Review: A great selection of holiday songs arranged in the close harmony barbershop style for male voices.

Songlist: White Christmas, The Christmas Song, I'll Be Home For Christmas, (There's No Place Like) Home For The Holidays

Voicing: a-cappella/arrangements/barbershop/

Review: Another great selection of holiday songs arranged in the close harmony barbershop style for male voices.

Songlist: Blue Christmas, Jingle Bell Rock, Here Comes Santa Claus, Winter Wonderland

Voicing: barbershop/christmas/

Review: The mid 20th century was the golden age of the American musical and here is a collection of some the era's finest songs. Arranged for female barbershop voices these songs by songwriting legends such as Irving Berlin, Harold Arlen and Meridith Wilson are sure to please.

Songlist: Till There Was You, Over The Rainbow, The Trolly Song, They Say It's Wonderful

Voicing: a-cappella/arrangements/barbershop-female

Review: Randy Newman has a written many wonderful songs including some popular songs for Disney animated films such as Toy Story, Cars and Monsters, Inc. Arranged expertly for female barbershop quartets these songs are a welcome addition to your repertoire.

Songlist: I Will Go Sailing No More, If I Didn't Have You, Our Town

Voicing: a-cappella/arrangements/barbershop-female

Review: "A Doo-Wop Christmas (With You)" - This clever a cappella original is reminiscent of doo-wop groups from the '50s and '60s. The choir sings a "bop-bop-bop" refrain alternately with classic back-ups, as a soloist or small group croons the flirtatious text, weaving in popular song titles from back in the day. "At Christmas (A Christmas Sha-na-na)" - It's a blast from the past when your choir sings this fun-filled holiday original by Andy Beck. Your singers and audience will love snapping their fingers and tapping their toes to this doo-wop style tune backed up with traditional 50s harmonies and classic "sha-na-nas." And don't miss the clever use of quotes from several popular holiday songs throughout! It's an easy-to-learn a cappella novelty in the SSATB voicing, or feature a crooning soloist with piano accompaniment and back-up singers in the 3-part. "What'cha Gonna Bring for Christmas?" - Feature your best solo crooner(s) on this '50s inspired a cappella chorus that begs Santa for a timeless teen wish: "Won't you bring me someone to love?" The choir serves equally as the featured act (of the chorus and bridge) and the backup singers (for two dreamy verses). The final falsetto phrases and 7th chord cadence deliver a sweet doo-wop ending.

Songlist: A Doo-Wop Christmas (With You), At Christmas (A Christmas Sha-na-na), What'cha Gonna Bring for Christmas?

Review: As one of the earliest forms of a cappella singing every group should know at least some of the doo wop classics. "Under The Boardwalk", the 1964 hit by the Drifters, is one of the all time a cappella hits and should be in every group's repertoire. Here's a super doo-wop arrangement of Ben E King's 1961 "Stand By Me" and " In The Still Of The Night", a doo wop gem that's fun to sing. "Come Go With Me" - Put a special soloist out front with this doo-wop hit of the '50s!

Songlist: Come Go With Me, Under the Boardwalk, In the Still of the Nite, Stand By Me

Review: Doo wop a cappella has influenced so much of today's sound and here we present some cool arrangements of some of the all-time classics. Here is Ed Lojeski rendition of The Nylons hit "Silhouettes" which has an irresistible energy and drive that make this an audience favorite! "Under The Boardwalk", the 1964 classic hit by the Drifters, should be in every group's repertoire as should the 1962 Gene Chandler hit "Duke of Earl". Would you believe the '50s hit "Book of Love" was inspired by a toothpaste commercial? It's a terrific male parody on "how to keep your girl" put in an a cappella "street-style" setting and the Boyz 11 Men version of "Under The Boardwalk" is bound to be a crowd pleaser!

Songlist: Under the Boardwalk, Book of Love, Duke of Earl, In the Still of the Nite, Silhouettes

Voicing: a-cappella/arrangements/ttbb/

Review: Ed Lojeski brings back the sound of Little Anthony and the Imperials in this fun arrangement of "Tears On My Pillow". Add some sways and finger-snaps and you have a perfect choice for small or large groups. "Goodnight, Sweetheart, Goodnight" - Groove to the sounds of a by-gone era with this 1954 hit originally recorded by The Spaniels. Classic doo-wop! "Speedoo" - Show some attitude with this 1956 pop hit by the Cadillacs! This uptempo classic from the golden age of doo-wop makes a perfect selection for some fancy footwork! The novelty number "Mr. Bass Man" by the '60s artist Johnny Cymbal has been covered by everyone from Sha Na Na to the Muppets and will be a hit on your stage as well, with a hilarious doo-wop bass line that will be an absolute blast to perform!

