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/

Review: The short expressive piece "Ah, mine heart" sets a fifteenth-century penitential poem of great fervour. Jackson alternates a refrain in a simple plainsong style with more passionate, homophonic verses, to powerful effect. A setting of the Trinity Sunday text with achingly pure and fluid melodic lines feature throughout, imbuing the piece with characteristic clarity and luminosity. The change to A major for 'Trinitati in Unitate' is radiant, as is the final section, in which the choir divides into eight parts to proclaim the glory of the Trinity. Uplifting and powerful, this is rewarding music for committed choirs. Composed for the Feast of Corpus Christi, "O Sacrum Convivium" has a poise and beauty rare in choral music. Jackson uses the full sonic opportunities offered by the divided scoring, moving effortlessly from controlled meditation to ecstatic fervour, all delivered with absolute belief and clarity. The anthem "Now I Have Known, O Lord" is set to a text by the 10th-century Sufi mystic, Al-Junaid. For the most part, the mood is intimate and introspective; intertwining, whispered melodies, sometimes in free time, alternate with quiet homophony. There is a moment of soaring, unrestrained ecstasy towards the end of the piece before it draws to a hushed conclusion. Suitable for a variety of occasions, this is beautiful, challenging music for serious choirs.

Songlist: Ah, mine heart, Hymn to the Trinity (Honor, Virtus, et Potestas), Lux Mortuorum, Now I Have Known, O Lord, O Sacrum Convivium, Tomorrow Go Ye Forth

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

Review: Gerald Finzi is one of the most admired British composers of the 20th Century. His music embraces a rich variety of moods, from elegiac lyricism, through spiritual reflection, to radiant joy. Finzi epitomised much that was characteristic of English Music, Literature and Landscape. He was part of that generation of composers who came to maturity in the middle of the 20th century. He was friends with Ralph Vaughan Williams, Edmund Rubbra, Howard Ferguson, Arthur Bliss and Robin Milford. The beautiful and sensitive nature of Gerald Finzi's compositions is displayed in these six excellent 4-part arrangements.

Songlist: All This Night, I Praise the Tender Flower, Clear and Gentle Stream, Wherefore Tonight So Full of Care, White-Flowering Days

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

Review: One of most popular of 20th century British composers, in concert and on disc , Gerald Finzi's works are lyrical, subtly understated, often elegiac in tone, mingling human pain and natural beauty. These beautiful pieces are suitable for funerals and memorials.

Songlist: Life a Right Shadow Is, This World A Hunting Is, This Life, Which Seems So Fair

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

Review: Made popular on Toy Story 3 = Awesome this humorous piece simultaneously ridicules and celebrates user-generated content. The lyrical main theme rolls around in vibrant familiarity, always rocking between the major keys of C# and E. This tension between genuine and mock exuberance is the central irony of the piece.

Songlist:

Voicing: a-cappella/arrangements/humorous/

Review: The whole Doo-Wop Madrigal project started with Garrison Keillor who called to invite the Gregg Smith Singers to appear on his American Radio Company program. He was, he said, particularly interested in some "Doo-Wop" Billings -- William Billings, that is, the great American composer from the Revolutionary War era. By the next conversation, the concept had metamorphosed into "Doo-Wop Madrigals", that is, taking standard Madrigal literature and giving it new life by creating jazz interpreations which still retain all the essential musical elements which made them such great musical masterpieces in the first place. Madrigals are fun to sing, but the Jazz approach adds entirely new dimensions to some very familiar ground. While word painting is a vital element in Renaissance choral music, the substitution of scat sounds for words and the addition of vocalized percussion highlights the sometimes subtle rhythmic and contrapuntal aspects of the works, bringing a different kind of clarity to the music itself. Finally, the blues treatments added a new poignancy to the more solemn works.

Songlist: Cool April (April is in my Mistress' face), Billings in Blue (When Jesus Wept), He's Awesome (Il est bel et bon), The Revecy Band (Revecy venir du printans), Oh! That Love and Beauty (When Love and Beauty), Multiple Echoes (Echo Song), My heart is longing for your love (mon coeur se recommande a vous), Hey, Babe! (Matona, mia cara)

Voicing: a-cappella/arrangements/madrigals/

Review: "A bright girl, a jungle girl, shining quick as a snake" is the gutsy narrator of 'This Morning.' The voices have strong, syncopated rhythmic figures on "nn" and "la" sounds, and slide upward on "girl" for well-crafted-and enjoyable-instrumental effects. In 'To My Girls,' the poet tells her four graceful, nearly grown daughters. Reflective homophonic sections tell the mother's hopes. They alternate with ostinato patterns of simmering energy, reflecting the dancing excitement of four girls ready to burst forth, out into the world. The most percussive of the set, 'Sisters' features schoolyard-style partnered handclap patterns for singers in pairs. That's in addition to finger snaps, and cymbal, brush, and sticks-on-the-rim vocal percussion effects, all painting a lively picture of the "very same place" that "you and me," sisters, come from.

