In Celebration of the Human Voice - The Essential Musical Instrument

American Choral Music Arrangements

In the long tradition of choral music the United States is a relative newcomer. Over the past century however American choral music has developed its own style and has produced many great choral composers including such greats as Morten Lauridsen, Randall Thompson, Stephen Foster and of course Eric Whitacre. Here we offer a selection of American choral sheet music arrangements.

Displaying 101-150 of 219 items.

Melodious Accord - Alice Parker : Take Me To The Water

Review: The Musicians of Melodious Accord are a 16-voice professional chorus in New York City, offering recordings and concerts of many styles. Their conductor, Alice Parker, is internationally known as a composer, arranger, conductor and teacher, with a passion for true folksongs. "Take Me to the Water" is the command, request and plea (founded on John 4:14) made by those who seek the "well of water springing up into everlasting life." It serves as a unifying phrase for the powerful African-American spiritual songs in this collection, which come from the mid-19th century and earlier, from such sources as "Slave Songs," published in NY in 1867. 13 a cappella songs, sung with tremendous feeling, strength and sweetness by the MMA, from "I Know the Lord," "Come On Up to Bright Glory" and "Hush! Hush!" to "Free at Last," the title tune, and "Who'll Be a Witness." "Take Me" is a beautiful, inspirational collection!

Songlist: I Know the Lord, Stayed on Jesus, Come On Up to Bright Glory, Don't Be Weary, Traveler, Hush! Hush!, We WIll March Through the Valley, He Is King of Kings, Let Us Break Bread Together, Is There Anybody Here, Free At Last, Take Me to the Water, Cert'nly, Lord, Who'll Be A Witness

Meredith Monk : A Cappella

Review: Meredith Monk is an acclaimed composer, singer, director/choreographer and creator of new opera, music theater works, films and installations. A pioneer in what is now called "extended vocal technique" and "interdisciplinary performance," Monk creates works that thrive at the intersection of music and movement, image and object, light and sound in an effort to discover and weave together new modes of perception. Here are a cappella arrangements for mixed voices of some of her works that will challenge and reward.

Songlist: Astronaut Anthem, Panda Chant II, Earth As Seen From Above

Meredith Monk : Three Heavens and Hells

Review: Based on a text by Tennessee Reed, the 11 year-old daughter of author Ishmael Reed. Three Heavens and Hells may be performed by a children's or adult chorus of treble voices.

Songlist: Three Heavens And Hells

Milton Babbitt : Music For The Mass

Review: An early work by Milton Babbitt, it employs a rigorous contrapuntal style and demonstrates a stunning command of advanced compositional techniques including inverted counterpoint, juxtapositions of motifs and extreme chromaticism, yet remains eminently singable and melodic.

Songlist: Kyrie, Gloria, Sanctus, Benedictus, Agnus Dei

Morten Lauridsen : A Cappella Choral Compositions

Review: This collection of Lauridensen's aural artisanship contains hits such as "O Nata Lux," a serene a cappella motet celebrating the Redeemer, "Ubi Caritas Et Amor," a motet composed "in celebration and gratitude for the glorious and enduring service to God," as well as a setting of "Ave Maria" specially composed as a seventieth birthday gift to Maestro Salamunovich.

Songlist: O Nata Lux, Ave Maria, Ubi Caritas et Amor, Soneto de la Noche

Morten Lauridsen : Les Chansons Des Roses

Review: "Les Chansons des Roses" is a collection of compositions based on the poetry of Rainer Maria Rilke. Says Lauridsend of his selection: "(Rilke') poems on roses struck me as expecially charming, filled with gorgeous lyricism, deftly crafted and elegant in their imagery. There exquisite poems are primarily light, joyous and playful, and the musical settings are designed to enhance these characteristics and capture their delicate beauty and sensuousness."

Songlist: Dirait-on, Contre Qui Rose, De Ton Reve Trop Plein, La Rose Complete, En Une Seule Fleur

Morten Lauridsen : Six Fire Songs

Review: THhe Six Fire Songs have been featured at major choral festivals around the world. Hailed by the Los Angeles Times as "stunningly crafted", the Madrigalli are unified by romantic references to fire in each of the poems. Characteristic Italian Rennaissance "madrigalisms" such as word painting, modality, bold harmonic shifts, intricate counterpoint and augenmusik occur throughout the cycle.