Songlist: Tears On My Pillow, Goodnight, Sweetheart, Goodnight, Speedoo, Mr. Bass Man

Review: As one of the earliest forms of a cappella singing every group should know at least some of the doo wop classics. "Under The Boardwalk", the 1964 hit by the Drifters, is one of the all time a cappella standards and probably should be in every group's repertoire. Here's a super doo-wop arrangement of Ben E King's 1961 "Stand By Me" and a lovely medley by Ed Lojeski of four doo wop gems. These songs are always crowd pleasers. Billy Joel's hit "The Longest Time" is a perennial favorite and evokes an even earlier time in America's pop history.

Songlist: The Best of Doo-Wop, Stand By Me, Under the Boardwalk, The Longest Time

Voicing: sheet-music/female-voices/

Review: One of the most successful vocal harmony groups of the 60's were the Four Seasons and their songs are as iconic as ever thanks in part to the hit Broadway show Jersey Boys. "Walk Like a Man" was one of the songs that propelled the Four Seasons to stardom and a showstopper in Jersey Boys that chronicles their rags-to-riches story, your men's group will bring down the house with the soaring falsetto over solid rock and roll harmonies. With soaring falsetto and smooth harmonies, "Sherry" was a #1 hit in 1962 and will make your guys the stars of the show. Audiences will love hearing these songs and watch out of they might sing along with the choir!!

Songlist: Walk Like a Man, Sherry, Bye Bye Baby (Baby Goodbye), Jersey Boys (Choral Highlights), Let's Hang On

Voicing: musicals/male-harmony-voices/

Review: These four motets were composed in the fall of 1921 while Copland was studying with Nadia Boulanger in Paris. The four motets have remained unpublished until now. Writing to Copland about them in 1924, Boulanger tells the composer that "those motets sound in the voices in a stunning manner."

Songlist: Help Us, O Lord, Sing Ye Praises To Our King, Have Mercy On us, O My Lord, Though, O Jehovah, Abideth Forever

Voicing: a-cappella/arrangements/motet/

Review: Aaron Jay Kernis, awarded the Pulitzer Prize in 1998, is one of the most sought after composers today. He has received commissions from many of the major orchestras in the United States, including the New York Philharmonic and San Francisco Symphony. Ecstatic Meditations was composed in 1999 for Philip Brunelle and the Plymouth Music Series Ensemble Singers and Choir. Like all of Kernis' music, it "bears the unmistakable stamp of a wildly fertile musical imagination...with rich poetic imagery." The text is by Mechthild of Magdeburg, translated by Jane Hirshfield

Songlist: Effortlessly Love Flows, How The Soul Speaks To God, I Cannot Dance, O Lord, How God Answers The Soul l

Review: The most famous American Christmas carol family is undisputably the Burt family. The carols of Bates and Alfred Burt and the Christmas carol cards they sent are now part of our hymnody and folklore. Abbie Burt Betinis is the great granddaughter of Bates and grand niece of Alfred, and is continuing the tradition with freshness and craftsmanship. A noted and often commissioned composer in her own right, she brings skill and talent to this unique genre in a way no one else could. The verse and chorus form reminds us of an English carol, but the text, taken most often from other Burt family members, are very American. Enjoy this energetic carol with sacred text by John Harris Burt

Songlist: Run, Toboggan, Run, Hail, Christmas Day!, Prayer for Peace

Voicing: a-cappella/arrangements/christmas/choral/

Review: Paul Laurence Dunbar was born June 27, 1872 in Dayton, Ohio. He died there on February 9, 1906. Dunbar was the first African-American poet to garner national critical acclaim. He penned a large body of dialect poems, standard English poems, essays, novels, and short stories, before he died at age 33. His work often addressed the difficulties encountered by members of his race and the efforts of African-Americans to achieve equality in America. He was praised both by the prominent literary critics of his time and by his literary contemporaries.

Songlist: When Storms Arise, Lead Gently, Lord, Little Lamb

Voicing: a-cappella/arrangements/spirituals/mixed/

Review: These delightful carols are the result of a tradition begun by the Reverend Bates G. Burt, his composer son, Alfred and friend-of-the-family Whila Hutson; for many years these three collaborated on the creation of original carols, which were then sent to friends as Christmas cards. The fifteen carols as published are arranged in three sets. The carols within each set were selected to provide a variety of sound and facility of transition from one carol to the next so that each set may be performed as a program group

