Although the text of this piece is light and clever, it is meant for the serious director and choir. All parts call upon the full vocal range. The choral harmonies are contemporary and independent with no help from the piano, and it is rhythmically complex and intricate. Seldom has a choir been encouraged to have so much fun with such a complex piece.

Composer: Robert Sieving

The sparsely populated repertoire of concert spirituals written specifically for women welcomes a fine addition with this exceptional arrangement. In it, Carey uses the full range of the mature female voice to convey the deep pathos and the exuberant cry for hope that this traditional text conveys.

Composer: Paul Carey

The scriptures often speak of truth in paradox: a seed dies to live again, brokenness and grace, pain and love, and light that changed the empty darkness forever. "A Spotless Rose" embraces the assuring light, the Love of God, that beamed forth, for us, at darkest midnight.

Composer: James R Day

In this incredibly powerful Hebrew-text piece, Sharon Farber has captured the moving experience of setting a beautiful and emotionally charged poem. Beginning with unison voices to symbolize the shared grief felt by those who have lost a child and moving into cries of pain in the music and text, this dynamic selection is best for mature female voices.

Composer: Sharon Farber

A finalist composition in the 2006 New York Sings! A Composer's Symposium, this work is an energetic and rhythmically exciting setting of E. E. Cummings's take on excess noise in modern society. In it, the power of singing is echoed and restored through the blessing of silence.

Composer: Dominick DiOrio

This piece is the third in the set of "Three Marian Antiphons for Treble Choir" by Palestrina and edited by Raymond Sprague. As in the first two pieces, the editor has provided a clean and uncluttered score in order to provide a canvas on which the informed conductor and well-trained choir can create a fresh and true interpretation of this beautiful Renaissance masterpiece.

Composer: Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina

Written for a large, adult women's choir, the Aurora Chorus, Joan has crafted a piece that explores the full dynamic range and the subtle emotions that a mature women's choir can deliver.

Composer: Joan Szymko

The composer captures the intensity of the Sojourner Truth text credited with saving the day for women's causes at the 1951 Women's Rights Convention. In a gospel 12/8 setting, the full range of the women's voice are utilized in this stirring concert piece.

Composer: Sandi Peaslee

A dramatic setting of this liturgical text with expressive contemporary harmonies and dissonances.

Composer: David Reznick

This sixth and final movement of Hasse's Miserere in C Minor for SSAA choirs was composed in 1728 for the Conservatory of the Incurabili in Venice, Italy. Women's choirs will delight in the opportunity to sing this lovely setting of the Latin prayer.

Arranger: Martin Banner | Composer: Johann A Hasse

An opening fanfare sets a festive mood that continues throughout this entire work. This piece, with a Latin text adapted from the psalms, has already been used in all-state festivals throughout the country.

Composer: Ruth Watson Henderson

Winner of the Cantate Chamber Singers 2006 Young Composer's Competition, this setting of Psalm 98 highlights both the rhythmic and lyrical qualities of the text through exciting use of the vocal registers and the piano writing. The simple but effective ABAB form makes this an excellent piece for opening or closing a program.

Composer: Dominick DiOrio

Familiar and memorable, versions of the Cinderella story can be found all around the world. This commissioned setting celebrates "that beautiful part of us, overlooked, mistreated and enslaved" that finally "shines in palaces where beautiful goodness is welcome." Lilting and dance-like throughout, this is fun to sing and very accessible.

Composer: Robert Bowker

Brahms was one of the first composers to write specifically for women's choirs, and his lush harmonies and expressive keyboard writing are perfect for the treble voice. This lovely setting of a beautiful text speaks of a love and lover yet to be discovered and is sure to move singers and audiences alike.

Arranger: Chester L Alwes | Composer: Johannes Brahms

With the excellent scholarship that today's conductors have come to expect from Roger Dean Publishing, this mostly homophonic setting of the Dixit text is excellent for the intermediate to advanced treble choir.

Arranger: Martin Banner | Composer: Michael Haydn

Following the success of earlier selections in his Polish music series, Dr. Zielinski has found another delightful folk song that will engage both singers and audiences in this infectious style.

Composer: Stanislaw Wiechowicz

One of the hallmarks of Paul Carey's music is his ability to find and set clever-and in this case hilarious-texts. Set in changing and often uneven meters, this clever text is set to very serious and worthwhile music. This truly original work is sure to put a smile on the faces of singers and listeners alike.