Songlist: Amor, Io Sento L'Alma, Ov'e Lass, Il Bel Viso?, Quando son piu Lontan, Io Pango, Se Per Favervi, oime, Luci serene e Chiare

Ned Rorem : Seven Motets For the Church Year

Review: Ned Rorem's 'Seven Motets for the Church Year' was commissioned by All Saints Episcopal Church in Ft. Laurderdale, FL, on the occasion of its 75th Anniversary. All seven movements are beautiful 4 part settings of Antiphons, to be used throughout the year.

Songlist: While All Things Were In Quiet Silence, Before the Morning Star Begotten, Lay Up For Yourselves, Praise Him Who Was Crucified, God Is Gone Up, Today the Holy Spirit Appeared, Rejoice We All in the Lord

New York Voices : Old Friends

Review: This new choral collection represents and celebrates the incredible cross-section of high-level artistry of the beloved New York Voices - the award-winning vocal jazz group the world has adored for nearly 30 years. Peter Eldridge, Lauren Kinhan, Darmon Meader, and Kim Nazarian have defined and raised the bar for jazz ensemble arranging and singing style and have influenced and inspired musicians, audiences, and music educators with every arrangement, workshop, and performance.

This collection includes personal photographs, historical notes regarding New York Voices, words of tribute from other well-known jazz musicians, and personal memoirs from each member. The songs range from traditional standards like "I'll Be Seeing You,", "Sing, Sing, Sing," and Ellington's "Bli-Blip," to contemporary classics from Paul Simon and a Peter Eldridge original. Now you can learn, sing, and enjoy these outstanding jazz vocal arrangements that have been crafted by the New York Voices.

Songlist: Baby Driver, Bli-Blip, Bookends, Come Home, I'll Be Seeing You, Me & Julio Down by the School Yard, Mother And Child Reunion, Old Friends, Sing, Sing, Sing, Smack Dab In The Middle, Why Don't You Write Me

New York Voices - Darmon Meader : Sing Paul Simon

Review: These Paul Simon classics has been dynamically arranged by Peter Eldridge and Darmon Meader and recorded by the venerable New York Voices. Smooth jazz vocals and solo lines play against a rhythmic percussion background making up these hot charts that were recorded on the CD New York Voices Sing the Songs of Paul Simon. For show choir or vocal jazz ensemble, this humorous and energetic arrangement features a Louisiana Cajun groove of "Why Don't You Write Me?," allows for a lot of solo lines interspersed with group vocals and includes a fun swing section as well. Fabulous! Piano accompanied.

Songlist: Mother and Child Reunion, Me & Julio Down by the School Yard, Loves Me Like A Rock, Why Don't You Write Me?

Nina Gilbert : Three Shaker Spirituals

Review: Explore the American heritage of Shaker hymnody with these three settings of lesser-known, very appealing Shaker spirituals. Each brief setting grows from its underlying melody to make an exceptionally unified arrangement. With a different technique as the focus for each arrangement, these minute-long pieces make fine vocalises for your choir. "Oh the beautiful treasure," with its square rhythms, horn calls, and harmonic texture opening out and closing, is excellent for teaching chord tuning. "We will walk with Mother and mourn," with its smooth, stepwise, rising and falling melody, is a fine exercise for legato singing. "Hop up and jump up," with its crisp rhythms and phrase fragments tossed from part to part, calls for rhythmic clarity and clean entrances and cutoffs.

Songlist: Oh, The Beautiful Treasure, We Will Walk with Mother and Mourn, Hop Up and Jump Up

Norman Luboff : A Cappella Arrangements 1

Review: The Norman Luboff Choir became one of the leading choral groups in the world, recording a wide variety of music on more than seventy-five LPs and touring yearly from 1963 to 1987. As an educator, Mr. Luboff was in much demand, guest conducting all-state, clinic, and festival choirs of every description in the United States and abroad. Here's a wonderful collection of fun a cappella arrangements from the maestro himself.

Songlist: Baloo Lammy, Ben Franklin Sez, Black Is the Color, Go to Sleepy, Much More Ado About Nothings (Collection), Nobody Knows the Trouble I've Seen

Norman Luboff : A Cappella Christian Arrangements

Review: A collection of sacred music from one of America's greatest choral directors.