Songlist: Caroling, Caroling Long Ago, O Hearken Ye, Nigh Bethlehem, All On A Christmas Morning, We'll Dress The House, Ah, Bleak And Chill Wintry Wind, Christmas Cometh Caroling, Some Children See Him, Jesu Parvule, Bright, Bright, The Holly Berries, The Star Carol, Carol Of The Mother, What Are The Signs, Christ In The Stranger's Guise, Come, Dear Children

Voicing: a-cappella/arrangements/christmas/choral/

Review: These delightful carols are the result of a tradition begun by the Reverend Bates G. Burt, his composer son, Alfred and friend-of-the-family Whila Hutson; for many years these three collaborated on the creation of original carols, which were then sent to friends as Christmas cards. The fifteen carols as published are arranged in three sets. The carols within each set were selected to provide a variety of sound and facility of transition from one carol to the next so that each set may be performed as a program group

Songlist: Caroling, Caroling Long Ago, O Hearken Ye, Nigh Bethlehem, All On A Christmas Morning, We'll Dress The House, Ah, Bleak And Chill Wintry Wind, Christmas Cometh Caroling, Some Children See Him, Jesu Parvule, Bright, Bright, The Holly Berries, The Star Carol, Carol Of The Mother, What Are The Signs, Christ In The Stranger's Guise, Come, Dear Children

Voicing: a-cappella/arrangements/christmas/choral/

Review: These delightful carols are the result of a tradition begun by the Reverend Bates G. Burt, his composer son, Alfred and friend-of-the-family Whila Hutson; for many years these three collaborated on the creation of original carols, which were then sent to friends as Christmas cards. The fifteen carols as published are arranged in three sets. The carols within each set were selected to provide a variety of sound and facility of transition from one carol to the next so that each set may be performed as a program group

Songlist: Caroling, Caroling Long Ago, O Hearken Ye, Nigh Bethlehem, All On A Christmas Morning, We'll Dress The House, Ah, Bleak And Chill Wintry Wind, Christmas Cometh Caroling, Some Children See Him, Jesu Parvule, Bright, Bright, The Holly Berries, The Star Carol, Carol Of The Mother, What Are The Signs, Christ In The Stranger's Guise, Come, Dear Children

Voicing: a-cappella/arrangements/christmas/choral/

Review: Clear-textured settings of the fairies' songs from A Midsummer Night's Dream and The Tempest, these songs are lavishly effective in their text setting, harmony, rhythm, and dynamics. The beauty of sound of women's voices shines through these pieces. First published in 1897.

Songlist: Over Hill, Over Dale, Come unto These Yellow Sands,, Through the House Give Glimmering Light

Voicing: sheet-music/shakespeare/

Review: Text in English, German and Hungarian.

Songlist: Four Old Hungarian Folksongs, Five Slovak Folksongs

Voicing: cds/hungarian-choral-recordings/

Review: "Many people think it is a comparatively easy task to write a composition on found folk tunes... This way of thinking is completely erroneous. To handle folk tunes is one of the most difficult tasks; equally difficult, if not more so, than to write a major original composition. If we keep in mind that borrowing a tune means being bound by its individual peculiarity, we shall understand one part of the difficulty. Another is created by the special character of folk tune. We must penetrate it, feel it, and bring out its sharp contours by the appropriate setting... It must be a work of inspiration just as much as any other composition." - Bela Bartok

Songlist: Mocking of Youth - from Four Women's Choruses, Spring, Enchanting Song

Voicing: cds/hungarian-choral-recordings/

Review: Dedicated to Civil Rights pioneer Ella Baker, "Ella's Song" by Sweet Honey in the Rock founder Bernice Johnson Reagon is a powerful song of courage and struggle. "we who believe in freedom cannot rest until it comes" Also from Bernice Johnson Reagon and Sweet Honey in the Rock, "We Are the Ones We Been Waiting For" written in tribute to the women of South Africa is a powerful and uplifting call for leadership and inner strength. It is especially appropriate as an audience participation number and recessional. "Greed" - From Bernice Johnson Reagon's sermon in music, we are confronted by the sin of greed in each of us. Recorded by Sweet Honey in the Rock, this song offers a humorous but astute assessment of our culture and institutions.

Songlist: We Are the Ones We Been Waiting For, Ella's Song, Greed

Review: Betty Bertaux, founder/director of the Children's Chorus of Maryland, is regarded as an authority on vocal and musical development in children. A former faculty member of the Peabody Conservatory in Baltimore and Holy Names College in Oakland, California, she has been professionally active for over 40 years, working with music students of all ages. Dr. Bertaux is internationally recognized and often engaged as a guest conductor and workshop clinician with children's choruses and choral conferences. Currently serving as an adjunct professor for VanderCook College of Music in Chicago, Dr. Bertaux is also internationally established and frequently commissioned as a composer and arranger of music for treble choirs.

