Literature
Recommendations from your R&S Chairs
by
James Kinchen,
WCDA State R&S Chair
Spring/Summer
2002 issue of Soundings, the WCDA Newsletter
Two-Year
College “High Five”
Submitted
by
James Aagaard
1. Geistliches
Lied op. 30 J.Brahms/ed. Soldan
(Let
Nothing
ever Grieve Thee)
Peters
edition
#6093
SATB,
organ
(or piano 3 hands)
The
part of
this piece that I like best is the Amen, which has a pedal point low
E-flat
with descending chains of double suspensions above. Brahms at his most
gorgeous, and not too difficult. (Peter Gibeau - UW-Washington Co.)
2. Water
Night Eric Whitacre
Walton
Music
Corp., SSAATTBB, unaccomp.
Whitacre
writes
wonderfully evocative music that is both a pleasure to sing and to
hear.
Even with the extreme voicing (it varies from unison to 15 parts), it
is
attainable by better large choirs. (Shane Lynch - UW-Barron Co.)
3. Gloria
Jonathan Willcocks
Roger
Dean
Publishing/Lorenz Corp.
edition
#65/1932R,
SATB, Brass, Percussion and Organ (or full Orchestra)
A
three-movement
work of about 20 minutes in the style of Rutter’s “Gloria”; perhaps not
as tough or as pleasing but very interesting. It was commissioned by
the
Brad Smith Foundation and dedicated to the musicians of Appleton West
HS.
(Gerald Stitch - UW-Baraboo)
4. El
Grillo
(The Cricket) Josquin DesPrez adapted and translated
by
Marlin
Merrill
Oxford
University
Press, SATB, unaccomp.
A
charming
frottola imitating the chirping of crickets; a light and forward
placement
of sound is essential for the language, tempo and “cricketesqueness.”
(Pat
Eby - UW-Fond du Lac)
5. Three
Poems from the Chinese E.T. Childs
Mark
Foster
- edition #MF 3066, SAB, piano
Once
again
I’m recommending an SAB piece. Here’s a gem that should not only be
done
when your numbers are weak. Yes, it’s possible for a good junior high
choir,
but deserves to be heard from mature voices (and I defy anyone to find
the “missing part”). Voice leading is superb and the piano part is much
more than simple accompaniment; it adds neat overtones and
countermelodies.
Winner of the Illinois ACDA composition award, this setting of words
from
the Chinese poet, Tu Fu, is gorgeous writing and, because of a number
of
long non-symmetric phrases, not quite as easy as it looks. (Jim
Aagaard—UW-Richland)
Children’s
Choir Music with Distinctive Texts
Submitted
by
Karen Bruno
1. Bee!
I’m
Expecting You! Emma Lou Diemer
Alliance
Music
Pub., Inc #AMP0004
Unison
treble
voices, piano
This
lively
piece is set to a poem written by Emily Dickinson. While the melodic
contour
is not difficult, there are many rhythmic challenges posed by frequent
eighth and quarter rests and changing meter. The piano accompaniment is
brilliantly written and very evocative of the bee and the fly in the
poem.
This is a terrifically fun piece for both singers and audience members.
2. Taivas
on Sininen arr. Donald Patriquin
(Finnish
Folk
Song), earthsongs
SSA,
piano
and optional cello This beautifully lyrical melody is in minor mode and
is very accessible for
younger
choirs.
The text is reflective and appropriate for both boys and girls.
Adolescents,
in particular, will appreciate the text: “The sky is blue and white and
full of stars; So also is my young heart full of
thoughts….”
The vocal-piano interaction is lovely; however, consider omitting the
cello,
as it feels somewhat clumsy. The Finnish text will not be difficult for
young singers. A pronunciation guide written in IPA is available from
the
publisher.
3. Birdsong
Paul Read
Boosey
&
Hawkes #M-051-46951-2
2-part
treble
voices, piano
A child
in
the Terezin concentration camp wrote the poem that became the text of
this
song. Although the child undoubtedly saw and endured unspeakable
hardships,
s/he writes of beauty and love of life. The piano accompaniment helps
this
song sparkle, and the key changes add tremendous color. The opening and
closing of this very accessible song are predominantly unison and there
are solo opportunities in the middle section. Consider the CMP
possibilities;
much has been written about the Terezin camp, and many more poems
written
by young people in the camp have survived.