Songlist: This Morning, To My Girls, Sisters

Voicing: sheet-music/female-voices/

Review: Our Dream of Freedom is a set of four songs presenting four different statements about the dream of freedom.

Songlist: Our Dream of Freedom: 1. Freedom Will Not Come Today & 2. Hold Fast to Dreams, Our Dream of Freedom: 3. The Dream Keeper, Our Dream of Freedom: 4. Dream of Freedom

Review: Two creative and ear-catching sets of arrangements by noted choral arranger and composer Hubert Bird. Each arrangement is skillfully designed to be sung individually or in harmonic sequence: the final chord of each song becomes the beginning of the next.

Songlist: On Christmas Night (The Sussex Carol), Carol of Beauty, My Dancing Day, The Lord at First Did Adam Make, Lullay My Liking, O Come, All Ye Faithful, O Come, O Come, O Come, O Come Emamanuel, The First Nowell

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

Review: Subtitled "Four Vivariations", Irving Fine's McCord's Menagerie, are settings of humorous poems by David McCord. With the bumbling "loo's" accompanying the tenor melody, Fine's setting of Vultur Gryphus implies a harmless creature. Instead of the movie western's ominous bird associated with death, Fine's animal seems too lazy and stupid to get his own food! Jerboa, classified as the genus jaculus jaculus, is as active and scary in Fine's world as Vultur Gryphus is laid back and friendly. Fine agrees with those to whom a darting (the translation of the Latin jaculus) small rodent is sinister and creepy, attributes he conveys through abrupt entrances and minor tonality. In Mole McCord compares the over-soul of man, a Unitarian concept put forth by Ralph Waldo Emerson, with the limited capacities of the mole. In Clam, Fine and McCord give in to their silliest selves. McCord observes how man the diner and clam the dinner (in chowder no less) both evolved from the same ancestor; man is saved from the clam's fate, according to McCord, by his own initiative and work ethic. Fine has a lot of fun with the sounds suggesting insouciance, which explains why the clam never got ahead! Lots of fun here.

Songlist: Jerboa, Vultur Gryphus, Clam, Mole

Voicing: a-cappella/arrangements/humorous/

Review: This popular and playful first selection from Three Choral Settings from Alice in Wonderland is now back in print! With piano. Recorded by Gregg Smith Singers with Raymond Beegle, piano - Courtesy Composers Recordings, Inc.This lively selection from Fine's classic Alice in Wonderland is full of dancing rhythms and spirited energy. Available for SATB, SSA and TTBB. Performance Time: Approx. 2:15. Recorded by Gregg Smith Singers with Raymond Beegle, piano. Courtesy of Composers Recordings, Inc.This lively selection from Fine's classic Alice in Wonderland is full of dancing rhythms and spirited energy. Available for SATB, SSA and TTBB. Performance Time: Approx. 2:15. Recorded by Gregg Smith Singers with Raymond Beegle, piano. Courtesy of Composers Recordings, Inc.

Songlist: Lobster Quadrille, Father William, Lullaby of the Duchess

Review: Beautiful settings of music from the perspective of the inhabitants of Noah's Ark from the book by Carmen Bernos de Gasztold. This six movement sacred work is perfect for a young, advanced choir.

Songlist: Noah's Prayer, The Prayer of the Little Bird, The Prayer of the Cat, The Prayer of the Mouse, The Prayer of the Raven, The Prayer of the Dove

Voicing: sheet-music/animals/

Review: The beautiful choral writing of Javier Busto speaks to the heart. His "Ave Maria" is one of the great works, which permits a choir to perform to the fullest, emotionally as well as technically. A fine choice for a festival program. Composed for the Tapiola Choir, the theme for "For The Peace", describes in its three sections how provocation and violence are turned into understanding and peace.The Lord Is My Shepherd is an equally brilliant setting of the 23rd Psalm. Magnificat is perfect for your Children's Choir Christmas program!