Songlist: I'll Give My Love An Apple, Nachtlied, Before Rain, Shady Grove, Wondrous Love, A Cloud

Voicing: a-cappella/arrangements/treble/

Review: Betty Bertaux, founder/director of the Children's Chorus of Maryland, is regarded as an authority on vocal and musical development in children. A former faculty member of the Peabody Conservatory in Baltimore and Holy Names College in Oakland, California, she has been professionally active for over 40 years, working with music students of all ages. Dr. Bertaux is internationally recognized and often engaged as a guest conductor and workshop clinician with children's choruses and choral conferences. Here are three songs that will be fun for singers and audience alike!

Songlist: Unborn Baby, Gone For Good, An Apple With Its Seeds

Voicing: a-cappella/arrangements/treble/

Review: The beautiful eight-part setting of 'My Prayer' starts out with a beautiful alto duet. This challenging piece is a joy to perform and to hear. 'Pray that Jerusalem may have peace' is a Scottish Psalter that was commisioned to commemorate the 150th Anniversary of the consecration of Glenalmond College Chapel. The multiple key and tempo changes make this a challenging but exciting piece to perform. The text in 'God so loved the world' comes from John 3:16. The soprano solo adds a beautiful descant to this touching piece. 'Even Such Is Time' comes from the text by Sir Walter Raleight. The piece starts out with soft, but expressive, four-part harmonies. Half way through the song, the men's parts divisi. The soprano solo at the end adds a great finish. George Herber's text in 'Even-Song' is brought to life with gorgeous harmonies and yet another sweet soprano solo.

Songlist: My Prayer, Pray That Jerusalem May Have Peace, God So Loved The World, Even Such Is Time, Even-Song

Voicing: a-cappella/arrangements/sacred/

Review: Kenneth Jennings' settings of two Dylan Thomas poems 'Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night,' and And Death Shall Have No Dominion' are both beautiful arrangements. 'Loch Lomond' is a Scottish folk song that dates back to the Jacobite Rebellion. Care has been taken to preserve the authenticity of the language in this arrangement, with the help of a ipa chart in the performance notes of this chart. With an energetic, strong opening and a more lyric, gentle section in the middle, 'Alleluia' provides an overall sense of the joy we experience while praising god. 'Let the Bullgine Tun,' a vigorous, humorous, traditional sea chantey is guaranteed to delight both singers and audiences.

Songlist: Do Not Go Gentle Into The Night, Let the Bullgine Run, Loch Lomond, Alleluia, Amen, And Death Shall Have No Dominion

Review: A unique collection of spirituals and folk songs arranged by the talented ensemble Cantus for male unaccompanied voices. Recommended

Songlist: Danny Boy, Barbara Allen, She Moved Through the Fair, Deep River, Heav'n, Heav'n

Review: Joseph Jennings' rich a cappella arrangement of the traditional spiritual, 'Steal Away,' is an enjoyable treat for both the singers and the audience. Winner of the 2003 Chanticleer Student Choral Compositition Competition, 'She Walks in Beauty,' for advanced choirs, sets the Lord Byron text in a lush harmonic style. Composer Joseph Twish sets a deeply moving homophonic work with 'Wandering,' exploring the text "God has mercy on me. Wand'ring, wand'ring.' That piece was also a previous winner of the composition competition. 'Galbally Farmer' works well with advanced Jr High, High School or moderate adult choirs, another audience favorite! Set to a 9th Century Japanese poem, in 'Voices of Autumn, composer Jackson Hill uses traditional musical stylistic devices from the same culture to create a seamless, tranquil unaccompanied choral work.

Songlist: She Walks in Beauty, Wandering, Galbally Farmer, Voices of Autumn

Review: Joseph Jennings, long-time music director of the multiple Grammy winning a cappella ensemble Chanticleer, has always had an affinity for spirituals and the group has many wonderful recordings of Jenning's arrangements. This collection for mixed voices a cappella are bound to please.

Songlist: Steal Away, Where The Sun Will Never Go Down, Keep Your Hand On The Plow, Calling My Children Home

Voicing: a-cappella/arrangements/spirituals/mixed/

Review: Probably Chanticleer's most popular arrangement, Franz Biebl's 'Ave Maria' is challenging but is sure to become a favorite among your singers. We have included all three available voicings for you to chose from. Also included in this package is Joseph Jenning's 'Christmas Spiritual Medley.' This fun piece is rich with tight harmony and a few solos, guaranteed to please your audience.

