In traditional "Parker" style, Alice has arranged a bright a cappella setting of the American folk-tune "Happy In The Lord" with stunning effect."I Want Two Wings" is a light, brisk spiritual arranged for a cappella voices. With independent lines playing with each other throughout, giving some gospel-type solos for the soprano section, the piece makes an excellent concert/festival selection for an advanced choir! This distinctive spiritual arrangement of "When Jesus Comes" adds to the considerable body of choral work Alice Parker has created during her remarkable career. Imaginative, compelling, always melodic, it is among her finest in this genre. This distinctive spiritual arrangement of "You Can Tell The World" adds to the considerable body of choral work Alice Parker has created during her remarkable career. Imaginative, compelling, always melodic, it is among her finest in this genre. Also included in this package is "I Want Two Wings."

Songlist: Happy In The Lord, I Want Two Wings, Tell 'Em I'm Gone, When Jesus Comes

This is a collection of hymn tunes and texts with notes on their origin, idiom, and performance; and suggestions for their use in the service. It is Alice Parker at her best, providing some musical ideas for the improvisation of hymn-anthems by choirs and congregations. Included are chapters on chants and processionals, Psalter hymns, chorales, classic hymns, folk hymns, and spirituals.

Songlist: Of the Father's Love Begotten, Here, O my Lord, I See Thee, Sing We Triumphant Hymns of Praise, O Splendor of God's Glory Bright, All People That on Earth do Dwell, I to the Hills Will Lift Mine Eyes, Lord Jesus Christ, Be Present Now, Comfort, Comfort Ye My People, Blessed Jesus, at Thy Word, Give to the Winds Thy Fears, A Mighty Fortress is Our God, Let All Together Praise Our God, Come, Thou Almighty King, I Waited Patient for the Lord, Praise the Lord who Reigns Above, O Thou in Whose Presence, How Firm a Foundation, Jerusalem, My Happy Home, Star in the East, Sometimes I Feel Like A Motherless Vhild, Were You There?, Standing in the Need of Prayer, Who'll be a Witness for My Lord

An exciting collection of five classic spiritual settings which can be performed separately or together as a suite.

Songlist: I'm Goin' to Sing, Steal Away, I Got Shoes, Deep River, John Saw duh Numbuh

Love songs sung by men's voices have a unique poignancy and charm. Robert Shaw's understanding of this style, and the kind of tone which these settings evoke, have made them much loved by singers and listeners. These selections may be performed separately or as a program suite.

Songlist: Loch Lomond, Green Grow The Rushes, O, Stodole Pumpa, Down By The Sally Gardens, Vive L'Amour

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

The 17 varied early American songs of praise found in songbooks published between 1790 and 1830 in "Sweet Manna" give us a glimpse of the musical life of the early settlers and the changing modes of Christian worship as the country developed. The rich variety of lyrics and tunes include cheerful gathering songs like "My God, the Spring of All My Joy;" slow, reflective moods as in "Deep Distress and Troubled Thoughts;" sprightly dances: "When Some Kind Shepherd from His Fold;" and joyous marches: "My Soul, Triumphant in the Lord." Fuguing tunes like "How Pleased and Blessed Was I" and "Through Every Age, Eternal God" release their energies; while more modal melodies like "Return, O God of Love, Return" shed a quiet grace. The mixed a cappella voices of MMA are strong and soaring, and these powerful songs are sung with spirit and feeling, and it is easy to imagine being in the congregations where they were first sung, joining in wonderful choruses of praise.

Songlist: Almighty Maker, God, My Thoughts, That Often Mount the Skies, When Some Kind Shepherd from His Fold, Ye Boundless Realms of Joy, How Pleased and Blessed Was I, From Deep Distress and Troubled Thoughts, What Is Our God, or What His Name, My Soul, Triumphant in the Lord, To God, in Whom I Trust, Hear Me, O Lord, nor Hide Thy Face, My Soul, the Great Creator Praise, How Short and Hasty Is Our Life, How Soft the Words My Savior Speaks, Through Every Age, Eternal God, Return, O God of Love, Return, My God! The Spring of All My Joys, Brethren, We Have Met to Worship

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

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

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,