Creative Programming: For Tenor/Bass Choirs Wednesday, April 03, 2019
recommended by Jen Sper and Lora Moore, School Choral Music Specialists
FOR COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY CHOIRS
The Music Before Me by Ryan Kelly, TBB with piano and solo
Here is a powerful ballad for men’s voices about personal exploration, determination, and hope in the face of opposition. Featuring a tenor solo and a robust piano accompaniment, the work is ideal for concert themes celebrating music, humanity, and the future.
Keep Your Lamps! arr. Andre J. Thomas, TTBB a cappella with conga drums
“Keep Your Lamps” is one of the most popular mixed chorus octavos in the Hinshaw catalogue. Here, André Thomas provides a male chorus voicing with optional conga drums of this well-known slave song.
Carrickfergus arr. Mark Sirett, TBB with piano
This traditional Irish tune, sometimes known as “The Sick Young Lover,” dates back to the mid 1800s. You will captivate audiences with this beautiful setting for male voices and piano.
FOR HIGH SCHOOL CHOIRS
Let the River Run arr. Craig Hella Johnson/adapt. Emily Crocker, TTBB divisi with piano, bass & percussion
The SSA/SATB arrangement of this Carly Simon song, as arranged by Craig Hella Johnson, has been sung and enjoyed by hundreds of thousands. Now, skillfully adapted and arranged by Emily Crocker, both men’s and women’s choirs can now experience this vibrant concert-pop work. The ranges and parts have been carefully scored for the most successful results.
Music in the Air arr. Ryan Murphy, TTBB with piano
Arranged for the 2018 Georgia All-State Men’s Chorus, Ryan Murphy’s arrangement of “Music in the Air” brings the song to an exciting new life. This setting includes a driving piano accompaniment and singable vocal parts, making this an achievable work for your choir with great impact.
Asleep in the Deep by Patti Drennan, TBB with piano
Asleep in the Deep, refers to those who have drowned while at sea. Patti Drennan’s adaptation of Arthur Lamb’s text is a love story about a sailor, his sweetheart, and the fate they meet while in a tragic storm at sea. Rhythmic and somewhat “stormy” throughout, this is an excellent and appropriate selection for developing tenor-bass choirs of all sizes.
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.
Lora Moore joined the Stanton’s choral staff in July 2018. A former middle school and high school director of 32 years, she holds a Bachelor of Arts in Choral Music from Capital University and a Master’s of Arts in Choral Music from The Ohio State University. Currently she is a church choir director, operates a private voice/piano studio and is active as a clinician and accompanist. During the off hours, Lora enjoys scouting out new day trips in Ohio to balance what her budget allows for her frequent trips to New York City to visit family and take in a Broadway show or two!