Uses: Christmas, Epiphany Scripture: Luke 2:1-7 The beauty of the unadorned human voice is on display in this new setting of a traditional French carol. Beginning in unison, the harmonies grow organically into a vast array of colors yet the linear voice leading is enabling for groups of many levels. Repetition further helps quick learning. The text is a true carol not only telling the nativity story but also foreshadowing Christ's redemptive mission. Duration: ca. 3:00.

Arranger: John S. Dixon

Commissioned by Janet Galvan for the Ithaca College Composition Competition and Festival, Trumbore has set the contemporary poem Earth Day by Annie Finch. This poem is a celebration of all that the planet offers us as well as a plea to respect what we find here. The music reflects this joy and celebration.

Composer: Dale Trumbore

There is a fierce passion behind Poe's famous Annabel Lee and this passion is captured in the speed and delivery of the text within the music. The music is tonal and rich and well suited for college and community choirs.

Composer: Timothy C. Takach

Walt Whitman wrote this poem near the end of his life as he was reflecting on his past and preparing for physical death. The music reflects this as it is both meditative, with passages of quiet homophonic passages as well as celebratory. Through all of this there is a soaring melody weaving through the textures.

Composer: Shawn Crouch

The quintessential encore for community or college choirs, this exciting choral has been a best-seller for many years. This unique composition actually uses authentic auctioneer cries as the lyric and rhythmic foundations of the piece. A standard for many years on All-State chorus programs, this deftly crafted composition captures an authentic piece of Americana and is truly a Mark Foster classic!

Arranger: John Biggs

Arranger: Donald Moore

It is such a joy to sing music by a composer who truly understands the voice. With logical voice leadings in and out of thorny places, wonderful use of suspensions and resolutions and a beautiful setting of this traditional text, concert choirs and accomplished church choirs will love bringing this music to life.

Composer: Rene Clausen

A unique and exciting Christmas offering for school or church use! Jonathan Crutchfield has taken a Youruban folk text and arranged it for SATB voices with a brief soprano solo and some very interesting percussion parts. Betelehemu gets its intense rhythms from African drumming techniques. This electric a cappella crowd-pleaser lends itself easily to choreography, and is extremely effective any time multicultural emphasis is desired. The demo recording heard here is by the First Baptist Church Sanctuary Choir, Huntsville, Alabama, directed by Harry Wooten.

Arranger: Jonathan Crutchfield

"Full of grace exceedingly..." nothing is as "Beautiful as she..." This buoyant Spanish love song includes words by Gil Vincente and extols the beauty of one beyond compare, asking sailor, soldier, and shepherd if they have ever seen such loveliness. Cantiga is sung a cappella, with the voices simulating the strumming of a guitar and providing percussive accompaniment to the melody. Great fun!

Composer: Gil Vincente

This beautiful Swedish folk hymn is beautifully set for the concert stage. The SATB divisi, a cappella setting allows for subtle changes between verses and requires richness of tone and child-like simplicity.

Arranger: Rene Clausen

Far from a typical Christmas work, this searching, insightful text illuminates the sacrifice that God already understood when He sent the baby Jesus to earth. Illustrating the emotions of the text, the music begins with the soft wonder we expect, moves to an aching and painful climax, and finally culminates in a restful and peaceful conclusion as we realize the magnitude of this innocent Child's birth.

Composer: J.A.C. Redford

Don Macdonald is quickly becoming a composer known for his cross-over style combining classical integrity with jazz stylings. In his notes from the composer included on page 2 of the octavo, he encourages singers to use the notes as an outline but feel free to stylize the music. This is a real crowd pleaser.

Composer: Don Macdonald

Perfect for large churches, festivals and celebrations. Scored for a brass quintet of 2 trumpets, 2 trombones and tuba, the instrumental writing is superb. Clausen always knows how to support the singers without covering them. And yet there is lots of room to feature the players.

Arranger: Rene Clausen | Composer: Rene Clausen

The bells are ringing throughout each voice part in this gently lilting announcement of the coming of the newborn King. Comfort and joy, the Lamb is come; Peace on earth, goodwill to men, a Savior's birth in Bethlehem. For Christmas or Epiphany, Comfort and Joy is a gem.

