Mark Sirett : May You Heal

This is the centerpiece of the May You Heal Project, a series of five short choral works that were written and recorded during the pandemic. The project offers music of comfort, peace, renewal and self-awareness. In this piece, Mark captures the essence of the text in a poignant, contemplative choral setting.

Composer: Mark Sirett

Mark Sirett : Seek Justice

Throughout history, prophets, visionaries, poets, and peacemakers have cried out for justice in our world. Justice must be actively pursued, and this music flows and moves as a metaphor of pursuit.

Composer: Mark Sirett

Mark Sirett : The Fields of Athenry

This folk ballad tells the story of a young man during the mid-1800's Irish Famine. Both heartache and the resilience of the human spirit are captured in this emotive arrangement.

Arranger: Mark Sirett | Composer: Pete St. John

Inspired by processional music of the medieval period, this work includes hand drum, tambourine and triangle which embellish the ornamented melodic lines. The text, loosely based on words by Hildegard of Bingen, enhance the graceful and buoyant music.

Composer: Mark Sirett

Composer Mark Sirett offers a heartfelt setting of the traditional Gaelic blessing "Deep Peace". Whether performed a capella or with the optional keyboard accompaniment it is sure to become one of the "most requested" pieces in your choir's repertoire. It is suitable from general worship, services focusing on peace, funerals and weddings and for benedictions or dismissals. Don't miss this wonderful musical gift.

Composer: Mark Sirett

Esteemed Canadian composer and conductor Mark Sirett's moving setting of William Bright's rich 19th century communion text is a special treat. While challenging, it offers the opportunity for choirs to share the power of fine choral music when presented as a tool to enhance liturgy and worship. Its memorable melody and meaningful text will complement communion year after year. Related Scripture: Song of Solomon 1:4; Matthew 26: 26-30; 1st Corinthians 10:16-17

Composer: Mark Sirett

Traditionally associated with New Year's Eve festivites, this Scottish air is also appropriate as a farewell at events such as graduation. First written down by Robbie Burns, this setting includes much of the original Gaelic, and is a song that embodies the unbreakable bond of friendship

Arranger: Mark Sirett | Poetry By: Robert Burns | Country: Scotland

Using a Sara Teasdale poem that lifts up loveliness and beauty, Mark Sirett has crafted music that does exactly that. Written for the association for Music in International Schools Honors Choir Festival in Luxembourg, this is the perfect festival piece. And when the string quartet is employed, it becomes that special piece in the program.

Composer: Mark Sirett | Poetry By: Sara Teasdale

This marvelous poetry is by award-winning Canadian poet, Wendy Jean MacLean, who also provided the fascinating text for Sirett's The Stars Point the Way which was awarded Outstanding Composition from Choral Canada in 2010. Based on traditional and contemporary thought on the nativity, linking together both sacred and secular images of the Christmas celebrations. The eternal themes of Christmas are proclaimed: peace, justice, wonder, hope, love...and home.

Composer: Mark Sirett

The text for this work is comprised of several traditional May Day carols and sonnets from a variety of sources ranging from the medieval era to the 17th century. Musically, the work embraces many different styles, but is largely a tribute to the folk traditions of Ireland, Scotland, and Brittany. It is scored for SATB chorus, Children's or Women's Choir, and Piano. Duration: ca. 15 mins.

Composer: Mark Sirett | Country: British Isles

A beautiful lullaby that originated in Acadia, the Atlantic region of Canada settled by French colonists. Written for a cappella mixed chorus with French text, an IPA pronunciation guide is included. Duration: ca. 4:30.

Composer: Mark Sirett

This traditional Irish tune, sometimes known as The Sick Young Lover, dates back to the mid 1800s. You will captivate audiences with this beautiful setting for male voices and piano

Arranger: Mark Sirett | Country: Ireland

This setting of a sixteenth century French poem celebrates May Day, the mid-point between the vernal equinox and the summer solstice, which in many traditions marked the beginning of the pastoral summer season.

Composer: Mark Sirett | Country: France

A traditional Québecois carol, this arrangement will immediately captivate your choir and audience. Its lullaby-like qualities are both soothing and entrancing.

Arranger: Mark Sirett | Country: French Canadian

A lively lumberjack song from Québec, it tells the story of a young man's miserable winter in the chantiers (shanties). When he doesn't get paid, he vows never again to return to the camps. In French, with a pronunciation guide and English translation.

Arranger: Mark Sirett

This traditional nineteenth-century Irish-Canadian lumberjack song is a lively jig and perfect for the young men of your choir. It is energetic and rhythmic with moderate ranges at both the upper and lower extremes. Great for recruiting! Duration: ca. 2 minutes 30 seconds.

Composer: Mark Sirett | Country: Ireland

The lush harmonies and slightly off-the-beat feel of this melody create the sensation of being rocked gently to sleep. For a cappella 4-part mixed chorus, this piece will be a gem on any holiday concert program.