Songlist: Ave Maria, Ave Maria, Christmas Spiritual Medley, Ave Maria

Voicing: a-cappella/arrangements/sacred/

Review: American composer William Hawley's music has been heard in London, Tokyo, Paris, the Netherlands, Berlin, Darmstadt, Munich, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, Minneapolis, and other cities in the United States, Europe, and Asia, as well as in the concert halls of New York City. Here is your opportunity to make his Chanticleer-performed compositions part of your repertoire. The ten part voicing in 'Io Son La Primavera' gives this piece an amazing depth and flair. Hawley's arrangement of Torquato Tasso's text, 'Dolcissimi Colori' is sweet and beautiful, perfect for a moderately advanced choir. Both 'Io V'amo Sol Perche Voi Siete Bella' and 'Ore, Fermate Volo' is fairly challenging yet beautiful, great examples of the Chanticleer charm! Two other composition based on text by Tasso, 'Vita De La Mia Vita' is sure to be a crowd pleaser, the setting of 'Siepe, Chegli Orti Vaghi' is beautiful and romantic - another fine example of Hawley's great style.

Songlist: Io Son la Primavera, Vita De La Mia Vita, Ore, Fermate Il Volo, Io V'Amo Sol Perche Voi Siete Bella, Dolcissimi Colori, Sipe, Che Gli Orti

Voicing: a-cappella/arrangements/sacred/

Review: A perennial favourite with Vancouver audiences, Corlynn's sweet and gentle 'Christmas Angel' has elements of traditional and popular music. it is sure to be a hit with your audiences too. A smooth and jazzy version of 'Silent Night,' this piece is straightforward and suitable for any Christmas concert. Written in a traditional chant-like style with unison lines alternating with lush harmonic passages, Chor Leoni discovered Willan's previously unpublished version of 'Magnificat' and instantly fell in love with it. One of Chor Leoni's favourite modern Christmas carols, 'Yuletide Fires' is

Songlist: Christmas Angel, Silent Night, Magnificat, Yuletide Fires

Voicing: a-cappella/arrangements/christmas/choral/

Review: Stan Rogers, Canada's folk music hero speaks to all of us through his words and music. 'Fogarty's Cove' is faithful to Stan's musical Style and it's great to sing! 'Ave, Maris Stella' is a favorite Nova Scotia Latin canticle with a simple harmonic arrangement. Included is a solo for tenor or unison tenor section. 'Loch Lomond' begins with a tenor or baritone solo, and develops into a rousing rhythmic chorus which drives to the end of the piece. in between are richly textured choral verses.

Songlist: Ave, Maris Stella, Loch Lomond

Voicing: a-cappella/arrangements/ttbb/

Review: Generally recognized as the father of the Neo-Romantic movement in music, David Del Tredici has received numerous awards (including the Pulitzer Prize) and has been commissioned and performed by nearly every major American and European orchestral ensemble. "Del Tredici," said Aaron Copland, "is that rare find among composers - a creator with a truly original gift. I venture to say that his music is certain to make a lasting impression on the American musical scene. I know of no other composer of his generation who composes music of greater freshness and daring, or with more personality." From Del Tredici's Program notes: "In this traumatic post-9/11 world, I felt an urge to connect with, and even comfort, the youngest generation of budding musicians. Heart and felt are two words that directed my choice of texts: I wanted to tell something about myself, as well as about the joys of childhood ... Stevenson's "The Little Land" re-creates the imaginitive world that to daydreaming children seems so natural." David Del Tredici writes: "My setting of the 1727 New England Primer's "Alphabet" might horrify its Puritan author by transforming its simple text into an exuberant tour de force. Its 26 couplets tumble upon one another in tight three-part counterpoint, testing the young performers' range and endurance alike."

Songlist: Alphabet (Fuga), Sabbath's Child, The Little Land

Voicing: a-cappella/arrangements/treble/

Review: Written in 1854, Jeanie with the Light Brown Hair was dedicated to composer Stephen Foster's wife, Jane McDowall. The opening lyrics, "I dream of Jeanie with the light brown hair," are said to have inspired the popular 1960s sitcom, I Dream of Jeannie. Sweet and lilting, this whimsical piece is arranged for soprano and alto voices.

