International Carol Suites Monday, August 14, 2017
recommended by Judy H. and Jennifer F., Sacred Choral Music Specialists, and Jen Sper and Alissa Ruth, School Choral Music Specialists
International Carol Suites arr. Mark Hayes
International Carol Suites weaves together familiar and lesser-known carols in a thrilling and multicultural celebration of the holiday season! Select one movement for a ten-minute burst of Christmas joy, or perform several for an extended presentation of carols from around the world. English text is included throughout the work, with foreign language text also included where appropriate – great care was taken to find the best English translation of each song, but in many cases the translations are not literal, so we encourage you to use the original texts whenever possible. The dazzling orchestration is ideal for combined performances, whether used as a sophisticated cantata option for a church setting or community chorus, or for accomplished choirs at the high school level.
International Carol Suites contains 30 carols, representing 20 countries: Germany, France, Spain, Austria, Italy, Ukraine, Poland, Czechoslovakia, Bohemia, Russia, England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales, Venezuela, Chile, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Canada, and the United States.
Carols of Europe
I. Carols of Western Europe (Good Christian Men, Rejoice; He Is Born, the Holy Child; The Son of Mary; Still, Still, Still; Gesu Bambino; Break Forth, O Beauteous, Heavenly Light; Angels We Have Heard On High)
II. Carols of Eastern Europe (Ukrainian Bell Carol; O, Come Rejoicing; Infant Holy, Infant Lowly; Rocking Carol; Come, Hear the Marvelous News; Carol of the Russian Children)
III. Carols of the British Isles (What Child Is This?; God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen; Deck the Hall; The Wexford Carol; Baloo, Lammy; The Snow Lay on the Ground; Joy to the World)
Carols of the Americas
I. Carols of Central and South America (The Journey; Going to Bethlehem; The Babe; At the Hour of Midnight; Song of the Wise Men)
II. Carols of North America (The Huron Carol; Brightest and Best; Behold That Star; Rise Up, Shepherd, and Follow; Go, Tell It on the Mountain)
About the Authors:
Judy H. has been working in Stanton’s Choral Department since 1975. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Bowling Green State University, and a Master’s degree in Choral Conducting from The Ohio State University. A member of the Grove City Chamber Singers, Judy also enjoys reading and spending time with her four grandchildren.
Jennifer F. is a graduate of Otterbein College with a degree in Vocal Performance. She has worked at Stanton’s for over 14 years specializing in Sacred Choral, Classical Vocal and Handbell music. Jennifer is a soprano section leader in the Chancel Choir at First Community Church in Columbus Ohio, and is also the founder, Artistic Director and bass bell ringer for Handbells Columbus.
Jen Sper has been with Stanton’s since 2006. A former middle school and high school choral director, she holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Baldwin Wallace College Conservatory of Music. An active choral singer and accompanist throughout the Central Ohio area, she also enjoys good food, running (to counteract the good food…) and the Muppets.
Alissa Ruth began working at Stanton’s in the summer of 2016. She is a former middle and high school choir director and holds a Bachelor of Music in Education degree from Capital University. She is an active choral singer in the Santa Fe Desert Chorale, as well as various choirs in the Columbus area, and she spends her free time running, doing yoga, cooking, and watching Netflix.