Composer: Paul Carey

In addition to its wonderfully musical setting, this Shakespearian text will provide opportunities for discussion of interdisciplinary issues in both historical literature and women's studies. The music is an emotional and intellectual expression reinforcing strength and independence for women.

Composer: Stephen Bouma

Based on a popular folk song from the Gujarat region of Northwest India, the voices in this rhythmic folk dance alternate, representing percussion instruments, and the piece also includes suggestions for hand percussion and hand clapping. Accessible while offering harmonic sounds that are fresh and new, this selection introduces a part of the world not often explored with music.

Composer: Sheena Phillips

Tender and lilting, this 7/8 setting of the familiar carol features a delicate beginning that builds to a powerful "Hail the King of Glory." Voice leadings and ranges have been carefully crafted by this choral-music icon.

Composer: Ruth Watson Henderson

Written to capture the ecstatic nature of this beautiful traditional text, Mark Simmons's setting couples contrasts in tempo, diction, and dynamics with the thrilling timbre of a women's choir. The musical elements all work together to highlight the passion inherent in the "Gloria" text.

Composer: Mark Simmons

This father/son collaboration is a lively, Caribbean setting of the traditional Latin liturgical text. This is a joyous and kinetic expression of a text often set in a gentler manner.

Arranger: Matthew McClure | Composer: Glenn McClure

Commissioned by the Cornell University Chorus, this piece is the kind of "folk song" that really lets a women's choir get down and dirty. With a driving, Appalachian-style folk melody, wide ranges that show off the mature treble voice, and a full range of dynamic contrasts, "Go Dig My Grave" is sure to be a show stopper. Although published separately, this selection was created to pair with "Jubilee" (15/2962R).

Composer: Sally Lamb McCune

Joan's music beautifully captures the hope, promise, and contentment of being here and having what we need and want. The solo violin part is included in the choral score and requires an accomplished player.

Composer: Joan Szymko

When most conductors see the name Rene Clausen attached to a piece of music, they tend to associate that selection with college or professional singers. Happily, on occasion, Rene brings his compositional talents and deep understanding of the voice to a broader range of ensembles. Although not easy, this piece is perfectly suitable for a high school or community treble choir.

Composer: Rene Clausen

With a joyful text by this early Christian mystic, Rene Clausen has created an energetic and tuneful piece that will be a joy to learn and sing. The imagery created by the text will demand creative and insightful work by both singers and director.

Composer: Rene Clausen

Commissioned by the Texas Choral Directors Association for their 2009 honor choir, this lush setting of a classic Langston Hughes text uses the full range and dynamics of the woman's voice. Dr. Clausen has crafted a piece that will find its way on festival lists for years to come.

Composer: Rene Clausen

From the opera "Adriana Lecouvreur," this gorgeous melody has been skillfully set for women's choir by Nancy Grundahl. The original aria requires a mature singer and conductor. As a choral piece, it requires an equally mature chorus and a skilled conductor who can shape this very rubato and expressive music into a cohesive ensemble experience. When that ensemble sound is achieved, this piece will not soon be forgotten by singers or their audiences.

Arranger: Nancy Grundahl | Composer: Francesco Cilea

In the style of a traditional foot-stomping, hand-clapping, smile-inducing early American folk song, this Sally McCune original is pure fun. Ranges are appropriate for accomplished high school women, and the playful rhythm will be enjoyable for everyone. Although published separately, this selection was created to pair with "Go Dig My Grave" (15/2963R).

Composer: Sally Lamb McCune

Although there have been many settings of this inspired text, either under this title or American poet Sara Teasdale's original title, Barter, Carey's setting is the most intently aware of the sad irony of the poem as viewed in the context of Teasdale's eventual death by suicide. This is revealed in the use of minor and modal harmonies and the pang of melancholy intertwined with moments of soaring beauty. This sensitive setting will offer conductors the opportunity to teach flowing lines as well as the elements of choral blend and tuning.

Composer: Paul Carey

On a recent tour of Asia by the Utah Children's Choir, this piece received countless requests for copies of the manuscript. This joyful Christopher Smart text is set to often changing, frequently uneven meters, with very rhythmic vocal lines. The accompaniment will require an accomplished pianist and the final page will bring your audience to its feet.

