Judith Herrington : Born in a Symphony

For the American Choral Directors Association National Convention, this piece to be premiered under the direction of Randy Stenson. Relating our lives to instruments in an orchestra, this piece encourages us to live our song. The music is powerful and motivating with rhythms and melodies that are driving and uplifting. Also available in SSAA.

Judith Herrington : Life Has Loveliness

Originally commissioned for SA voices by Manhattan Concert Productions and premiered at Carnegie Hall, this selection that celebrates the beauty of life as is now available for SAB. Presented in a musical idiom that is both straightforward and melodically interesting, the piece is a strong choice for high school concert choirs. Easy to medium in difficulty.

Sing a new song, Cantate Dominum, are the words that begin this energetic and celebratory piece. The opening section in 7/8 absolutely dances and thankfully returns for a joyous conclusion. The middle section poetically brings in the beauty of creation. This SSA voicing can be sung together with the SATB voicing, P1716. A great festival piece that can also be sung in worship.

This macaronic piece brings together the Spanish and English languages, and it is the invigorating and inspiring text that drives the rhythm and energy of this creative song. A previous choral release by Ms. Herrington also utilizing the poetry of Bianca Chamusco, Born in a Symphony, is a definite partner. Wonderful for high school and college concert. Medium.

Commissioned by the Texas Choral Directors Association for their 2010 convention, this piece was premiered under the direction of Dr. Rollo Dilworth. Relating our lives to instruments in an orchestra, this piece encourages us to live our song. The music is powerful and motivating with rhythms and melodies that are driving and uplifting.

In the tradition of her songs of the world series that have been so successful, Judy Herrington has created a marvelous arrangement of this Bolivian lullaby. Perfect for children and youth choirs, the simple choral lines can be sung in unison or 2-parts. As always, her fine craftsmanship brings elegance and distinction to this multicultural song.

Country: Bolivia

A beautiful melody from County Donegal in Ireland and early 20th century lyrics will provide a lovely showcase for treble choirs in children's choirs and middle schools. With interesting mixed meter piano interludes, each verse is set beautifully for young voices and includes references to several Gaelic mythological creatures.

Country: Ireland

Well known for her hugely popular pieces for children and youth choirs, Judith Herrington brings us Gatatumba. A Christmas villancico from Andalucia, the writing is smart and skillful and the words are simply fun to sing! Pronunciation guide and translation are provided.

Country: Spain

Judy Herrington established her reputation through her conducting work with the Tacoma Youth Chorus. Later, her books, folk song arrangements and choral series produced an ardent following. This a cappella arrangement of one of the great American hymns is another tribute to her excellent work.

This beautiful setting of Robert Louis Stevenson's text display's Judith Herrington's compositional creativity. Best known for her folk song arrangements, this selection was first released in an SSA voicing. The vocal lines move liltingly through the words which honor the events and relationships in our lives. This piece will work well with high school, college and festival choirs.

Poetry By: Robert Louis Stevenson | Country: British Isles

Set to the majestic This is the day that the Lord hath made psalm text, this highly flexible a cappella work is especially good for a multi-choir festival or concert. Short and accessible, the work opens antiphonally with fanfare-like phrases, moving to a more subdued contrasting section before returning to the opening music for an uplifting conclusion.

Commissioned for the 2010 Washington Music Educators Convention, Judith Herrington has composed a wonderful piece for children's choir. Already acclaimed as a specialist for young voices, and music arranger, her compositional skills are now rising to the surface. Excellent for festival use, the text celebrates singing and friendship.

This is a fantastic festival piece. The antiphonal nature of the piece begs for creative use of the performance space. The Latin words taken from the Psalms are joyful and general, the parts are easily learned, and the piece works as a great opener or closer for high school choirs. Judith Herrington is a seasoned and respected teacher and that is evidenced in this great selection. Easy to Medium.

Commissioned by Manhattan Concert Productions and premiered at Carnegie Hall, this is a selection that celebrates the beauty of life. The writing is straight-forward, melodic and interesting. A strong high school concert selection that is easy to medium in difficulty.

This Armenian folk song is an excellent candidate for Judy Herrington's Songs of the World series. An homage to the moon, it is more of a metaphor of appreciation for all light that shines into the places of darkness. Great for young voices it can also be effective with 2-Part choirs of all ages. Easy to medium.

Filled with emotion and imagery of nature, the text by Anne Brontë inspires the composition. Beginning with an introspective folk-like melody, the composition emerges into a passionate expression of carefree ecstasy with a return to the original melancholic melody.

In this poem, is Longfellow describing sounds from the sea, or the tides of our own soul? Judy Herrington sets song to this text that keeps the question open. The rushing waves emanate from the piano accompaniment and toss onto the shore through the choral statements with ease. Excellent for young voices, high school and college treble choirs. Easy to Medium.

This early American folk song is a lively number with percussive hand claps and will showcase treble choirs of all ages, especially high school and college.

Composer: Jonathan Larson | Lyricist: Jonathan Larson | Country: United States | Musical: Rent

The use of Tibetan Bells and Wind Chimes provides an ethereal atmosphere that is echoed in the music and text. Originally written for treble choir, this new voicing is most effective. The description of the surrounding nature and stars becomes sound in this beautiful composition. Its festival use has already become popular for any season.

Sponsored by the University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, this folk song is from a collection of native songs from the area. The singer envies the owl who has wings and can visit a loved one. The beauty of the folk song is in its earthy melody, and Judith Herrington has added a youthful innocence with her playful arrangement.

Sponsored by the University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, this folk song is from a collection of songs native to the area. Tengo translates as I have but what the song is really saying is I have plenty. It is a playful children's folk song which teases a neighbor in sharing the animals' I have and what they produce, compared to the neighbor who has nothing. Judith Herrington has arranged it delightfully for 2-part voices with an entertaining piano accompaniment.

Country: Latin America

Though you bind it to the blowing wind and you buckle it to the moon, the night will slip away like a sorrow or a tune. The poetry of Eleanor Farjeon is so evocative, and Judith Herrington knows just how to set it for young voices to sing. This is a beautiful song for concert or festival use.

Premiered at the 2005 ACDA convention, this setting of a poem by William Butler Yeats begs the listener to tread softly on our dreams. Available for SSAA and TTBB.

Poetry By: William Butler Yeats

The question in the title may seem abstract but learning that the poet was five and the profundity behind her thoughts is the first impressive moment. The first melody line holds the weight of the question. The second melody dances while your thoughts become dazzled. Returning to the first theme you enjoy the unanswered questions of the ages from the innocence of youth. Easy.

Singers will enjoy the images and feelings conveyed in this work set to a poem from the early 20th century. Vibrant mixed meters and optional cello enhance this joyful festival piece. Opt. cello part included. Duration: ca. 2:15.