A Easter4; Year A Lent4; Catholic Year C All Souls Day; Year C Easter4; Year C Lent3; Year A All Saints Day; Year A Proper 23 (28); Year A Proper 27 (32); Catholic Year A Ordinary28; Catholic Year A All. Good Shepherd Sunday, Easter Season, 21st Century, Trust/Guidance. Choral score. MorningStar Music Publishers #50-8812. Published by MorningStar Music Publishers (MN.50-8812).

UPC: 688670588129. Scripture: Psalms 23.

George Herbert adaptation of Psalm 23. Extended setting of six-stanza text interspersed with 16-measure ritornello between several stanzas. Lots of Unison. Warm, lyrical.