Songlist: Ezekiel Saw De Wheel, Flow My Tears, The Lord's My Shepherd, The Meeting of the Waters, Psalm 150, The Proverbial Contradictions of Life (Collection), Reflections

Norman Luboff : Cowboy Songs

Review: Get some "giddy up" to your repertoire by adding a classic cowboy folk song to your concert material. Evoke the life on the range with these fabulous arrangements by one of the most successful ever choral director. Lots of fun to sing and bound to please the audience! Some with piano accompaniment.

Songlist: Ghost Riders In The Sky, The Streets of Laredo, The Colorado Trail, Doney Gal, The Old Chisholm Trail, Poor Lonesome Cowboy

Norman Luboff : Much Ado About Nothings

Review: With the sub-title of "13 Paradoxical Pithy Paraphrases for Punaccompanied Pchoir" these very short pieces are a delight. Some of the texts are from epigrams, proverb, signboards etc. most of them however are completely manufactured nonsense. Lots of fun here.

Songlist: Something Lovely, Punctuality, Prayer, Age Before Beauty, Mother, A Fool, Two Heads, The Centipeded, My Aunt, Love, Tally Ho, Air Pollution, That's All

P.D.Q. Bach - Peter Schickele : A Consort of Choral Christmas Carols

Review: Professor Peter Schickele is an American treasure who is been delighting audiences for almost half a century with his clever, humorous and very entertaining alter ego P.D.Q. Bach. Here are three of his finest songs for SSAA voices. Fun for singers and audiences alike!

Songlist: Throw The Yule Log On, Uncle John, O Little Town of Hackensack, Good King Kong Looked Out

P.D.Q. Bach - Peter Schickele : Madcap Madrigals

Review: A whimsical collection of original madrigals written by the maestro of classical mirth. Your ensemble will have as much fun singing them as the audience does listening.

Songlist: My Bonnie Lass She Smelleth, Four Curmudgeonly Canons, The Queen to Me a Royal Pain Doth Give, O Little Town of Hackensack, Throw The Yule Log On, Uncle John, Good King Kong Looked Out, Two Hearts, Four Lips, Three Little Words

Patti DeWitt : Five Songs For Treble Voice

Review: These creative settings add to the growing body of a cappella literature for the developing choir. These songs are especially appropriate for your a cappella feature at contest.

Songlist: Sourwood Mountain, Elegy, Come, Ye Young Maidens, Star Light, Star Bright, I Never Will Marry

Pentatonix : Pentatonix

Review: The 2015 album release by these a cappella masters and winners of NBC's The Sing Off in 2011 topped the Billboard 200 album charts and features all original material. Our matching songbook features piano/vocal/guitar arrangements (including full vocal harmonies) for all 16 songs from the CD

Songlist: Can't Sleep Love, Cheerleader, Cracked, First Things First, If I Ever Fall In Love, Lean On, Light In The Hallway, Misbehavin', Na Na Na, New Years Day, Ref, Rose Gold, Sing, Take Me Home, Water, Where Are U Now

Pentatonix : Pentatonix Christmas for Female Voices Vol 2

Review: A second collection of popular Chrsitmas songs from a cappella sensations Pentatonix. "Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays" - From the album A Pentatonix Christmas, the popular vocal group puts their unique stamp on the 1998 holiday song by NSYNC. The original song "New Year's Day" is one of the hits from their 2015 album release Pentatonix Here is a gentle lullaby "Light In The Hallway" written and performed by the group. This arrangement can be sung a cappella or with the piano and bass provided. Suitable for concert, jazz or show choirs. Their fresh take on "Up on the Housetop" will have your audience bouncing in their seats. A contemporary take on the seasonal favorite "Deck the Halls". Modern harmonies and and rhythms are used for the chorus and a vocal solo

Songlist: Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, Light In The Hallway, Up on the Housetop, Deck the Halls

Pentatonix : Pentatonix Christmas for Mixed Voices Vol 2

Review: A second collection of popular Chrsitmas songs from a cappella sensations Pentatonix. "Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays" - From the album A Pentatonix Christmas, the popular vocal group puts their unique stamp on the 1998 holiday song by NSYNC. A stand-out arrangement of "O Come All Ye Faithful" which reached No. 2 on Billboard 200. Set a cappella, it includes optional piano accompaniment and percussion making a fresh new take on the timeless carol and sure to be a holiday staple year after year. Here is a gentle lullaby "Light In The Hallway" written and performed by the Pentatonix. This arrangement can be sung a cappella or with the piano and bass provided. Suitable for concert, jazz or show choirs. Their fresh take on "Up on the Housetop" will have your audience bouncing in their seats. A contemporary take on the seasonal favorite "Deck the Halls". Modern harmonies and and rhythms are used for the chorus and a vocal solo sets the whole thing up.