Songlist: The Lord is My Shepherd, Bustapi (For The Peace), Ave Maria, Gratia Plena, Magnificat

Voicing: sheet-music/female-voices/

Review: The popular latin text 'Laudate Dominum,' is brought to life in Javier Busto's brilliant setting. The graceful setting of 'Salve Regina' highlights the beauty of the female voice. For ambitious choirs, it would be an excellent concert or competition choice. The beautiful setting of 'Pupule Meus' will be enjoyed equally by the singers and audience alike!

Songlist: Salve Regina, Laudate Dominum

Voicing: sheet-music/female-voices/

Review: "Have you heard the story of the baby boy, born in Bethlehem?" From that simple question Jay Althouse has crafted another superb, original Christmas spiritual. It features contrasting dynamics (excellent for teaching phrasing), male and female solos, and a tender middle section which contrasts with the hushed excitement of the opening and closing melody. Includes a descant on the final chorus. " Whisper! Whisper!" - Another memorable Christmas spiritual from Jay Althouse. Strong dynamic contrasts (from "Whisper, whisper, tiny baby in a manger lay" to "Shout it out from the hills and valleys; baby born today") make this a winner for your choir. A lush middle section contrasts with the rhythmic excitement of the opening theme. Brief, easy solos for both a male and female singer. "Star of Glory" is an exciting, original, a cappella Christmas spiritual from Jay Althouse in the tradition of his "No Room," "Have You Heard?," and "Whisper! Whisper!" Lots of effective dynamic contrasts make this a thrilling choral work for both singers and audience. Lush, slow middle section contrasts with up-tempo opening and closing sections. A quality choral work for your Christmas concerts. "Look-A That Star" - What a great new Christmas spiritual! It's the perfect a cappella number for your choir: the simple harmonies and rhythmic pulse propel this piece from beginning to end. Features dynamic contrasts, a lush middle section and two short solos. Your SATB and 3-part mixed choirs will sound their very best on Look-A That Star. " Alleluia Seven" - Much repetition and a catchy makes this 7/8 number deceptively easy to learn. Opens with eight measures in 7/8, then a smooth, homophonic andante section in 4/4, followed by a repeat of the opening 7/8 section. Great for competitions and festivals.

Songlist: Have You Heard?, Whisper! Whisper!, Star of Glory, Alleluia Seven

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

Review: A selection of superb well-crafted orginal a cappella Christmas sprituals. "Good News" opens with an energetic melody sung by the low voice with the upper three voices singing in counterpoint above. Rhythmic energy develops the piece and it ends with an electrifyimg eight measure coda that's the pinnacle of excitement. No solos, no tempo changes make for quick learning. In the classic spiritual tradition, yet fresh and contemporary." Whisper! Whisper!" has strong dynamic contrasts (from "Whisper, whisper, tiny baby in a manger lay" to "Shout it out from the hills and valleys; baby born today") make this a winner for your choir. A lush middle section contrasts with the rhythmic excitement of the opening theme. Brief, easy solos for male singer. Who's That Baby?" opens with the basses asking, in a hushed, rhythmic melody, "Who's that baby in a manger bed?" The text is classic spiritual style, but the music is anything but... it's fresh, new, and alive! "Have You Heard?" features contrasting dynamics (excellent for teaching phrasing), male solos, and a tender middle section which contrasts with the hushed excitement of the opening and closing melody. Includes a descant on the final chorus.

Songlist: Good News!, Who's That Baby?, Whisper! Whisper! ( Baby Born Today ), Have You Heard?, Look Up, Children

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

Review: This exciting original Christmas spiritual, "Goin' To Bethlehem," by Jay Althouse opens with the men stating the rhythmic theme, followed by the middle voices and finally the sopranos. The three verses include much repetition but plenty of surprises-including a women's section contrasted by the men, and an optional high descant on the driving finish. A fresh new work that's solidly rooted in the classic spiritual traditions. An Althouse winner and a must for your holiday concerts! An exiting new Christmas spiritual from Mary Kay Beall and Jay Althouse. "Two folks comin' to Bethlehem town. No room, no room!," Includes brief solos for one male and one female. Every Christmas concert needs a spiritual and this powerful a cappella number is IT! "Have You Heard The News? Is everything you have come to love and expect from a Jay Althouse Christmas spiritual, and a whole lot more. Lively and quick lyrics, solid rhythmic hooks, and refreshing parallel chords fill every phrase, followed by melodic riffs from the men's section. A contrasting middle section gently holds back before the A section returns including a well-written modulation and rousing descant over the final flourish. A great addition to your choral library. "Star Of Glory" is an exciting, original, a cappella Christmas spiritual from Jay Althouse in the tradition of his "No Room," "Have You Heard?," and "Whisper! Whisper!" Lots of effective dynamic contrasts make this a thrilling choral work for both singers and audience. Lush, slow middle section contrasts with up-tempo opening and closing sections. A quality choral work for your Christmas concerts. Another memorable Christmas spiritual from Jay Althouse. Strong dynamic contrasts (from "Whisper, whisper, tiny baby in a manger lay" to "Shout it out from the hills and valleys; baby born today") make this a winner for your choir. A lush middle section contrasts with the rhythmic excitement of the opening theme. Brief, easy solos for both a male and female singer. A cappella.

