Jennifer Lucy Cook : Some Keep The Sabbath

Composer Jennifer Lucy Cook, winner of the North Dakota State University Edwin Fissinger Choral Composition for 2022, demonstrates an uncanny ability to seamlessly blend words into music. The text is by Emily Dickinson, a poet whose profound and independent thinking has been capturing hearts for well over a century. Cook effortlessly maintains a hymn-like style infused with fluidity, freedom, just the right touch of dissonance, and a final cadence that brings a smile to the soul.

Composer: Jennifer Lucy Cook

The traditional Latin Hodie text is set in a madrigalian fashion, but with a fresh contemporary flare. An excellent choice for church or concert performances. Includes optional English text.

Composer: Joseph Testa

This piece is a polite adaptation by famed Scottish poet, Robert Burns, of a traditional bawdy song of the same name. This more charming version presents a poignant and emotive consideration of human relationships and aging. Arranged sensitively for a cappella mixed voices by Michael Weber of North Dakota State University, one feels the lament and the Scottish countryside. Medium in difficulty, for high school, community and college choirs.

Arranger: Michael Weber

In contemporary madrigal style, Daniel Pederson has eloquently set this Shakespeare love poem. This is a high school or college chamber chorus selection that would also be a wonderful festival selection. Caressing harmonies and free floating rhythms enhance this excellent composition.

Composer: Daniel Pederson

Ever awakened from a dream and wished you could return to it? British composer Paul Ayers begins with whispering noises before divulging his text, and later brings some Chinese text into the mix. His creativity earned him the winner of the North Dakota State Edwin Fissinger Composition Competition and a placement in the Jo Ann Miller Series. Great artistry emerges in this composition that works beautifully for advanced high school, college and community choirs. Medium.

Composer: Paul Ayres

The William Blake poems, The Lamb and The Tyger are often paired together, and Andrew Miller has composed them so they can be sung as a set or separately. The overlapping lines in The Lamb enter in stretto and the echo effect is enthralling, largely because of the resulting harmonies. The final blessing brings a most satisfying ending. Best for advanced high school and college choirs, along with community groups. Medium difficulty.

Composer: Andrew Miller

Launching a new series by Dr. Jo Ann Miller of North Dakota State University, this work features a text by Walt Whitman set to music by Daniel Pederson. His command for the a cappella choral instrument is immediately noticeable in this evocative setting.

Composer: Dan Pederson

Winner of the Edwin Fissinger Composition Competition, this illustrative work has also been selected for the Jo Ann Miller Choral Series. The text by Bliss Carman paints beautiful pictures of the seasons and expresses the joy of love in all. Nicholas Kelly provides a colorful accompaniment and flowing choral lines that surpass the seasons and lift up love. It is a romantic song with a large landscape and a fullfilling message. Good for advanced high school, community and college choirs. Medium difficulty.

Composer: Nicholas Kelly

New in the Jo Ann Miller series for 2008, up and coming composer Justin Metz illustrates the text of Robert Louis Stevenson masterfully. The accompaniment descriptively swings in the air while the vocal lines follow appropriately after. A true concert pleaser.

Composer: Justin Metz

The William Blake poems, The Lamb and The Tyger are often paired together, and Andrew Miller has composed them so they can be sung as a set or separately. The strength and power of the tiger emerges effortlessly from the superb writing. This selection was selected for the Jo Ann Miller Choral Series and was winner of the 2013 NDSU Edwin Fissinger Choral Composition Contest. Best for advanced high school and college choirs, along with community groups. Medium difficulty.

Composer: Andrew Miller

A great celebration of music and creation elevate this glorious piece. Winner of the NDSU competition and selected for the Jo Ann Miller Choral Series and appropriate for fine high school and college choirs.

Composer: Nancy Hill Cobb