Arranger: Catharine D. Castanet

This stunning a cappella arrangement of the classic carol opens with the voices ad libbing cluster chords to imitate the chiming of church bells. A soprano soloist introduces the traditional melody and then both women's and men's sections are given verse and chorus with which to show off their individual blending and tuning abilities in four part harmony. Coventry Carol contains much dissonance in the form of chord clusters as well as tight harmonies. A great showpiece for your a cappella choir!

Arranger: Patrick Walders

Quoting Get On Board, this creative and energetic arrangement of the American folk song is full of opportunities for word painting and dynamic contrasts. Sally also uses speech choir sections to capture the energy of the text. Commissioned by the Ithaca College School of Music, this is a perfect opener or closer for your concert or festival. Duration Ca. 3 minutes 30 seconds

Composer: Sally Lamb McCune

A powerful, emotional text and rich harmonies express the passion of Christ's sacrifice. Using The Third Melody by sixteenth-century composer Thomas Tallis, arranger Lee Dengler expresses the inexpressible with vocal colors and textures that give tremendous depth of feeling to the awesome significance of Good Friday. The Creator has been crucified. With awe we glimpse its true import and dare to call it good.

Arranger: Lee Dengler | Composer: Carl P. Daw, Jr.

This famous prayer by St. Richard of Chichester is caressed by expressive beauty in this lush, richly harmonic setting. The piece unfolds naturally with the rise and fall of the text. The conservative voice leading makes for easy learning giving time for careful attention to maximizing the colorful contrasts that adorn the choral. Consider as a benediction for sacred service or prayer response for graduation or baccalaureate events. Sensitive.

Composer: St. Richard of Chichester

More experienced choirs will love the metric twists and turns in this fresh approach to the traditional Christmas carol.

Arranger: James McKelvy

Capturing both the wonder and the joy and optimism of winter. Words and music of possibility and energy of life in motion. Unlike many of Sara Teasdale's poems which struggle with depression, here she exudes the joy of a bright and fabulously frigid winter afternoon.

Composer: Dominick DiOrio

Uses: Christmas, Concert Scripture: Luke 2:8-9 This classic benedictory hymn is painted anew with fresh and emotive harmonies bringing a lush contemporary distinctive to its delicate statement of fellowship and faith. Rising like a quiet prayer this brief but potent anthem is simply breathtaking. As a concert or worship service closer this is essential repertoire. Highly recommended! Available: SATB, a cappella. Duration: ca. 1:59.

Arranger: Joseph Graham | Composer: William G. Tomer, Jeremiah E. Rankin

Joyful and ebullient! Effervescent! This happy German text comes to new life in Richard Hynson's delightful a cappella setting. Wonderful antiphonal effects come from fugal entrances in the voice parts and a layering of sound and texture. Hilariter is Latin for joyfully, and is the root for hilarity. Alleluya at its best!

Composer: Richard Hynson

Composer/conductor Z. Randall Stroope has taken this very successful three-movement work for mixed chorus and brass which he published several years ago, and wrote a new first movement, mostly new third movement, and re-orchestrated it in a colorful 16-minute display of choral/instrumental color.ÿ Calls for 4 trumpets, 3 trombones, tuba, timpani, perc (1), organ and optional treble choir.ÿ Makes a great centerpiece of a concert at advent or any other time of year.

Composer: Z. Randall Stroope

Uses: General, Concert, Memorial Scripture: John 14:2 An early American hymn arrangement is delivered with elegant craftsmanship in this a cappella jewel. Splendidly presented, the arranger seasons his arrangement with a gentle hand and achieves the proper balance of writer originality and stylistic authenticity. Available: SATB, a cappella. Duration: ca. 2:20.

Arranger: Howard Helvey

Tight harmonies and a flowing mixed meter give this expressive anthem a smooth ebb-and-flow, give-and- take feeling, very much like the spiritual relationship described in the text. I Am the Vine is a beautiful worship or concert octavo.

