SKU: PR.342402020

ISBN 9781598064995. UPC: 680160616084. 8.5 x 11 inches. English. Text: William Shakespeare; Aurelius Prudentius Clemens; Aeschylus. Aurelius Clemens, William Shakespeare, Aeschylus. Texts from Aurelius Prudentius Clemens, Aeschylus, and William Shakespeare.

When Tim Sharp, Executive Director of the ACDA, offered Stucky the Brock Memorial Commission, it was decided that the text would commemorate the 50th anniversary of the assassination of John F. Kennedy, since the annual convention would take place in Dallas of that year. To that end, Stucky chose four different but pertinent texts to honor the occasion, although never referencing JFK by name. Take Him, Earth was premiered at the ACDA convention in March, 2013. Originally scored for chorus and chamber ensemble of nine instruments (available on a rental basis), Take Him, Earth is presented here in piano reduction. For advanced choirs. Duration: 13'.
When Tim Sharp, Executive Director of the American Choral Directors Association, very kindlyoffered me the Raymond W. Brock Memorial Commission for 2013, he suggested that because thepremiere would take place at the national conference in Dallas in the 50th year since the assassinationof John F. Kennedy in that city, the text might refer in some way to that grim anniversary. Hesuggested, too, that I consider using a chamber ensemble or chamber orchestra to accompany thechorus.I took these suggestions to heart, but at the same time I wanted to write something universal enoughto be appropriate on other occasions, in other settings. Thus the score is dedicated to PresidentKennedy’s memory, but otherwise he is never referred to by name. Instead, I assembled a group oftexts that are associated with him in some way, but that also stand alone as a more general eulogy.As a refrain, there are a few lines from the early Christian burial hymn that begins “Take him,Earth, for cherishing” — lines that were earlier set to music by Herbert Howells in his classic motetcommissioned for Kennedy’s memorial service in 1963. The lines of Aeschylus “Drop, drop — inour sleep, upon the heart sorrow falls” from Agamemnon were quoted by Robert F. Kennedy uponthe death of Martin Luther King in April 1968. The celebrated “When he shall die, cut him out inlittle stars” from Act III of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet was cited by RFK a few months after hisbrother’s murder.

SKU: CF.CM8630

ISBN 9780825839597. UPC: 798408039592. 6.875 X 10.5 inches. Key: Eb major. Text: Dana Mengel. Dana Mengel.

A lively anthem from Dana Mengel uses syncopation and a straightforward tunefulness to project the confidence a believer feels in relation to God. The voice parts are not too challenging and the piece will be effective and easy to prepare. Moderately easy. General.

SKU: HL.48019927

ISBN 9781423468103. UPC: 884088285845. 8.5x11 inches.

Dominick Argento's Cenotaph was the American Choral Directors Association's Raymond W. Brock Memorial Commission for its 2009 national convention in Oklahoma City. A cenotaph is defined as a monument to someone buried elsewhere, and the cenotaphs found in America–and indeed across the world–have inspired Argento's writing. This newly-commissioned work uses a collage of textual sources, and employs the composer's signature harmonic language and melodic beauty. From the initial muted rumblings of a crowd awaiting a parade to the broad a cappella textures of its internal movements, Cenotaph commemorates those who have given their lives for their countries, no matter what that country happens to be.