Creative Programming: For Treble Choirs Wednesday, June 20, 2018
recommended by Alissa Ruth and Jen Sper, School Choral Music Specialists
Light of a Clear Blue Morning – Dolly Parton, arr. Craig Hella Johnson
Now adapted for SSAA by Richard Gabrillo, Craig Hella Johnson’s setting of Dolly Parton’s Light of a Clear Blue Morning is infused with light and hopefulness as it opens with a solo soprano and gradually builds to a joyful overflowing of sound and vocal texture, then gently relaxing into a reflective conclusion. With soprano recorder.
O Antiqui Sancti – Hildegard Von Bingen, arr. Michael Engelhardt
This thrilling work for women’s chorus from Michael Engelhardt will offer something totally unique for your program. A mix of sustained vocal lines and articulated passages along with both counterpuntal and homophonic writing make this a truly remarkable composition. This will be a favorite of your singers.
Harriet Tubman – arr. Kathleen McGuire
In a new SSAA voicing, this is an outstanding arrangement of the song originally penned by Walter Robinson and a timely honor as the anti-slavery activist’s image will be on the new twenty dollar bill. A cappella vocals build with a “come on up” followed by rhythmic vocals under the hypnotic melody. Optional cabaca part helps to imitate a train along with vocal nuances resembling the sound of chains and a train whistle. Powerful and moving
Ave Generosa – Ola Gjeilo
This setting of Hildegard von Bingen’s Ave Generosa text uses a hauntingly joyful tonality, paying homage to the mysteious story of Mary. A beautiful middle section is surrounded by contrasting, modal beginning and ending sections. The juxtaposition of sustained and moving moments holds true to the composer’s style, while the harmonic structure and vocal construction offer something very fresh.
For more information about these and other recommendations, visit our website at stantons.com, email us at choral@stantons.com, or call us at 1.800.42.MUSIC.
About the Authors:
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 across the country, and spends her free time running, doing yoga, cooking, and watching Netflix.