Songlist: Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, O Come, All Ye Faithful, Light In The Hallway, Up on the Housetop, Deck the Halls

Pentatonix : Pentatonix Christmas for SAB Voices Vol 2

Songlist: Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, New Year's Day, Light In The Hallway, Up on the Housetop, Deck the Halls

Pentatonix : PTX, Volume 2 Songbook

Review: Winners of the third season of NBC's The Sing-Off, this songbook from Texas-based a cappella group Pentatonix is presented here in arrangements with chord symbols, lead vocal lines and full vocal harmonies.

Songlist: Ah-Ha, The Baddest Girl, Hey Momma/Hit The Road Jack, I Need Your Love, Love Again, Love You Long Time, Natural Disaster, Run To You, Show You How To Love, Starships, Valentine, We Are Young

Pentatonix : Vol 3 Songbook

Review: Six songs from the 2014 album by the winners of the NBC show The Sing-Off. These complete arrangements feature chord symbols, lead vocal lines, and full vocal harmonies from the following selections from this release which peaked at #5 on the Billboard 200 Album Charts. With keyboards.

Songlist: Fireflies, Count On Me, It's My Life, Dynamite, Never Say Never, I Gotta Feeling

Peter Schickele : Go For Broke - A Comedy For Chorus

Review: Around the turn of the 17th century of small group of Italian noblemen and composers, seeking to re-create classic Greek tragedy as they understood it. invented the opera. A somewhat earlier, simpler, and less revolutionary form of musical storytelling was the madrigal opera or madrigal comedy developed by Vecchi and other composers. These works, which were not necessarily staged, consisted of a series of madrigals that told a comic story; unlike opera as we have come to know it, however, this was basically choral form, with vocal ensemble playing the part of a narrator as well as that of each individual character.

Go For Broke is patterned on this model. It consists of six madrigals, that tell the story of a man who find out that good luck is not enough. Sometimes the chorus' words are those of a narrator (Prologue: "Here's John Q. Public..."), and sometimes they are those of our hero himself, or his friend the bartender, or the host of people who descend upon him when good fortune strikes (the middle numbers: Taxes, Charity, and Company at the Bar). The Finale even has a moral. The piece may be done as a concert work or it may be staged in a variety of ways. Although some of the sections may, at the discretion of the performing group, employ solo voices, GO FOR BROKE is basically a story told by a chorus.

Songlist: Prologue, Taxes, Charity, Kin, Company at the Bar, Finale

Philip Glass : Three Choruses for Mixed Voices

Review: Philip Glass has consistently written for choruses throughout his career including major operas (Satyagraha, The Voyage) and large orchestral works (symphonies Nos. 5 & 7, Passion of Ramakrishna). However, Three Songs is unique as the composer's only a cappella choral work.

Songlist: A Clear Midnight, Haze Gold, Spring Grass

Randall Thompson : A Cappella Compositions for Mixed Voices

Review: Since that day in 1940, 'Alleluia' this classic of classics has become one of the nation's most-often performed choral works. Rare is the church, school, community, or professional choir that has not sung it. The masterful construction and simplicity of text (Alleluia, Amen) make the Alleluia suitable for almost any choir for almost any occasion. 'The Gate of Heaven' Composed for the dedication of the Jessie Ball duPont Chapel, Hollins College, Virginia, 1959. It is particularly suitable for the dedication of religious buildings. The Eternal Dove was composed in 1968 to honor Harvard University Professor G. Wallace Woodworth. It is closely related to the composer's Mass of the Holy Spirit of which Dr. Woodworth gave the first complete performance. 'Fare Well' was written for performance by the combined high scholl choirs of Calhoun, Kennedy, and Mepham, New York, in 1973. The three-stanza poem by Walter De La Mare (1873-1956) closes with, "Look thy last on all things lovely, / Every hour. Let no night / Seal thy sense in deathly slumber / Till to delight / Thou have paid thy utmost blessing; Since that all things wouldst praise / Beauty took from those who loved them / In other days." 'Bitter Sweet' was first performed by the choir of the Church of the Incarnation, New York City, on Oct. 25, 1970, under the direction of Thomas Dunn, who first called Thompson's attention to George Herbert's poignant and profoundly religious poem.