Songlist: Goin' To Bethlehem, Have You Heard?, Star of Glory, Whisper! Whisper!

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

Review: A new, original Christmas spiritual by Jay Althouse in the tradition of his top-selling "Whisper!, Whisper!," "I saw a Star," and "Star of Glory." "Come, See The Baby" features much three-part singing over a solid, traditional bass part, as well as an echo section between the women and the men. Sudden dynamic changes are powerful and effective (and simple to sing). "Have You Heard The News" is everything you have come to love and expect from a Jay Althouse Christmas spiritual, and a whole lot more. Lively and quick lyrics, solid rhythmic hooks, and refreshing parallel chords fill every phrase, followed by melodic riffs from the men's section. A contrasting middle section gently holds back before the A section returns including a well-written modulation and rousing descant over the final flourish. A great addition to your choral library. If you're having trouble finding a good, singable spiritual, look no further! Patsy Simms' arrangement of the traditional "Good News" is your choice. Features a rollicking piano accompaniment, some handclapping and a swinging descant on the final chorus. "Festival Deck The Hall" is a fresh and contemporary a cappella approach to a traditional carol. Jay Althouse has added wonderful new rhythms and harmonies, and has added a completely unique "fa la la" section reminiscent of a Swingle Singers arrangement. The first part of each phrase is true to the original carol; it's the "fa la la's" which take off in a whirlwind of choral excitement. Original, exceptional...and your singers will love it! Also included in thiis package is "Look-A That Star," "Who's That Baby," and "The Twenty-Fifth Day Of December."

Songlist: Look-A That Star, Who's That Baby?, Have You Heard the News?, The Twenty-Fifth Day of December, Good News!, Festival Deck the Hall

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

Review: Jay Rouse has been recognized as one of the finest arrangers of church choral music to emerge in the last few years. His musical insights, spiritual sensitivity, and skillful creativity come to life in this outstanding choral publication for Christmas. Jay Rouse broadens the scope of his choral arranging through these exquisite, challenging and rewarding arrangements of the Christmas seasons' most timeless classics

Songlist: An A Cappella Christmas Vol 2, An A Cappella Christmas Vol 3, Good Christians, Now Rejoice, Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence, Be Born In Me, Come, Messiah King, Silent Night, Holy Night, We Wish You a Merry Christmas, An A Cappella Christmas Vol 1, Go, Tell It On The Mountain, It Came Upon The Midnight Clear, In the Bleak Midwinter

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

Review: Jay Rouse has been recognized as one of the finest arrangers of church choral music to emerge in the last few years. His musical insights, spiritual sensitivity, and skillful creativity come to life in this outstanding choral publication for Christmas. Jay Rouse broadens the scope of his choral arranging through these exquisite, challenging and rewarding arrangements of the Christmas seasons' most timeless classics.

Songlist: A Cappella Christmas Carols Vol 4, A Cappella Christmas Carols Vol 5, A Cappella Christmas Carols Vol 6, O Little Town of Bethlehem, O Holy Night, See Amid The Winter's Snow, Silent Night, Holy Night, Lo, How A Rose E'er Blooming, A Merry Carol of the Bells, While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks

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

Review: Berger's choral works constitute the bulk of his compositions, where he avoids an academic style, preferring a pragmatic blend of Franco-German folk music, South American melody and rhythm, and polyphonic modality. Here is a collection of three of his psalms for unaccompanied mixed choir in four parts.