Songlist: Jeanie With The Light Brown Hair, Nelly Bly, Oh! Susanna

Voicing: sheet-music/americana/

Review: There is nothing more enjoyable than singing one of Don Besig and Nancy Price's a cappella anthems; pure joy with an excellent message of faith. Their lyric approach to this happy choral will warm your group and you'll be ready for performance in only a few practices. Delightful! "Wake up, world! Hear the wonderful story..." What a happy, spirited anthem! This contemporary spiritual from the team of Nancy Price and Don Besig is an a cappella offering for your Easter service. Easily learned, the joyful refrain could even be taught to the congregation. Refreshing and memorable, Hallelujah, Sing with Glory! is positively a song of great joy! "Waiting For The Light!" will draw your congregation in closer with the intimacy of unaccompanied singing. The minor color of this attractive octavo adds a touch of mystery to the preparations for Christ's arrival. Effective word painting with well-placed silences gives the thoughtful choir director ample opportunities for drama through interpretation. The impeccable part-writing makes Waiting for the Light! a sure success for your ensemble. Beautifully done. "Glory To God!" is sure to be a favorite with your choir and congregation. Light and spirited, this a cappella anthem captures the almost giddy feeling of joy and excitement the shepherds must have felt once they recovered from their angel visitation. Glory to God! brings infectious glad tidings of great joy to your church and to all people!

Songlist: Hallelujah, Sing With Glory!, Waiting For The Light!, Sing Out The News, Listen To The Angels Sing, We've Got Good News To Tell!, Glory To God!

Voicing: a-cappella/arrangements/sacred/

Review: "A Holiday Madrigal" - This merry madrigal will be a nice addition to your women's choir's a cappella seasonal repertoire. Characteristic counterpoint makes this original Donald Moore piece a familiar form but, unlike many Renaissance chorals, the vocal ranges, subject matter, and number of voice parts have been specifically designed for developing choirs. A festive feature for holiday concerts and Madrigal feasts. "A Joyful Madrigal" - Here's a new work by Donald Moore in madrigal style that's appropriate for general or Christmas use. Dynamic changes create interest; repetition makes for quick learning. Perfect when you need just one more piece for your Christmas or Spring concert. Lots of optional notes and is an outstanding learning piece for young and developing choirs. "A Merry Madrigal" - A "fa la la" section in this joyful number makes it appropriate for both Christmas and general use. It's a fine learning piece in the madrigal style, yet the singable melodies make the independent vocal lines easy to learn. Don Moore is a master at creating works that develop choral singing, teach a classic choral style and, most importantly, sound great. Use it in concerts and at festivals and adjudications. Develop your choir's a cappella skills with the straightforward original madrigal "Alleluia Madrigal" by Donald Moore. Traditional harmonies, modest ranges, and lots of repetition make it a quick-learn piece. Contrasting dynamics and a lilting three-four meter create a joyful song that is good for Christmas or general use.

Songlist: A Holiday Madrigal, A Joyful Madrigal, A Merry Madrigal, Alleluia Madrigal

Voicing: a-cappella/arrangements/christmas/ssaa/

Review: A merry madrigal will be a nice addition to your 3-part choir's a cappella seasonal repertoire. Characteristic counterpoint makes this original Donald Moore piece a familiar form but, unlike many Renaissance chorals, the vocal ranges, subject matter, and number of voice parts have been specifically designed for developing choirs. A festive feature for holiday concerts and Madrigal feasts, with just enough optional bass notes in the 3-part mixed/SAB for your developing men's section. A "fa la la" section in the joyful number "A Merry Madrigal" makes it appropriate for both Christmas and general use. It's a fine learning piece in the madrigal style, yet the singable melodies make the independent vocal lines easy to learn. Don Moore is a master at creating works that develop choral singing, teach a classic choral style and, most importantly, sound great. Use it in concerts and at festivals and adjudications. Welcomed repetition and smart voice leading pave the way to success for developing 3-part choirs. The guys sing in their easiest range; the sopranos, a mostly step-wise melody; and the altos, intuitive harmonies. Add the optional sleighbells and it's ready to go for Christmas.

Songlist: Merry Christmas Madrigal, A Merry Madrigal, A Holiday Madrigal, A Joyful Madrigal

Voicing: a-cappella/arrangements/madrigals/

Review: "Adam Lay Ybounden" was written originally for a small church choir, this piece takes the ancient text and sets it with a mystical angularity, but maintaining a beautiful sense of line. Includes a small soprano solo. Written for Elektra Women's Choir, this piece is now heard around the world. Using only the words "Ave Maria" this rhythmic and visionary work is suitable for women's or very advanced children's choir. "Missa Brevis" is a short mass setting for unaccompanied women's or treble choir consists of Kyrie, Gloria, Sanctus and Agnus Dei. Although not technically demanding, the work requires sensitivity of phrasing and detailed attention to text and word stress. The heartfelt simplicity of expression underlines the inherent reverence and beauty of this liturgical text. Performance note: Missa Brevis can also be sung by a mixed chorus with tenors doubling sopranos and basses doubling altos. "Salve Regina" is one of the Catholic Church's four Marian antiphons, is set for unaccompanied women's choir and solo flute or solo soprano. With thick, luscious harmonies, this is a challenging piece of music, at times requiring 8-part divisi. The work requires a good sense of flow, attention to word stress and a convincing understanding of the piece's structure.