Songlist: The Eternal Dove, Fare Well, The Gate Of Heaven, Bitter - Sweet, Alleluia

Randall Thompson : A Cappella Compositions for Women's Voices

Review: Five choral works by one of the master's of 20th century American choral music. Randall Thompson's Alleluia. Since 1940, this classic of classics has become one of the nation's most-often performed choral works. Rare is the church, school, community, or professional choir that has not sung it. The masterful construction and simplicity of text (Alleluia, Amen) make the Alleluia suitable for almost any choir for almost any occasion. "The Gate of Heaven" was composed for the dedication of the Jessie Ball duPont Chapel, Hollins College, Virginia, 1959. It is particularly suitable for the dedication of religious buildings. "Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep" In response to a complaint from his students about having to use Latin texts, Dr. Thompson composed this motet at the blackboard for his class in modal counterpoint. The text is the familiar bedtime prayer from The New England Primer. "Pueri Hebraeorum" was composed in 1928 for the Wellesley College Choir, when the enrollment grew to twice the size the chancel could accommodate. The choirs sang back and forth from opposite ends of the chapel. Jacob Handl's Haec Dies had suggested the pattern for eight-part chorus. The voice parts may be doubled by two quartets of similar instruments. The text is in Latin. Particularly suitable for Palm Sunday. "Rosemary", the name of Thampson's daughter, was commission by the Women's University Glee Club of New York and is based on a cycle of American verse. Any one of these compositions would make an interesting and rewarding addition to a women's choir repertoire.

Songlist: Alleluia, The Gate of Heaven, Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep, Pueri Hebraeorum, Rosemary

Randall Thompson : A Choral Legacy

Review: Reprinted from the American Choral Review, this special issue was compiled to honor the composer on his 75th birthday. Contains critical essays by James Haar, Elliot Forbes, and Alfred Mann, and extended notes by Dr. Thompson. Dates of composition and first performances also included. A rich source for studies of his music and for the writing of program notes.

Songlist: Preface, Writing For Amateur Chorus, On Contrapuntal Technique, The Story Of Alleluia, Notes On A Requiem, Randall Thompson and The Music Of The Past, Psalm And Gospel Settings, Americana, Five Love Songs, List Of Choral Works, Index Of Choral Works

Randall Thompson : Mass of the Holy Spirit

Review: This communion service, though appropriate for any season of the Church year, was designed especially for use at Whitsuntide. It can also serve very effectively as concert repertoire, either in its entirety or excerpted. The movements are in English (except for the Kyrie).

Songlist: Kyrie, Gloria, Credo, Sanctus, Benedictus, Hosanna, Agnus Dei

Randall Thompson : Peaceable Kingdom

Review: A sequence of sacred choruses on texts from the prophecy of Isaiah. Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Douglas Moore (Chairman of the Music Department of Columbia University) wrote to Thompson in 1936, saying, "...I want to go on record in writing' as believing that you have written the best modern choral work I have heard. It is good from every point of view. Technical treatment of the voices, understanding and expression of the text, and actual musical content which is fresh and beautiful." His sentiments have been echoed by choral conductors ever since. The Peaceable Kingdom has become established as a masterpiece of unaccompanied choral writing.

Songlist: Say ye to the righteous, Woe unto them, The noise of the multitude, Howl ye, The paper reeds by the brook, But these are they that forsake the Lord, Have ye not known?, Ye shall have a song

Rene Clausen : A Cappella Compositions Vol. 1

Review: Rene Clausen, conductor of the Concordia Choir, Concordia College, Moorhead, Minnesota, is a graduate of St. Olaf College, Northfield, Minnesota. He holds a Master's degree in conducting performance and a Doctorate of Musical Arts degree in choral conducting from the University of Illinois. Here we present you with 6 of his most well known A Cappella choral selections, a must have for any large, advanced choir!