Songlist: I Lift Up My Eyes, Shout to the Lord, My Days Are Like An Evening Shadow, Psalm 100, Psalm 121

Voicing: sheet-music-world/German/

Review: Arranged by Jim Papoulis and Francisco J. Nunez for the Young People's Chorus of New York City, these fresh and original sounds will surely appeal to anyone who loves the sights, sounds and colors of the holiday time of year. There is stirring a cappella treatment of the Christmas favorite "Silent Night" . The a cappella treatment of "Deck the Halls" is playful and full of energy with :" How Many Christmasses" a musical wish for peace on earth that will have contemporary relevance and will resonate with today's youth. Serving as an appeal to strike down the differences that create division among us, the song offers an inspirational message for any holiday concert. "Angel Medley" is an arrangement of three well-known carols "Hark, the Herald Angels Sing," "Angels We Have Heard on High," and "The First Noel" uses contemporary musical styles, altered harmonies and word play to expand the palette of the carol experience.

Songlist: Silent Night, Deck the Halls, How Many Christmasses, Angel Medley, Oh Christmas Tree

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

Review: From noted English choral arranger Jonathan Wilcocks a collection of sea songs. A more serious central shanty, Demons, is framed by two light-hearted settings, Enticement and Drunken Sailor. The ending is extrovert and rumbustious and almost guaranteed to bring the house down.

Songlist: Enticement, Demons, Drunken Sailor

Voicing: sheet-music/sea-shanties/

Review: This lively setting of 'Ain'-a That Good News' is perfect for all choirs looking to energize any church service or concert. A chromatic modulation jump starts each new verse, as the energy and excitement is ratcheted up a notch. The canon in the penultimate verse adds variety to the otherwise homophonic texture, and the music finishes brightly with volume and excitement. Warren rejuvenates 'Go Tell it on the Mountain' by skilfully varying the metre between 7/8 and 6/8 in the refrain and presenting each verse differently. This clever arrangement is perfectly suited for concerts and church services alike. In the haunting and plaintive setting of 'Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child,' Warren creatively evokes a stark tone of loneliness and despair with descending chromatic inner voices in the opening. What follows is a rich, reflective harmonic texture filled with chromatic surprises.

Songlist: Ain't That Good News, Go, Tell it on the Mountain, Sometimes I feel like a motherless child

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

Review: As with most of the other Solfege Suite selections, these pieces can be sung entirely in unison by following the melody voice throughout. The harmony voice, while really cool, is entirely optional. Directors may choose to use them with a section of voices or an ensemble of voices, or not use them at all.

Songlist: Boogie Woogie, Tango, Waltz

Review: The first Solfege Suite consists of three pieces of contrasting styles: March, Bolero, and Gallop. The names give away the character, but the truly fabulous part is that the text is all solfege. Singers learn about musical names, intervals and solfege, while singing programmable music written for the 2006 ACDA Young Voices Boys Choir, directors have been begging for the music's release since its premiere.

Songlist: March, Bolero, Mazurka

Review: The first "Solfege Suite" consists of three pieces of contrasting styles: "March," "Bolero," and "Gallop." The names give away the character, but the truly fabulous part is that the text is all solfege. Singers learn about musical names, intervals and solfege, while singing programmable music written for the ACDA Young Voices Boys Choir, directors have been begging for the music's release since its premiere.

Songlist: Galop, Chaconne, Gavotte

Review: A wordless, a cappella celebration of the human voice and the joy that comes from singing together. This joyful celebration of the human voice is wordless except for "Imba wimbo wakona" which is Swahili for "sing songs forever." A great showcase for jazz and pop groups! Exciting!

Songlist: Joy Sounds II, Joy Sounds

Voicing: a-cappella/arrangements/wordless/

Review: The treatment of the classic spiritual 'Wade In The Water" by Kirby Shaw includes the elements that always seem to "work": a soulful solo, supportive choral parts that have their own interest, and new verses that are seamless in the story. Designed to showcase that special soloist in your choir, "Down By The Riverside" gets an upbeat a cappella treatment that allows for an optional audience sing-/snap-along. John Newton's famous and beloved hymn "Amazing Grace" is perhaps one of the most well-known song in the world. This traditional setting will surely have a profound effect on your singers and audiences. Hold on to your choir robes! The invigorating a cappella adaptation of "Sinner Man", one of the great traditional spirituals, will bring your audience to their feet!

