What Sweeter Music Tuesday, October 08, 2013
Ready to program your upcoming holiday concert? Stanton’s suggests that you try one of these outstanding choices with your choir:
Christmas Memories by Rosephanye Powell
Rosephanye Powell’s stunning work recorded with the Baltimore Choral Arts Society will make a wonderful feature for concert choirs from high school through community and collegiate levels. Whether you perform with piano only or collaborate with an orchestra, this romantic ballad will be a choir and audience favorite!
Here We Come A-Caroling arr. Molly Ijames
All dressed up with a fresh, updated text, this energetic setting of the popular carol is delightfully infectious! Creative interplay between the flute, violin, and piano add sparkle to this selection that will be easily prepared in a minimum of rehearsal time.
Jingle Bells arr. Mark Hayes
From Barbra Streisand’s quintuple platinum “A Christmas Album,” this holiday favorite really sparkles in a new choral adaptation by Mark Hayes.
Please Come Home for Christmas arr. Mark Brymer
Cee Lo Green’s Christmas album featured this R&B classic that captures all of Cee Lo’s coolness for your holiday program and offers the assurance that better Christmases are ahead!
What Sweeter Music by John Leavitt
The 17th century poem by Robert Herrick forms the basis for this lovely setting. The solo opening is taken up by the choir in a gently imitative way, followed by a contrasting middle section that reflects the imagery portrayed in the text. Finally, the music modulates and the rich choral textures bring the work to a fulfilling conclusion.
I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas arr. Jill Gallina
This novelty pop tune is perfect for providing that humorous moment in your concert. Bouncing with musical fun, the entertaining lyrics will delight your audiences.
In Winter by Victor C. Johnson
Softly stealing into the quiet moments of winter, this reflective piece evokes images of falling snow amid the graying sky of the season. Luscious harmonies, memorable melodies, and an artistic accompaniment grace this gorgeous original selection that incorporates familiar strains of “Still, Still, Still” to create a tender and introspective mood.
The Wexford Carol arr. Ruth Elaine Schram
The gorgeous Irish carol has been paired with the familiar “Venite adoremus Dominum” chorus from “The Snow Lay on the Ground” to create a lovely Christmas offering for treble voices. Optional flute and cello parts add a crowning touch to this exquisite selection that is suitable for school and church settings.
A Doo-Wop Christmas (With You) by Kirby Shaw
This clever a cappella original is reminiscent of doo-wop groups from the ’50s and ’60s. The choir sings a “bop-bop-bop” refrain alternately with classic back-ups, as a soloist or small group croons the flirtatious text, weaving in popular song titles from back in the day.
For more suggestions, check out our video below, click here to view our complete School Choral promotion for Holiday 2013, or contact us!