Songlist: Set Me As A Seal, Sweet Was The Song, Tonight Eternity Alone, Peace I Leave With You, Hosanna

Rene Clausen : A Cappella Compositions Vol. 2

Review: 'Thank The Lord' is a beautiful 4-part sacred folk tune that begins with a great soprano solo. The unique setting of e.e. cummings' celebrated poem 'i thank you God' is a challenge, but the overall effect is stunning. Dissonance, tone color, and texture are ever-changing in this a cappella gem where chord cluster follows chord cluster. Cummings' vividly painted words are well-suited to Rene Clausen's inimitable gift of melody. Clausen's impressionistic 'La Lumiere (The Light)' is a wonderful, sensual experience in tone color and texture. As the poet's spiritual perception changes, he views his visual landscape in a new light. In much the same way, Clausen transforms the listener's aural landscape with layer upon layer of changing harmony and musical texture. Written for a cappella choir with divisi in each voice part, this modern impressionistic choral will showcase the talents of the most discerning ensemble. Choirs capable of singing 8-part harmony will love 'All That Hath life & Breath Praise Ye the Lord.' The lush chords and triumphant sound will also move the audience. Another 8-part gem, 'Magnificat' showcases Clausen's uncanny ability to weave beautiful melodies with intricate harmonies that can both sooth and excite the listener.

Songlist: Thank The Lord, I Thank You God, La Lumiere, All That Hath Life & Breath Praise Ye the Lord!, Magnificat

Rene Clausen : A Cappella Compositions Vol. 3

Review: This compilation contains six, delightful compositions by Rene Clausen for the express enjoyment of your mixed-voice group. "The Early Bird" is a tone poem that lets out all the stops, presenting a wonderful adventure for the advanced choir. "Song at Dusk" is much like a vocal tone poem, in how the soaring melodies dramatically illuminate the poem (by Leigh Haynes). "Plenty Good Room" is guaranteed to bring down the house, swinging with classy, jazz element including a scat solo. "Alleluia" is a dramatic piece containging marvelous harmonic build-up and a sensitive ending. "In the Bleak Midwinter" is a composition based on a poem by Christina Rossetti that was originally a Christmas poem expressing her piety and love for the beauty of nature. "Canticle of Praise" was originally written for the King's Singers (a 6-man ensemble) and the Morman Tabernacle Choir, however, this publication is the version re-scored by the Clausen for performance by his Concordia Choir.

Songlist: The Early Bird, Song at Dusk, Plenty Good Room, Alleluia, In the Bleak Midwinter, Canticle of Praise

Richard Proulx : Six A Cappella Christmas Carols

Review: A superb little collection of six classics, arranged and edited for unaccompanied choir. Useful year after year.

Songlist: Infant Holy, Lo, How a Rose, O Dear Little Children, Gabriel's Message, Sleep, Holy Babe, What Child is This?

Robert DeCormier : Choral Arrangements

Review: Robert DeCormier is an American musical conductor, arranger, and director, and a graduate of the Juilliard School. He has arranged music for many singers and groups, including Harry Belafonte and Peter, Paul, and Mary, and has worked with Milt Okun. DeCormier is perhaps most famous for his spiritual arrangements.here is an a cappella setting of the Sacred Harp melody "Wayfaring Stranger" which has been part of the choral repertoire for many years. If you haven't performed this recently, do it now! There is a delightful vocal jazz choral setting of the classic Dixieland favorite "Ja Da." A real crowd pleaser for any concert! The classic spiritual "JA-DA" should be in the library of every high school choir. Sure to inspire your audience and students alike!

Songlist: He's Got the Whole World in His Hands, Ja-Da, Poor Wayfaring Stranger

Robert DeCormier : Hallelujah

Review: Rediscover the fine arrangements of Robert DeCormier in this elegant new collection of five of his best-loved spirituals.

