Creative Programming: Masterwork Texts Friday, December 13, 2019
recommended by Jen Sper and Lora Moore, School Choral Music Specialists
Worthy texts: can’t find anything suitable for your next choral concert? Let Stanton’s help! Check out our compilation of octavos featuring the poetry of Sara Teasdale, Lord Byron, Charles Dickens (and more!) wedded to outstanding SSA, TTB and SAB/SATB arrangements.
The Moon Is Hiding in Her Hair by Mark Burrows, SATB with piano
Rich choral sonorities fill this expressive and contemporary concert setting of an e.e. cummings poem. Thoughtful vocal entrances begin the piece followed by the ebb and flow of dynamics and harmonies, engaging the singer to explore the romantic text.
Rain Has Fallen by Ruth Morris Gray, 3-part mixed with piano
Using constant and flowing eighth notes in the piano accompaniment along with overlapping echoes in the voices to mirror the sound of a steady rainfall, here is a beautiful setting of the James Joyce poem. The most famous setting of this text was created by American composer Samuel Barber and now we have a setting that is suitable for middle school singers. Detailed and informative rehearsal notes are included in the page two notes.
I Will Be the Gladdest Thing by Neil Ginsberg, SA with piano
An Edna St. Vincent Millay favorite is given a fresh and free treatment, complete with spritely, leaping rhythms. A gentle rock feel and invigorating contemporary harmonies support and propel the energizing text forward. An opportunity for solo or small group singing is included at the end. A delight to prepare and perform!
Give Me Your Stars to Hold by Ruth Morris Gray, TTB with piano
Sara Teasdale‘s text is superbly set in a steady and flowing concert work. Diverse part-writing fills the choral, creating harmonic contrast and richness with beautiful examples of text-painting from the composer.
These Things Shall Never Die by Mark Burrows, TTBB with piano
“The pure, the bright, the beautiful … The streams of love and truth … The striving after better hopes … These things shall never die.” The honorable words of Charles Dickens are richly set for lower voices. Beginning softly and building throughout as the lyrics dictate, the arrangement ends in a thrilling, full-voiced finale.
She Walks in Beauty by Z. Randall Stroope, SATBB with piano
“She walks in beauty in the night”……arguably Lord Byron‘s best known poem, is another fine example of the extraordinary and unique compositional skills of prolific American composer Z. Randall Stroope. A strong choice for festival and honor choirs.
She Walks in Beauty by Dan Complieta, TTBB with piano
Here is a lyrical choral setting of the early 19th century poem by Lord Byron. Musical themes in the music are introduced in unison followed by simple harmonizations. The vocal writing is melodic and the accompaniment is supportive and thoughtful.
O My Luve’s Like a Red, Red Rose by Guy Forbes, SATB divisi a cappella
Following in the spirit of his setting of “O Nata Lux,” Guy Forbes brings us a beautiful setting of this well-known Robert Burns‘ text. He has reserved the caressing dissonances for just the right moments, and mild harmonic surprises where you are happy to go. A great choice for advanced high school and college choirs.
Contact us for more poetic inspiration, or browse our website for ideas. Shop Stanton’s for all your sheet music needs!
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!