4. Sarajevo
Scott Nathan Louis
Oxford
Univ.
Press No.95.423, SSA, piano
In the
current
atmosphere of war, Sarajevo is a very appropriate song for our
children’s
choruses to be singing. The text deals with the war-ravaged city of
Sarajevo
and the emotions experienced by a young person: “The more I think, the
less I understand/A cavern of sorrow yawns inside me...” Voice parts
are
very independent from the piano accompaniment; there are some
unaccompanied
spots where tuning can be difficult to maintain. If you have a more
advanced
children’s choir, your singers may have read The Diary of Anne Frank or
Zlata’s Diary. Both books offer opportunities to discuss war from a
child’s
perspective. Consider discussing current events in Afghanistan to
further
illuminate the text.
5. Fair
Warning
Shirley W. McRae
Plymouth
Music
Co #HL-206, SSA, piano
The
text for
this song is the poem by Jenny Joseph that begins “When I am an old
woman,
I shall wear purple...” The song is written in a playful manner that
allows
both
the singers and audience members to enjoy the text. The accompaniment
contains
quite a bit of word painting, imitating raindrops in one spot and a
stick
running along a railing in another. This is an especially fun piece for
a girl choir to perform. If you have a mixed treble choir, consider
programming
this piece to give “equal time;” how many times have your girls
performed
love songs or sea chanteys written from a male perspective?
Middle
Level
Songs with Distinctive Texts
Submitted
by
Pauline Amborn
1. Stopping
By Woods on a Snowy Evening Vera Kistler (words
by
Robert Frost)
CPP
Belwin
#SV9106, unison or 2-part, piano, optional flute and sleigh bells
This
piece
is not difficult to learn, but the task lies in making it musical and
actually
setting the mood of this classic Robert Frost poem. Changing meters and
some fairly challenging intervals keep it interesting for both singers
and audience. An independent piano accompaniment helps to create
interest
as well.
2. Something
Told the Wild Geese Sherri Porterfield
(words
by Rachel Field)
Heritage
Music
#1025-3(SAB) or #5890-3(2-part), SAB or 2-part, piano
Either
arrangement
of this lovely secular winter piece works well for middle level voices.
There are challenges with phrasing and tuning, but the effort is well
worth
it. The ranges are not extreme, but they do push the singers to support
higher ends of their ranges while still maintaining the appropriate
mood
and expression.
3. Who
Has
Seen the Wind? Audrey Snyder (words by Christina
Rosetti)
CPP
Belwin
#SV8727, 2-part, piano
A
hauntingly
beautiful quality surrounds this short but lovely piece. The ranges are
very equal, and there is a great need for pure vowels to keep the
harmonies
in tune. Some easy echo effects and some more challenging harmonic
passages
imitate the sounds of the wind. The piano accompaniment is fairly
independent
from the singers and has a beauty and shape of its own.
4. The
River
Sleeps Beneath the Sky Mary Lynn Lightfoot (words
by Paul Laurence Dunbar)
Heritage
Music
#1305H-3, 3-part mixed, piano
This
gorgeous
setting of Dunbar’s poem “Sunset” is also available for 2-part (1304H)
and SSA (1306H) voicings. The boys’ line in this three-part version
calls
for supported and careful singing near the top of their range. This is
a fantastic piece for teaching phrasing and portrayal of text. It is
not
an easy piece, but it is well worth the effort.
5. What
Do
the Stars Do? Sherri Porterfield (words by
Christina
Rossetti)
Alfred
Publishing
#19282, SAB, piano
If
you’re looking
to challenge your choir, this is a wonderful choice! There are
unaccompanied
sections that open and close the piece, a wide range of expressive and
dynamic possibilities, and a powerful text. The main theme of the
piece,
sung by all three voice parts, covers an octave and will require much
attention
to the descending pitches. So dramatic and well-written! Also available
SATB (#19281) and SSA (#11602).