Composer: Mark Sirett

This a cappella Advent motet, with a text taken from the Gospel of Luke known as the Annunciation, uses long, legato, intense lines to describe the birth of the baby Jesus. With divisi in all voice parts and full vocal ranges required from everyone, this lush setting is suitable for the very best college and professional choirs. Duration 4:00.

Composer: Mark Sirett

This is a contemporary setting of the traditional Vespers antiphon for Christmas Eve, Hodie Christus natus est. The African and jazz influences found in this score were inspired by the composer's experiences in Ghana. Written for SSA choir, piano and Djembe(the Djembe is improvised and no part is included), this setting captures the multicultural spirit of the song.

Composer: Mark Sirett

Inngituq (She Sings) is a soundscape that honors the culture of the Inuit people of the Arctic. Musical references to traditional throat-singing and ay-ya songs are found in the music. The body percussion - stomping, clapping, chest pounding - and drum will add to the authentic experience this piece brings to singers and audience.

Arranger: Mark Sirett | Country: Native American

A well-loved Québecois folksong, J'entends le moulin is a game of rhymes and double entendres. This folksong is full of energy and joy, and should be sung with vigor. The addition of spoons or tambourine would add to the energy of this rustic dance. Includes fiddle part. Duration: ca. 1:30.

Arranger: Mark Sirett

A well-loved Québecois folksong, J'entends le moulin is a game of rhymes and double entendres. This folksong is full of energy and joy, and should be sung with vigor. The addition of spoons or tambourine would add to the energy of this rustic dance. Includes fiddle part. Duration: ca. 1:30.

Arranger: Mark Sirett

With a joyful and serene text by Bengali poet, writer, composer, philosopher and painter Rabrindranath Tagore, here is a skillfully crafted song for mixed choir and piano with an optional string quintet.

Composer: Mark Sirett

A soundscape that evokes the northern landscape of the Great Lakes and includes untraditional vocal sounds, improvisation, and the sounds of nature. With glockenspiel, wind chimes, and rainstick. Parts included. Duration: ca. 4:45.

Composer: Mark Sirett | Country: United States

Dr. Mark Sirett set words from e.e. cummings for soprano and alto chorus. Instrumentation: piano, harp, cello and optional flute. Difficulty Level: Advanced Children or Medium Adult.

Composer: Mark Sirett | Poetry By: e.e. cummings

This tune comes from the Veneto, the area surrounding the city of canals, Venice, and should be spirited and full of joy, like the twirling of a ballerina to a lively dance. Notice the old and interesting spellings of the Italian. Duration: ca. 2:20.

Arranger: Mark Sirett | Country: Italy

This Canadian setting of a popular British broadside derives from mid-19th Century Nova Scotia. It is one of many folksongs in which parting lovers vow their undying love for each other. Duration: ca. 3:00.

Arranger: Mark Sirett | Country: Canada

This is the centerpiece of the May You Heal Project, a series of five short choral works that have been written and recorded during the pandemic. The project offers music of comfort, peace, renewal and self-awareness. In this piece, Mark captures the essence of the text in a poignant, contemplative choral setting.

Composer: Mark Sirett

Composer Mark Sirett set the beautiful and evocative poem My Heart Soars of Chief Dan George for a tribute concert to aboriginal cultures of the world. The concert was recognized by the Association of Canadian Choral Communities as Canada's Outstanding Choral Event of 2009-10. Written for three part women's voices and piano, the work captures the spiritual nature of the text beautifully within the tessitura of the female voice. Duration: ca. 4 minutes.

Composer: Mark Sirett | Country: Native American

An original composition on a traditional Puerto Rican Christmas nativity text, O Brillante Estrella is in the style of a villancico, a lively Spanish carol. Colorful harmonies, syncopated rhythms, and flamboyant accompaniment help to capture the Spanish and Latin American spirit of this engaging piece.

Composer: Mark Sirett | Country: Puerto Rico

This work, using adapted words by one of Canada's most treasured poets, Archibald Lampman, underscores the urgent need for us all to be respectful and mindful of the fragility of mother earth, which gives us life and sustains us. This is a beautiful work for any concert lifting up earth day, the environment, socially conscience themes or plant and animal life.

Composer: Mark Sirett

Onokenoga (or Lake of the Gods to the Mohawk First Nation people) depicts an ancient Mohawk legend of tragic romance. So deep was the connection between these two young lovers, legend has it that the spirit of the young girl wanders the shores to this day searching for her lost mate. Duration: ca. 5:00.

Composer: Mark Sirett | Country: Native American

An aural realization of the Arctic landscape, qitiraliq follows a tribe of Innu - the aboriginal people of Canada's far north - as they return home from the hunt. Despite their exhaustion, they relish in the miracles of nature laid out before them. Includes translation of the Inuktitut text. Duration: ca. 5:15.