Songlist: Adam Lay Ybounden, Ave Maria, Missa Brevis, Salve Regina

Voicing: sheet-music/female-voices/

Review: This collection of original songs and arrangements of folk tunes provides a long-needed source of a cappella contest literature for the developing choir. Quality texts, careful attention to range, tessitura, and thoughtful limits on melodic and harmonic complexity make these settings an ideal first a cappella experience.

Songlist: All Join Hands, Au Clair De La Lune, Indian Summer, Long, Long Ago, Love In Thy Youth, Spring Quiet

Voicing: a-cappella/arrangements/treble/

Review: This collection of original songs and arrangements of folk tunes provides a long-needed source of a cappella contest literature for the developing choir. Quality texts, careful attention to range, tessitura, and thoughtful limits on melodic and harmonic complexity make these settings an ideal first a cappella experience. The collection is also a resource for concert and sight-reading material for beginning and developing men's choruses.

Songlist: Greensleeves, Kumbaya, Vive La Compagnie!, As The Holly Groweth Green, Down In The Valley, Leave Her, Johnny Leave Her, The Old Brass Wagon, The Red River Valley, Sons Of Art

Voicing: a-cappella/arrangements/ttbb/

Review: This five-movement major addition to the repertoire for women's chorus has widely differing voicings and textures. All the movements use Emily Dickinson's domestic images--bees, birds, balls of yarn--to express hopes and fears relating to the future and the past. Movement 1, 2, 4 and 5 are accompanied, Movement 3 is A Cappella.

Songlist: Hope Is the Thing With Feathers, A Bird Came Down The Walk, My Life Closed Twice Before Its Close, If You Were Coming In The Fall, Some Things That Fly There Be

Voicing: sheet-music/female-voices/

Review: The powerful fusion of Octavio Paz's Spanish text and Eric Whitacre's musical imagery has made 'Cloudburst a favorite with good high school choirs and beyond in the U.S. and abroad. Of timeless beauty, 'Waternight' speaks to singers and audiences of all generations, offering a high point in any concert program. A Boy and a Girl is a tender, delicate poem put to music by Eric Whitacre. It was commissioned by the 2002 California All-State Chorus. 'When David Heard' uses the text of David, lamenting the slaying of his son Absalom (II Samuel 18:33). It is a major work, with great dramatic moments describing the feeling of a father's loss.

Songlist: Cloudburst, Waternight, When David Heard

Voicing: a-cappella/arrangements/choral-modern/

Review: 'i will wade out' the first piece in the set, cries out with lush, neo-romantic harmonies. In 'hope, faith, love, life' each word is repeated as a musical meditation, quoting different works from Whitacre's choral library.' I 'i thank you God, for this most amazing day,' the shimmering quality of the chords help to convey the Whitacre's feeling of the text used in the poem. All three pieces are based on the poems by e.e. cummings, and are part of Eric Whitacre's series, titled 'Three Songs of Faith.'

Songlist: I Thank You God For Most This Amazing Day, I Will Wade Out, hope, faith, love, life

Voicing: a-cappella/arrangements/choral-modern/

Eric Whitacre : A Cappella Arrangements 3

Review: 'Sleep' is the collaboration between Eric Whitacre and poet Charles Anthony Silvestri, drawing on the mystical moment between awareness and sleep. For the setting of Lux Aurumque, Whitacre chose the Latin translation of an Edward Esch poem, enhancing the elegant simplicity of this new work. The text explores Leonardo da Vinci's dreams of flying. The blend of Italian madrigal and contemporary style supports the text, once again, by Charles Anthony Silvestri.

Songlist: Sleep, Lux Aurumque, Leonardo Dreams of His Flying Machines

Review: Here are six whimsical settings of Ogden Nash poems that are perfect for a lighter portion of your program or as an encore. They are easily-learned and fun to perform!

Songlist: The Panther, The Cow, The Firefly, The Canary, The Eel, The Kangaroo

Voicing: sheet-music/animals/

Review: in 'Five Hebrew Love Songs - inspired by Whitacre's trip to Switzerland - each song is a "postcard," capturing lush, romantic moments in full. The songs are dedicated to Jerusalem born Hila Plitmann - poet of the beautiful text, and the Whitacre's wife. A simple and delicate setting of the timeless love poem by the Sufi poet Jalal al-Din Rumi, 'This Marriage' marks the first time that Whitacre has written for four-part a cappella chorus without divisi. Composed in the spirit of the Renaissance works written to Elizabeth I - "fair Oriana" - 'Her sacred Spirit Soars,' written for double choir, is in the signature Whitacre style with brilliant choral textures unfolding into a majestic final salute, "Long live, Oriana!" 'Little Birds' is the third setting of words by Octavio Paz (Water Night; Cloudburst) from Eric Whitacre. 'Little Birds' pays homage to Gabriel Faure with its running piano part and fluid sensual melodies. According to the Whitacre "it holds mysterious and magical effects", imitating delicate birds. Suitable for festival or competition use.