High
School
“High Five”
Submitted
by
Mary Bigus
1. Daemon
Irrepit Callidus Gyorgy Orban
Hinshaw
Music
Edition # HMC ? 1537
SATB
(also
available in TTBB), unaccomp.
What a
fun,
playful piece! It is not as difficult as it may appear. The chromatic
scales
prove to be a wonderful tuning exercise across the sections and the
text
is filled with frenetic mischief of the devil and adds a touch of spice
to any concert.
2. Lux
Aeterna
E. Elgar, arr. Cameron
Novello
&
Co. Limited #Nov ? 290690
SSAATTBB,
unaccompanied
This is
a choral
setting of “Nimrod” from the Enigma Variations. It is a very difficult,
yet stunning arrangement for an advanced choir. You will find there is
a great demand in the following areas: phrasing, breath control and
tessitura
in the first sopranos and first tenors. A great piece to challenge your
mature singers.
3. J’entends
le Moulin arr. Donald Patriquin
(No. 1
of Trois
Chansons Folkloriques)
earthsongs,
SATB, piano
This
selection
was originally called “Mon pere a fait batir maison” (My Father Built a
House). The text is a play on rhymes and rhythms and is extremely fun
to
sing. The fast percussive rhythmic segments which occur in between the
choral parts, could challenge some singers. Precision and clarity in
all
vocal parts are essential to the work. (A separate piano score and full
conductor’s score is available from the publisher ? Note: it does not
come
with the choral parts.)
4. I
Can
Tell the World arr. Moses Hogan
Hal
Leonard
#08703198
SSAATTBB,
unaccompanied
Another
wonderful
spiritual from Moses Hogan. It’s full of spirit and vigor and your
singers
will love it, but your choir must be able to handle eight part divisi
comfortably.
5. If
Music
Be the Food of Love David Dickau
Colle
Voce
#36-20109
SATB
(also
available for TTBB), piano
The
romantic
style of this setting is so appropriate to the text: “If music be the
food
of love, sing on, sing on, sing on till I am filled with joy.” An
excellent
choice for contest or festival, or any time a selection with a “music”
theme is appropriate.
Boy
Choir
Music by Women Composers
Submitted
by
Judy Tepe
1. Cantate
Domino Nancy Hill Cobb
Santa
Barbara
Music (Robert J. Ward Choral Series) #SBMP 282, SA or TB, piano
This
piece
can be performed by any choir capable of singing two-part music, be it
treble or men. Nancy Cobb’s writing is logical and a quality
accomplishment.
The ABA-Coda form will make teaching and memorization easy. (Text is
Latin
and from Psalm 95.)
2. Bless
This House May H. Brahe arr. Roy Ringwald
Shawnee
Press
#E 0130, SA, piano
A
moving piece
for church or wedding. This song has been a standard of mine for
boychoirs.
Changing dynamics and phrasing add to the fun.
3. Winds
of Peace Nancy Grundahl
(Ruach,
Ruach)
arr. Henry Leck
Colla
Voce
#HL-264, SSAA, piano and flute
“Winds
of Peace”
may also be performed to satisfaction as an unaccompanied round.
Children
enjoy singing it even without a conductor or accompaniment. The flute
obligatto
may be effectively played on the violin, and the opening instrumental
solo
line may also be done as an unaccompanied vocal solo, with flute or
violin
entering at measure 21.
4. Marching
With the River Vera Kistler
Alliance
Publications
#1-57193-198-8, AP-1037
SA,
piano
Although
Kistler
wrote this piece when she was battling an illness, the message of the
text
can have meaning for each of us, as we try to keep “marching on…. We
are
marching to the sea, each with his River, each singing her song.”
5. When
Children
Sing Mary Goetze
Boosey&Hawkes
#OCTB6764, SA, piano
This
piece
was commissioned by the Young Naperville Singers in 1994 in honor of
their
founder, Helen Grubbs. This is yet another piece for boys and girls to
sing during this time of trial in our country and the world. “When
children
learn to sing, they rise up strong…. And when the world turns cold,
Then
music will be bread to warm their souls.”
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