NEW for Fall Concert: High School Choir Friday, August 03, 2018
recommended by Jen Sper, School Choral Music Specialist
Ready to program your fall concert? Start with Stanton’s! Here are just a few of our Five Star Features for High School Choirs this season:
FOR MIXED CHOIRS
In That Great Gettin’ Up Mornin’! arr. Greg Gilpin
A grandiose choral introduction travels through several keys to open this polished setting of the traditional spiritual, which soon breaks into a joyously brisk treatment featuring call-and-response between sections, terraced dynamic contrasts, and thick divisi textures. Fantastic a cappella writing for advanced choirs.
Wild Mountain Thyme arr. Patti Drennan
“And we’ll all go together, to pick wild mountain thyme all around the bloomin’ heather.” Your audience will be sure to recognize this popular Irish folk song that’s been recorded by The Chieftains, The Clancy Brothers, and The Irish Tenors. Resplendent with Highland harmonies and musical nuances as-is, or add the optional tin whistle (or flute) for extra Celtic flair!
The Wind Gives Voice to the Trees by Greg Gilpin
Exuding mystery and modal nuances, this concert/festival showpiece features the composer’s own original text. It is filled with word painting and rich imagery about how trees stand silently, and it is only until the wind blows or when “nature breathes” that they make a sound with their rustling leaves and branches. There is also an underlying important message about how all of nature works together. Rich harmonies and haunting melodies are supported by the interesting accompaniment which weaves a wind-like pattern.
Rain Music by Victor C. Johnson
“On the dusty earthdrum beats the falling rain. Now a whispered murmur, now a louder strain.” This forward-moving, rhythmically-driven music enhances the dramatic, image-laden text of Kentucky-born poet and playwright Joseph S. Cotter, Jr. Effective unison, two-, three-, and four-part writing throughout and optional parts for rain stick and djembes heighten the musical effect.
FOR TREBLE CHOIRS
Dies Irae (from Requiem) by W.A. Mozart/arr. Patrick M. Liebergen
Introduce your choir to one of Mozart’s most enduring masterworks! Arranger Patrick Liebergen has sensibly adapted the original material into multiple voicings that stay true to the original, while also offering a compelling piano reduction of the original orchestral score. Exciting and dramatic classical rep!
Lift Your Voice In Singing by Laura Farnell
This piece should be sung exuberantly throughout! A contrasting B-section demonstrates a hushed sense of wonder, then builds dynamically in excitement and intensity as each voice part enters. The text “Let your song be love” reminds all who sing and hear this piece that life is too short and precious to allow anything but love to direct our hearts.
The Slender Moon by Greg Gilpin
With gently soothing harmonic colors, Greg Gilpin captures the mystery of the slender moon in this wonderful setting. Inspired by the descriptive text found in poet Joseph S. Cotter, Jr’s. poem Night Winds, The Slender Moon will wow audiences and choirs alike.
FOR TENOR/BASS CHOIRS
Jubilate, Exsultate! by Victor C. Johnson
Contemporary choral harmonies and a driving piano accompaniment are the hallmarks of this exuberant setting of the traditional Latin text. A legato English language section in the middle provides contrast before an energetic return to the original material. Highly recommended for concert or contest!
Poor Wayfaring Stranger arr. Christi Jones
With ostinato-like phrases throughout, Jones’ rhythmic and interesting arrangement of this beloved spiritual will suit the needs of developing tenor-bass choirs of all sizes. Performed with piano accompaniment or a cappella, “Poor Wayfaring Stranger” is sure to please in any concert.
I Will Lift My Eyes by Jonny Priano
“I will lift my eyes to the mountains; from where comes my help?” These words from Psalm 121 have inspired countless composers and they have been sung by choirs of every kind. Here they are beautifully set for high school women or men.
Find more Five Star Features at stantons.com/SchoolChoralFall2018, or contact us for personalized recommendations. Shop Stanton’s for all your sheet music needs!
About the Author:
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.