Songlist: Amazing Grace, Wade In The Water, Sinner Man, Down By The Riverside, Plenty Good Room (On the Glory Train)

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

Review: Kirke Mechem is a prolific American composer with a catalogue of over 250 works. He enjoys an international presence, as ASCAP recently registered concert performances of his music in 42 countries. This is a collection of his works for unaccompanied chorus. From Psalm 137, "By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept, when we remembered Zion," this a cappella motet is filled with longing and deep emotion. "Agnus De" is a stunningly beautiful new setting of the Latin text, this work is vocally expressive and immensely rewarding in performance. The old American folksong "Too Young To Marry" provides the text for this setting. The composer has adapted into an original madrigal, using fa-la-la refrains to replace the traditional nonsense syllables. "They That Mourn" forms a requiem in miniature, with varied vocal textures and harmonies and dynamic contrasts. This setting is new music to the words of an old spiritual "Kum Ba Ya". Believed to come from the Gullah language of the South Carolina sea islands, this setting explores the rhythmic possibilities of the words and the striking musical qualities of the consonants and vowels.

Songlist: By The Rivers of Babylon, Agnus Dei, Papageno and the Prince, Too Young to Marry, They That Mourn, Kum Ba Ya

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

Review: Nights in Armor is a four-movement suite for a cappella chorus evoking the legend of King Arthur as related by Alfred, Lord Tennyson. The first movement "Merlin's Riddle" is a quirky, dance-like incantation, in which the famous sorcerer prophesies Arthur's coming. The second movement "The Knight and His Queen" is an imagined poem from the knight Lancelot to Queen Guinevere expressively calls forth feelings of unfulfillable love. "Tristram's Madrigal" - Sprightly, teasing music celebrates the joys of living in the moment, boldly blind to its consequences. "Arthur's Final Words" are the words of the mortally wounded King Arthur reflecting on life and the quest for ideals; the music artfully gives life to this wisdom.

Songlist: Arthur's Final Words, The Knight and His Queen, Tristram's Madrigal, Merlin's Riddle

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

Review: There are three songs making up this cycle entitled 'Western Songs' - Buffalo Gals, Green Grow the Lilacs, and Ol'Chisholm Trail. The arrangements by turn spin contrapuntal and antiphonal textures then relax intomeltingly beautiful chords, while glissandi and yipping vocal slides evoke the sounds of the barn dance the cattle drive. Lots of fun!

Songlist: Buffalo Gals, Green Grow the Lilacs, The Ol' Chilsholm Trail

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

Review: The new voicings of this best-selling arrangement of the Spanish Carol, 'Riu, Riu, Chiu,' include text options for English or Spanish. Tambourine and hand claps lend a festive, colorful flair. Whether performed with or without piano accompaniment, the limited ranges, repetitious form, and opportunities for solos yield built-in success for holiday programs. The vibrant, festive original, 'Merrily Sing Noel!' is a marvelous opener or change-of-pace selection. Its fanfare-like style and bright mood also offer nice, effective dynamic contrasts. Superb treble writing! 'Christmas Madrigal Roundezvous' is a sparkling, festive, and extremely clever original madrigal, sung in a round, with a contrasting, lilting middle section. The uplifting lyrics of 'A Festive Madrigal' begin that bright, jovial original madrigal, which 'sings in' the holiday season. A marvelous, accessible choice which also works well for smaller ensembles.

Songlist: Christmas Madrigal Roundezvous, A Festive Madrigal, Merrily Sing Noel!, Riu, Riu, Chiu

Voicing: a-cappella/arrangements/christmas/2parts/

Review: The vibrant, festive original, 'Merrily Sing Noel!' is a marvelous opener or change-of-pace selection. Its fanfare-like style and bright mood also offer nice, effective dynamic contrasts. Superb treble writing! The madrigal-like setting of the traditional Christmas greeting, 'Sing hey!' features a festive dance-like flavor. Most accessible, engaging, and fun, it alsomakes an excellent choice for madrigal dinners. 'The Sound of Pipe and Drum' is a delightfully fresh new setting of the lively, dance-like Pierre Certon madrigal, complete with a new English text and appropriate for general concert/contest use or for Christmas. The original French lyrics are included as an option. The new voicings of this best-selling arrangement of the Spanish Carol, 'Riu, Riu, Chiu,' include text options for English or Spanish. Tambourine and hand claps lend a festive, colorful flair. Whether performed with or without piano accompaniment, the limited ranges, repetitious form, and opportunities for solos yield built-in success for holiday programs.

Songlist: Merrily Sing Noel!, Riu, Riu, Chiu, Sing Hey, The Sound of Pipe and Drum

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