Songlist: Hallelujah, Walk Together, Children, Stars Shinin' By n' By, Ride On, King Jesus, Let Me Fly

Robert Decormier : Shout For Joy - A Suite of Christmas Spirituals

Review: This exciting suite tells the story of the birth of Christ by weaving spirituals together. The shepherds start the journey with "Rise Up Shepherd". Two other spirituals follow -- "What Month Was My Jesus Born in?" and "The Virgin Mary Had-A One Son" -- leading into "Mary Had a Baby, "Shout For Joy"!" The suite ends with a rousing gospel arrangement of "Go Tell It On The Mountain". This idiomatic suite would be at home in school and church programs alike. Chamber Orchestra Parts are also available on rental for the work.

Songlist: Rise Up Shepherd, What Month Was My Jesus Born in?, The Virgin Mary Had-A One Son, Shout For Joy, Go, Tell it on the Mountain

Robert DeCormier : The Music of Counterpoint

Review: Commissioned by the Vermont Arts Council, this moving setting of 'Everything is Music' (from Pulitzer Prize winner Romain Rolland's text) is a substantial work for advanced ensembles. Expressive vocal lines tell the hallowed story of the Christmas spiritual 'The Glory Manger.' 'The Friendly Beasts' beautifully captures the beloved story of the gentle donkey, pompous cow and sweet dove. The exciting setting of the African-American spiritual, 'Hold on' is inspiring. "Keep your hand on that plow - hold on!"

Songlist: Hold On!, The Glory Manger, Everything Is Music

Robert H. Young : Christmas Choral Anthems for A Cappella Voices

Review: In 'There Is No Rose of Such Virture' Robert H. Young sets Christina Rossetti's Christmas themed text to music with a beautiful melody and soft yet poignant harmonies. 'Songs of Nativity' include 'The Virgin's Cradle Hymn,' and 'When Christ Was Born of Mary Free,' two timeless Christmas gems. Another Christmas themed poem by Christina Rossetti is 'Before the Paling of the Stars.' This piece starts out with a tenor solo and later has 4-part harmony in the women's voices and 3-part harmony in the men's. The classic tune 'A Babe is Born in Bethlehem' is brought to us with elegant 4-part harmony with occasional divisi in some parts. The 6-part arrangement of 'Sweet Was The Song' would be a great addition to your Christmas program with its beautifully catchy melody. The triumphant harmonies of 'What Sweeter Music Can We Bring' will also wow your audience, perfect for a Christmas Eve celebration.

Songlist: There Is No Rose of Such Virtue, Songs Of The Nativity, Before The Paling of the Stars, A Babe is Born in Bethlehem, Sweet Was The Song, What Sweeter Music Can We Bring?

Robert H. Young : Poems Set to Music

Review: Robert Young's choral writings are famous for their warm, rich voicings, suspensions and resolutions. Using the poem of one of his favorite authors, Christina Rossetti, he has created another small masterpiece. The setting of "Lovesight" illuminates the rich beauty of the Dante Rossetti text. The expression is full and deep in both word and music. Using a cappella voices and violin obbligato, the new American sea-chantey "Annabel Lee" mourns the loss of the storyteller's love, Annabel Lee. An excellent concert piece for high school. The title "Chanticleer" alone makes us think of musical excellence, and Robert Young's setting of the William Austin (1587-1633) poem more than meets the demand. Celebrating the incarnation of Christ, this piece contains the classic sounds for which Robert Young has become famous. Excellent for church or concert.

Songlist: Somewhere, Lovesight, Annabel Lee, Chanticleer

Robert H. Young : Secular Choral Selections

Review: Six secular choral selections based on texts by well known poets and authors. These charts are best sung by large choirs.

Songlist: Sonnet of Love, Blow, Bugle, Blow, She Sat and Sang Alway, Sudden Light, At Her Fair Hands, The Sands of Dee

Robert Shaw / Alice Parker : Easter Carol Collection

Review: Taken from the first arrangements on which Robert Shaw and Alice Parker collaborated, these titles were selected from hundreds of familiar and forgotten works for their musical and poetic excellence. The arrangements were made as simple as possible in order to let the words shine through the choral tone and texture while achieving variety from changes in voicing in a constant effort to reflect the most subtle articulations of the text. The earliest song in this collection is the ancient chant "Christ the Lord Hath Risen." Other familiar hymns come from the sacred tradition: "The Strife is O'er," and "O Sons and Daughters." The re-telling of the Easter story, and the joy of the Easter season, should shine forth through the singing of these songs. Listen, re-enact and give voice to the central mystery, in order that all who hear may join the celebration.