Composer: Mark Sirett | Country: Canada

This anonymous Irish text is set to the beautiful Scottish melody Loch Lomond. With a piano part depicting the flowing river, passages featuring men's and then women's voices, and a middle a cappella section, this is a concert setting worthy of the best choirs. Duration: ca. 4:00.

Arranger: Mark Sirett | Country: Ireland

Jewish leader and scholar, Hillel the Elder, captures the tension between the need for healthy self-care and the importance of caring for others. Canadian composer Mark Sirett combines the ancient Hebrew text with modern English to create an elegant and folk-like setting.

Composer: Mark Sirett

This music creates a soundscape inspired by the mysticism of ancient Eastern religions, with a text and chant derived from the ancient Buddhist mantra that calls for peace and well being for all. It translates, Peace. May all beings be well and happy. The work evokes serenity, warmth and love. Duration: ca. 4:00.

Arranger: Mark Sirett

Commissioned for the 35th anniversary of the Vancouver Men's Chorus, this work celebrates the diverse beauty of the winter season. It can be performed with piano only but the optional instrumental accompaniment for flute, clarinet, violin, cello, bass and percussion make this a winter concert centerpiece.

Composer: Mark Sirett

A uniquely evocative setting of the Gloria. Elegant and fluid lines suggestive of Gregorian chant are changed into a freely sung soundscape of great beauty and richness.

Arranger: Mark Sirett

Arranger: Mark Sirett | Country: Ireland

Now available for SATB. This beautiful Gaelic carol translated as Christ-child's Lullaby has become a standard in the treble repertoire. The tune has a medieval quality while the gentle swaying rhythm captures Mary gently rocking the Christ-child in her arms.

Arranger: Mark Sirett

It was time for a new piece to serve as the concert closer and this is it. Selected for the Mike Scheibe Choral Series, this benediction uses the text of an ancient Scottish blessing that is delightfully generic in nature. Warm, deep and melodic, this is a benediction that can be used anywhere - church, school, college, community. Provided with both a piano and optional organ accompaniment (available separately), this selection is a precious end to any event. Easy to medium in difficulty.

Composer: Mark Sirett

The text of this beautiful Irish ballad tells the tragic love story of a young girl who goes to the Curragh to find news of her handsome love, a young man destined to perish with his compatriots in battle. Duration: 3:30.

Arranger: Mark Sirett | Country: Ireland

This poignant ballad from Cork, on the southwest coast of the Ireland, recounts the tragic death of a young rebel during the famous 1916 Easter Rising. The setting portrays the powerful emotions of men standing side by side with brothers in battle. Duration: ca. 3 minutes 15 seconds.

Arranger: Mark Sirett | Country: Ireland

This traditional nineteenth-century folksong comes from County Cork, Ireland and is based on a Welsh sea shanty, The Lass of Swansea Town. Written for and dedicated to Diane Loomer, founding director of the male chorus, Chor Leoni, this is a reflective arrangement of what is often a boisterous tavern song, capturing the sad sentiment of the lyrics.

Arranger: Mark Sirett | Country: Ireland

Setting this Celtic folk song in a slow and majestic style, the arranger underscores the anguish and uncertainty of the lovers who must say goodbye to each other. The final outburst is full of heartbreak and will be a passionate and emotional moment for your choir. Duration: ca 3:50

Arranger: Mark Sirett

This song of departure is believed to predate the more familiar Scottish folk song, Auld Lang Syne. (2:40)

Arranger: Mark Sirett

Here is one of American writer and poet Wendell Berry's best known and best loved poems. This music captures the serenity and peacefulness of the words and offers hope out of the business of life.

Composer: Mark Sirett

Celebrating the Mohawk heritage and Canadian landscape of the poet Pauline Johnson, Mark Sirett captures the passion and grandeur of the lyrics and serves them up for any accomplished women's choir.

Composer: Mark Sirett | Country: Canada

The Stars Point the Way was commissioned by the Cantilon Choirs of Edmonton, Alberta and was awarded Outstanding Choral Composition for 2010 by the Association of Canadian Choral Communities. This Christmas carol is sub-titled Cosmic Bethlehem and is a beautiful mix of traditional metaphors and contemporary references that will engage your singers and audiences and make the miracle relevant and personal. Duration: 3 minutes 35 seconds.

Composer: Mark Sirett

Once again, Mark Sirett has captured the spirit of a text and assigned it to the best possible voicing. The Wild Rover was and still is a popular pub song. It has also become a popular song for football (soccer) fans in Britain to sing at a game. Mark's arrangement is lively and robust. With its repeated chorus, it will be easy to learn and fun to sing. Duration: Ca. 2 minutes 40 seconds.

Arranger: Mark Sirett | Country: Ireland