Composer: David H Sargent

The cantiga de amigo is a folk poem whose speaker is an adolescent girl, quite often in the midst of discovering love for the first time, and often confiding her innermost thoughts to her madre. Movement 1: after an introduction imitating the sound of guitars, a young girl realizes the power of love. Movement 2: as the accompaniment suggests gentle waves, a rather suggestive and delightfully imaginative invitation is offered. Movement 3: passion gives way to resignation. Movement 4: as the convent beckons, and amid strains of her own Dies Irae, a young girl bemoans her fate. Movement 5: a wish for the heart to soar as high as the birds.

Composer: Paul Carey

Christina Rossetti (1830-1894) is one of the finest devotional poets who has written in the English language. Her deep faith and boundless creativity are both evident in the moving poem in which she meditates on the uniqueness of Christ. Larry Shackley's musical setting brings out the alternating moods of serenity and spiritual passion with rich harmonies and a flowing melody.

Composer: Larry Shackley

Originally published in 1585, this motet for women's voices is in the typical polyphonic style of Victoria -- and it is a must for serious treble choirs.

Arranger: Raymond Sprague | Composer: Tomas Luis DeVictoria

Commissioned by Robyn Lana and the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, this delicate piece paints the picture of a gentle rain and the life giving impact that it has on life all around it. Paul's musical setting of rain sounds--"pitter patter, drip drop, splish splash, rain"--is both descriptive and delightful. A perfect spring concert selection.

Composer: Paul Carey

With clarinet and cello parts suitable for good high school players, this setting of the familiar Rossetti text is perfect for advanced high school choirs and beyond. A brief unison beginning quickly expands into colorful polyphonic writing, which includes counterpoint with both solo instruments and piano. The independent vocal lines along with the contemporary harmonies will make for a wonderful teaching piece and a satisfying concert selection.

Composer: Robert Sieving

These are works arranged for women's choruses, large festival choruses and select children's choirs. The songs offer the performers and the listeners a glance into the colorful and humorous characteristics of the folk poetry and folk music of Poland. Each song can be sung in Polish or English. Pronunciation guides for the Polish text are printed with each octavo.

Arranger: Richard Zielinski | Composer: Stanislaw Wiechowicz

These are works arranged for women's choruses, large festival choruses and select children's choirs. The songs offer the performers and the listeners a glance into the colorful and humorous characteristics of the folk poetry and folk music of Poland. Each song can be sung in Polish or English. Pronunciation guides for the Polish text are printed with each octavo.

Composer: Stanislaw Wiechowicz

Commissioned for Dr. Sharon Hansen and the Milwaukee Choral Artists' 10th anniversary, this three-movement set is suitable for only the very best collegiate and professional women's choirs. The accompaniment requires an accomplished pianist, and only the most mature singers will be able to handle the vocal demands of the choral writing and the emotional demands of the poetry. For those that can, though, the rewards are tremendous.

Composer: George L Mabry

The cantiga de amigo is a folk poem whose speaker is an adolescent girl, quite often in the midst of discovering love for the first time, and often confiding her innermost thoughts to her madre. Movement 1: after an introduction imitating the sound of guitars, a young girl realizes the power of love. Movement 2: as the accompaniment suggests gentle waves, a rather suggestive and delightfully imaginative invitation is offered. Movement 3: passion gives way to resignation. Movement 4: as the convent beckons, and amid strains of her own Dies Irae, a young girl bemoans her fate. Movement 5: a wish for the heart to soar as high as the birds.

Composer: Paul Carey

Written for Jean Ashworth Bartle and the Toronto Children's Chorus for Jean's final concert, this famous poem-"Warning," by Jenny Joseph-is loaded with humor. As is her hallmark, Ms. Henderson has crafted a piece that stretches young singers to be all that they can be without ever asking too much, with a piano accompaniment that is independent and essential.

Composer: Ruth Watson Henderson

This beautiful melody from Brahms retains the musical integrity of the vocal solo while providing a worthy addition to the romantic repertoire for women's choirs.

Arranger: Victor C. Johnson | Composer: Johannes Brahms

Choosing texts by two New Mexico poets, these two pieces, originally written for harp, are perfect for non-holiday, winter concert programs intended to uplift the spirit. The message of hope and renewal, intrinsic to the winter solstice, will resonate with singers and audiences everywhere.

Composer: Paul Carey

Underlying the simplicity of Margaret Atwood's poem is a complex picture of the human condition. Treble choirs ranging from high school to professional will enjoy this musical setting as it shifts from happily animated passages to more deeply expressive sections as the dialogue between parent and child is musically explored.

Composer: Paul Carey