Songlist: This Joyful Eastertide, Christ The Lord Hath Risen, Hilariter, Lord Christ, When First Thou Cam'st To Men, Love Is Come Again, O Sons And Daughters, On Easter's Morn, The Strife Is O're, Easter Eggs

Robert Shaw / Alice Parker : Hymns and Carols

Review: This invaluable collection contains 21 hymns, folk hymns, carols, and spirituals -- all set by the renowned talents of Alice Parker and Robert Shaw. The collection serves as a brief history of sacred song, beginning with early hymns of the church and culminating with spirituals from the New World.

Songlist: A Mighty Fortress, All Hail The Power, All People That On Earth Do Dwell, Angels We Have Heard on High, Bright Canaan, Broad is the Road, Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken, His Voice as the Sound, How Far is it to Bethlehem?, I'm Goin' to Sing, I Will Arise, Now Thank We All Our God, Now the Day is Over, O Come O Come Emmanuel, Pensive Dove, Prayer of Thanksgiving, Psalm 4, Ride On, King Jesus, Rise Up, O Men of God, When Jesus Wept, Worthy the Lamb

Robert Shaw / Alice Parker : The Shaw-Parker Book of Christmas Carols

Review: Twenty-four carols arranged by the eminent choral director Robert Shaw and the respected Alice Parker. Shaw-Parker arrangements are famous and recorded by everyone, including Shaw's various ensembles. Described as a mixed voice collection, these twenty-four carols have varying voicings, with frequent solo opportunities. There are also a few tenor/bass charts. Most have piano for rehearsal.

Songlist: Allon, Gay Bergeres, Les Angeles Dans Nos Campagnes (Angels We Have Heard On High) 3. The Boar's Head Carol (TTBB), Break Forth, O Beauteous Heavenly Light, The Carol Of The Birds, The Cherry Tree Carol, Christ Was Born On Christmas Day, Fum, Fum, Fum, Good Christian Men Rejoice, Good King Wenceslas, Here Mid The Ass and The Oxen, The Holly And The Ivy, How Unto Bethlehem, I Saw Three Ships, Il Est Ne, Le Divin Enfant, In The Bleak Midwinter, Lay Down Your Staffs, Masters In This Hall, O Sanctissima, So Blest A Sight, Susanni, Touro-louro-loura, What Child Is This?, Ya Viene La Vieja

Robert Shaw / Robert Russel Bennett : The Many Moods of Christmas - Suite Four

Review: This book includes all arrangements from the fourth suite, with piano accompaniment, featured on CD with the same title, performed by the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, conducted by Robert Shaw.

Songlist: Breakforth, O Beautious Heavenly Light, O Little Of Bethlehem, I Saw Three Ships, Deck The Halls With Boughs Of Holly, The First Nowell

Robert Shaw / Robert Russel Bennett : The Many Moods of Christmas - Suite One

Review: This book includes all arrangements from the first suite, with piano accompaniment, featured on CD with the same title, performed by the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, conducted by Robert Shaw.

Songlist: Good Christian Men Rejoice, Silent Night, Patapan, O Come, All Ye Faithful

Robert Shaw / Robert Russel Bennett : The Many Moods of Christmas - Suite Three

Review: This book includes all arrangements from the third suite, with piano accompaniment, featured on CD with the same title, performed by the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, conducted by Robert Shaw.

Songlist: What Child Is This?, Hark! The Herald Angels Sing, Bring A Torch, Jeanette, Isabella, Angels We Have Heard On High

Robert Shaw / Robert Russel Bennett : The Many Moods of Christmas - Suite Two

Review: This book includes all arrangements from the second suite, with piano accompaniment, featured on CD with the same title, performed by the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, conducted by Robert Shaw.

Songlist: O Sanctissima, Joy To The World, Away In A Manger, Fum Fum Fum, March Of The Kings

Roger Emerson : Spirituals for Two Parts

Review: Five of Roger Emerson's contemporary spiritual settings are crafted for 2-Part voices in a value-packed collection that is perfect for younger choirs in elementary through middle school!

Songlist: All My Trials, Didn't My Lord Deliver Daniel, Let Me Ride (Swing Down Chariot), Sinner Man, Witness

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