Winner of the 2018 prestigious Brehm composition competition at the University of Michigan, here is a Walt Whitman text that seems to float in the air, like the stars it is about. Very subtle dynamic contrasts require a skilled choir and thorny dissonances establish a contemporary harmonic language.

Composer: Sawyer Denton

Here is one of the most famous boleros and most sung Mexican song in the world now set in a concert choral arrangement. This arrangement is a regular part of the King's Singers repertoire as well as vocal Essence and the Mexican choir Vox Populi Project. This music is hip and contemporary while staying true to its stylistic heritage.

Arranger: Julio Morales | Composer: Consuelo Velazquez

Written at the request of Eugene Rogers for his new series, Bound for the Promised Land uses three 19th-century melodies: the shape note hymn The Promised Land; and two Appalachian fiddle tunes, Santa Anna's Retreat and The Temperance Reel. Using the Celtic phenomenon called mouth music or lilting, the singers accompany the dance music as fiddlers in a light and energetic fashion. The hymn tune, published in 1835, is credited to Miss M. Durhan, and is thus probably the first music published in America by a female composer. Duration Ca. 4 minutes

Composer: J. David Moore

Here is a lively and energetic folk song from Bulgaria. An easy-to-use IPA pronunciation guide is included making the language easy to master.

Composer: Joshua DeVries

Combining two spirituals with original music and emplying two soloists, this arrangement from first time contributor Carlos Simon is amazing. Series editor Eugene Rogers wrote and said get this piece in print so I can begin programming it! High praise indeed.

Composer: Carlos Simon

With a text by contemporary poet Asher Harris, the composer explores the challenges we face when far from home. A feeling of rubato throughout suggests a constant yearning and thorny harmonics urge us to jump out of our comfort zones.

Composer: Adrian Wong

Featuring a tenor soloist throughout, this is a master-class in Call and Response, and traditional Gospel style.

Arranger: Carlos B. Brown | Composer: Traditional

Commissioned by Chorus America for the Boston Children's Chorus in memory of the first anniversary of the Boston Bombing. Berry's text describes the uncertainty of the human condition that can be felt in our violent contemporary times, and the fear of the world that our children will inherit. In the years since the composition was first written, during which an untold number of violent acts have gripped our headlines, The Peace of Wild Things has become a memorial against all violence in our society.

Composer: Shawn Crouch

Written as a tribute for a loved one's wedding, this passionate text is captured beautifully in the music. Programmed for the 2023 ACDA National Honors Choir.

Composer: Margaret Burk

Commissioned by Jerry Blackstone for the University of Michigan Chamber Choir, Sunset captures the image-rich poem by Paul Lawrence Dunbar. Dunbar's poem captures the familiar and solemn atmosphere that we call dusk or end of day while composer Knaggs evokes a bit of the mystery and nostalgia into the cosmic wonders that become visible during and after the setting of the sun.

Composer: Daniel Knaggs

Commissioned by the University of Michigan Men's Glee Club here is a passionate tour de force for advanced men's choirs. Full of rubato and with a text that is powerful while at the same time sensitive this is a wonderful addition to the collegiate repertoire.

Composer: Andrea Ramsey