Uses: Concert Scripture: Romans 12:2 Rich harmonies and engaging textures characterize this affirming song of faith. A classic spiritual treatment for SATB or men's chorus!

Arranger: Roy Belfield Jr.

A tremendously joyful anthem about kingdom come! Roy Belfield has artfully arranged this light and bouncy spiritual with wonderful interplay between voices. Optional solos give soprano and/or tenor stars a chance to shine, and a middle section split between four-part women and four-part men gives each section a chance to really show what they've got! I Want to Be Ready has contagious energy, and such a wonderful picture of heaven - what unbridled happiness when we walk in Jerusalem just like John.

Arranger: Roy Belfield, Jr.

This beautiful poem of love begins with 7 words from Shakespeare's Twelfth Night and then moves to Colonel Heveningham's original words. As the colorful imagery of the text unfolds, the music reflects the textual meaning. The music touches on several tonal centers and closes with a recap of the opening section with the final measures repeating the most poignant words of the poem - Sing on.

Composer: Rene Clausen

Chris Massa's Missa Brevis is a wonderful study in contrast. As with the divergent Kyrie and Gloria texts, the two movements are stylistically different. The slow and prayerful Kyrie is both chant-like and fugal, with voices entering and overlapping at varying intervals. The Gloria is boisterous and electric with an up-tempo, mixed meter, musical dance. For Lent or memorial services, this new work is dynamic. Don't miss it!

Composer: Chris Massa

Rich harmony and texture take this simple Irish folk song to new heights. Blaine Shover's a cappella arrangement of Molly Malone is a colorful tapestry of thick harmonic textures and pure, quiet unisons. Written for SATB, a cappella, there is some divisi in each voice part, which adds to the brilliant collage of tone colors that permeates the piece. Melody and vocal accompaniment alternate between the men's and women's sections, then all four parts burst into lush harmony on the refrain. Great for contest or festival!

Arranger: Blaine Shover

There is a joyful spirit to this a cappella choral from this new Mark Foster composer with a gentle "islands" feel, making it the perfect sorbet for your menu of music this year. Use the optional percussion for an authentic festive touch.

Composer: Kevin D. Thomson

Arranger: Glenn Jones | Composer: Traditional

Pure, pristine harmonies reflect the simple desires of this prayer. Yet as the yearnings intensify with each verse, so do the textures and tone colors of this wonderful a cappella arrangement. The third verse, in particular, has some fabulous dissonances and rhythmic effects. Nearer, My God, to Thee is lovely and very moving.

Arranger: Thomas H.B. Slawson

This lovely folk melody is beautifully set by René Clausen. Utilizing the haunting quality of the clarinet to embellish the melancholy text, this simple folk song becomes the centerpiece of any choral concert. The clarinet part is included in the back of the octavo.

Arranger: Rene Clausen

The haunting melody of this a cappella Christmas work is harmonized in the Dorian mode and captures the irony of the Son of Man having no place to lay his head. No Room has a spiritual-like quality, yet the modal tonalities and occasional "jazz" chords give it a unique, almost ethereal feel. Seamless, chilling, and very moving. Performed by the West Coast Mennonite Choir; Larry Nickel, Director.

Composer: Joel Phillips

Commissioned by a consortium from Chorus America, this is a setting of a traditional Navaho poem. Beginning with a provocative first line Now Talking God, this three word phrase is used as a simple rhythmic motive that becomes the underlying fabric of the piece,reflecting the beautiful directness of expression of Native American spirituality.

Composer: Rene Clausen

Arranger: Roy L. Belfield, Jr.

Lee Dengler's setting of O Magnum Mysterium masterfully depicts the awesome wonder expressed in the text. A sense of divine mystery is heard and felt in this incredible mixture of close harmonies and dissonances, lush, open chords, and gently shifting meter. Exquisite!

Arranger: Lee Dengler

Uses: Christmas, Concert Scripture: Luke 2 The traditional Latin text about the mystery and majesty of the nativity is lovingly caressed in this evocative offering from composer Nicholas White, new to the Mark Foster catalog. There is great warmth in the chordal timbre of this excellent piece well suited for sanctuary or concert hall. The bittersweet quality of the writing makes this an ideal Christmas Eve selection. Recorded by The Tiffany Consort, Fiskdale, MA. Available: SATBB, a cappella. Duration: 2:48.