Songlist: This Marraige, Little Birds, Five Hebrew Love Songs

Voicing: a-cappella/arrangements/choral-modern/

Review: The City and the Sea is a new collection of five compositions from one of the world's most popular choral composer based on the poems of e.e. cummings. "i walked the boulevard" - White key clusters in the piano create the rhythmic framework for the playful vocals sung in unison declamation or that ricochet one part to another in this vividly portraying an urban street scene. "the moon is hiding in her hair" - This languorous setting features a chaconne-like left hand pattern in the piano along with right hand cluster chords and legato vocal phrases in octaves to create a meditative musical atmosphere. "maggie and milly" - With the characteristic clusters broken into arpeggios for this movement, this playful work features delightful wordplay and simple fun! "as is the sea marvelous" - This tender setting creates an image of the ebb and flow of the sea through pulsating parallel cluster chords in the piano and long legato vocal phrases. "little man in a hurry' - Full of colorful contrasts, this final movement from The City and the Sea dances with fun and humor! The rhythmic wordplay and deconstructed syllables poem hurtle ever faster to the final sudden "stop" for an extraordinary concert finale.

Songlist: little man in a hurry, as is the sea marvelous, maggie and milly and molly and may, the moon is hiding in her hair, i walked the boulevard

Voicing: a-cappella/arrangements/choral-modern/

Review: Go, Lovely Rose is structured around the cyclical life of a rose, and is connected throughout by the opening 'rose motif,' a seed that begins on the tonic and grows in all directions before it blossoms, dies and grows again. Each season is represented. With A Lily In Your Hand is from a prodigious series of poems arranged in thematic "suites," later collected and in 1983 published as Suites. The original poem is titled: Curva. I Hide Myself is a simple little song. All of the musical suggestions come from a careful study of the poem, a quiet, passionate soul occasionally speaking a little bolder than the age will allow. She loves almost to the point of distraction, and this mood must prevail in the performance: shy and sullen, her passion surging to the surface only to sink back into the silence that is herself.

Songlist: Go, Lovely Rose, With a Lily in Your Hand, I Hide Myself

Voicing: a-cappella/arrangements/choral-modern/

Review: Launched in the year 2000, Transient Glory began as a concert performance series of the Young People's Chorus of New York City conducted by Francisco J. Nunez to advance the art of children's choirs throughout the world. The Transient Glory choral series is designed and developed by its editor as a commitment to young voices singing glorious music during that short, transient period of childhood.

Songlist: Colors, Orpheus, The Nervous Family, Un-Labelled, The Smiling Eyes

Voicing: a-cappella/arrangements/treble/

Review: Gabriel Jackson's music has been performed and broadcast throughout Europe and the USA and has been heard, in recent years, in Cape Town, Ho Chi Minh City, Kiev, Kuwait, Sydney, Tokyo and Vancouver. His works have been presented at many festivals in the UK and beyond and his liturgical pieces are in the repertoires of many of Britain's leading cathedral and collegiate choirs and in 2003 he won the liturgical category at the inaugural British Composer Awards. "Salus Aeterna" is a bright and mercurial piece that makes full use of the delicious fleeting harmonies and close-written sonoroties of its flowing melodic lines. It sets a Sequence for Advent Sunday that looks forward to Christ's coming and subsequent judgement of all things. The exquisite miniature "O Thou That Art The Light" sets an intimate prayer by St Augustine of Hippo asking for God's grace to know and serve Him. Simple and homophonic it is infused with Jackson's characteristic passion and luminosity. "O fear the Lord" sets two verses from Psalm 34. A controlled organum-style opening gives way to a more fervent, harmonic middle section. An approachable and beautiful piece. "Salve Regina" is an exquisite piece, simple and homophonic in style, and with a luminescent beauty characteristic of many of Jackson's choral works. The piece begins quietly and reverently. There is a graceful soprano solo in the central section, after which the harmony opens out and richly blossoms in ecstatic praise of the Virgin Mary, before ending serenely as it began.

Songlist: I Look From Afar, Salve Regina, O Fear The Lord, O Thou That Art The Light, Salus Aeterna

Voicing: a-cappella/arrangements/choral-england/