“Tidings of Comfort and Joy” Friday, October 26, 2018
recommended by Jen Sper, School Choral Music Specialist
Ready to program your upcoming holiday concert? Maybe you need just ONE MORE perfect piece to round out your winter programming. Let Stanton’s help! Here are some of the best new releases for school choirs this season, in many different styles and varying levels of difficulty:
FOR HIGH SCHOOL CHOIR
Be Glad This Festive Day (A Winter Roundelay) by Douglas E. Wagner, SATB with piano & percussion
A perfect opener for your holiday concert or Madrigal dinner, this inspired Doug Wagner creation partners with “Deck the Hall” and possesses all of the color and pageantry of a Renaissance court celebration. Optional parts for drum, tambourine, and finger cymbals add to the festive flair that your choir and audiences are sure to enjoy.
The Huron Carol arr. Sarah Quartel, SATB with piano
This is a traditional Canadian carol with a text by St Jean de Brébeuf, a seventeenth-century French missionary who worked primarily with the Huron people. Following an ethereal beginning with dissonant, haunting harmonies, the carol builds to an expansive climax.
Have You Seen the Newborn King? by Victor C. Johnson, SATB a cappella
The crisp, accented energy of this original a cappella Christmas spiritual exudes rhythmic excitement from start to finish. A soloist is featured with the choir in a call and response style section and the layering of independent melodies in each part fuels the momentum that builds to the strong, dynamic ending.
What Child? by Ruth Morris Gray, SATB a cappella with percussion
Creative programming at its best is reflected in this unique, contemporary a cappella original employing the traditional What Child Is This? lyrics. In the opening and closing sections, vocal ostinato patterns support the melody and provide the frame for the middle section which features a lovely setting of the traditional carol tune. The addition of djembe and body percussion will add character and texture to the rhythmic feel of this joyous seasonal offering.
Winter by Anthony Giamanco/arr. Andy Beck, SATB with piano
Walter de la Mare’s poem is a fantastic example of the Romantic-era imagination, and even more so when paired with this gorgeously haunting music. A delicately constructed piano accompaniment glides beneath shifting contemporary harmonies and varied choral textures, ultimately leading to a beautifully subdued ending.
FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL CHOIR
Tidings of Comfort and Joy arr. Audrey Snyder, 3-part mixed a cappella with hand percussion
Here is a new twist on this traditional English carol. The vocal writing is light and rhythmic and will surprise your listeners. A piano part is offered as an accompaniment but this arrangement works just as well when sung a cappella. And optional hand clap and percussion parts make this a special piece within your winter concert.
Come and See the Baby by Ruth Morris Gray, SAB a cappella
Percussive and dynamic a cappella singing will appeal to choirs of all sizes singing about the new born baby in Bethlehem. Hushed and vibrant energy play between voices throughout this a cappella work, which also offers optional descant, solos and a simple rhythmic shaker percussion part.
Now Sing We All Noel! by Mary Donnelly & George L.O. Strid, 3-part mixed with bells & hand drum
Written in the Renaissance “madrigal” style, this is a real change of pace for the developing choir. It is crafted to be sung a cappella but if your choir isn’t ready for that yet there is a piano part along with hand drum and bells to give support to the singers and enhance the performance.
Winter Dream by James DesJardins, 3-part mixed with piano & violin
Winter Dream is the ideal “winterscape” piece for three-part mixed voices. The artful piano accompaniment provides ample harmonic support throughout, while the vocal melody has a dreamy quality perfect for the winter scene depicted in the text. Add the optional violin part (included) to put the finishing, icy touch on your performance.
FOR TREBLE CHOIR
A Czech Christmas Carol arr. Lynn Shaw Bailey & Chris Pillsbury, SSA with piano & tambourine
“Pujdem spolu do Betlema” is a popular traditional Czech Christmas carol whose title translates to “Let’s all go to Bethlehem.” In dance-like style, the verses describe different people playing their musical instruments, along with onomatopoetic sounds, as if playing in a celebration. With optional Czech text (phonetic pronunciations are included in the score) as well as English text, this wonderful Czech Carol is a flexible, holiday programming must.
In the Bleak Midwinter arr. Robert I. Hugh, 2-part with piano
This classic melody by the early 20th century British composer never grows old. Young people will love to rehearse this melody. Older elementary singers will enjoy adding a second part and young women have a beautiful descant to discover.
Ballad of the Winter Trees by Amy F. Bernon, SSA with piano
Written with a variety of choir types in mind, this captivating work captures the chilly allure of winter and is a superb creative programming choice. As the harmonies move from minor to major, the sun emerges, “warming and courageous,” and spring arrives. Detailed imagery and a haunting melody pull the singers into a frozen world that dramatically thaws and blossoms. A Learning Resource Page is included.
FOR TENOR/BASS CHOIR
Betelehemu arr. Andy Beck, TTB a cappella with percussion
A captivating chant opens this a cappella arrangement of the Nigerian Christmas carol, before breaking into a joyous, rhythmic celebration. This well-voiced adaptation allows even developing groups to sing a beloved staple of choral repertoire. Optional percussion parts add to the multicultural excitement!
Do You Know the Way to Bethlehem? by Douglas E. Wagner, TBB with piano, guitar & percussion
This is a high energy, rhythmically charged original Christmas song featuring a verse of the familiar “What Child Is This?.” Easy to teach and fun to perform with strong vocal lines and optional bass guitar and percussion parts, your guys will love digging into this one!
I Saw Three Ships arr. Paul David Thomas, TB with piano, flute & frame drum
Jolly and jaunty, rhythmic and fun, Thomas’ TB arrangement of “I Saw Three Ships” is highly energetic and sure to be a holiday favorite. Add the optional percussion and flute for an even more exciting performance for your tenor-bass ensemble.
Find more holiday selections for choirs on our website, or contact us at 1.800.426.8742 for personalized recommendations for your ensemble. 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.