Composer: Nicholas White

Oh how beautiful, this finely crafted octavo! A gorgeous text is portrayed through lush sounds and textures, from rich, broad chords to tight jazz harmonies. For SATB voices with alto divisi, Oh How Beautiful, This Finely Woven Earth is a fabulous showpiece for advanced high school through adult choirs or vocal jazz ensembles.

Composer: Greg Jasperse

In this piece, film composer Ennio Morricone has ingeniously juxtaposed two choirs, string quartet, percussion, and oboe solo to create music which is representative of the Jesuit church music tradition of the era (choir 1 and strings), the native musical elements of the South American Guarani culture (choir 2 and percussion), tied together by the soaring melody of Grabriel's oboe. With nearly 10,000 viewers on YouTube, this has been one of Rene's most requested arrangements and we are extremely pleased to be able to bring it into print. Duration: Ca. 3 minutes 45 seconds

Arranger: Rene Clausen | Composer: Ennio Morricone

There is deep lamentation in the chromatic tones of this piece and yet the seeds of hope can be found as it climbs into the heights. Tastefully arranged, this little-known spiritual captures the warm tones of assurance at the heart of this bittersweet choral. Memorable!

Arranger: Marques L.A. Garrett

For Valentine's Day, spring, or anytime, Reflections of the Heart is a wonderful musical triptych of love. Each of the three pieces could easily stand on its own, or the entire trio may be performed as one work. Blessings is a sprightly madrigal-style wish for the good health and happiness of a beloved. Impressions is a beautiful memory of the moment when hands first touched. One Perfect Treasure is an expression of true love and contentment. A must for your library!

Composer: Ken Galbreath

This tender Czech carol has long been a favorite of many and this arrangement, lush harmonies - you will know when the angel chorus arrives! For w

Arranger: Dan Kallman

Commissioned for Erskine College in South Carolina, this setting of Psalm 89 is full of joy. A powerful piano accompaniment, a soprano descant over the last verse and constantly shifting tonal centers make this an exciting new arrangement of this familiar text.

Composer: Rollo Dilworth

Richly expressive, an old poem is treated with deep, lush harmonies and becomes a moving closer for concerts or festivals. Written with an ear to the a cappella glee club tradition, the incorporation of Dvorák's Goin' Home connects to the heart of the audience and wraps them in the warm embrace of beautiful sound.

Composer: Joseph Martin

Baritone solo or small group; expressive a cappella arrangement of a traditional spiritual From the Mark Foster catalog, here is an especially pictorial and dramatic spiritual for Holy Week. Craig Westendorf has chosen an expressive melody to recall Christ's concern for His mother. It is direct and powerful without sentimentality. Sung a cappella with baritone soloist, the repetitive use of the word nailin' beneath the second verse is particularly effective. Take My Mother Home could be used within the context of the passion reading by liturgical churches and is also suitable for Lent or Holy Week. All congregations will find this poignant and unique anthem to be a dramatic and moving addition to worship.

Arranger: Craig J. Westendorf

With a nod to Taps, this Civil War song is scored for guitar, clarinet and SATB choir. Featuring the women on verse one and the men on verse two, this beautiful arrangement captures the sadness and desperation felt by soldiers on the battlefield. Coming together in a unison statement we are tired of war on the old campground, the pain in the music is clear. The clarinet captures the melancholy and the guitar is simple and transparent in much the same way it would be in the middle of the campground.

Arranger: Rene Clausen

Written for a combined chorus performance at Avery Fisher Hall, Lincoln Center with the composer conducting, this major work in three movements is both poignant and inspiring. Drawing inspiration from the words of Henry David Thoreau and quoting Simple Gifts, Zion's Walls, and Materna, this is a classic Mark Hayes composition combining stylistic, contemporary writing with a classical foundation. With piano accompaniment, this will be powerful, but with either the full orchestration or the chamber orchestration, it will be unforgettable.

Composer: Mark Hayes