Creative Programming: New Choral Textures Monday, December 07, 2020
recommended by Jen Sper and Lora Moore, School Choral Music Specialists
Dawn and Dusk (Fajar dan Senja) by Ken Steven, SATB divisi a cappella
Fajar dan Senja II or in English “Dawn and Dusk II” is an exploration of sounds with the human voice. The composer captures the magical moments of a day’s beginning and its end through the variety of vocal colors and hand percussion. Based on Indonesian exotic Melayu scale, the music pictures the folk life atmosphere into a vibrant sound experience. Medium-difficult but worth every second!
Hands by Martin Sedek, SAB a cappella with hand percussion
This is a fun, easy to learn a cappella piece that any mixed choir will enjoy. The use of hand percussion, including claps, snaps, and thigh slaps, add a very unique and amusing element. Everyone enjoys some hand movement to go along with singing!
The Hurricane by Paul David Thomas, 3-part mixed with piano
Have you ever been in a heavy storm or near a real hurricane? This unique piece makes use of a variety of special effects using the voice and hands resulting in sounds that resemble heavy wind and rain, like those one might hear in a hurricane. Singers of all ages will never tire of this work.
The Red-Gold Darkness of Rain by Dominick DiOrio, SATB divisi with piano
This unique work, set to an Amy Lowell poem, has the feeling of a soundscape and will appeal to the adventuresome choir wanting to engage the audience with their performance.
Bringers of Noise by Kyle Pederson, SA with piano and taiko drum
Here’s a dramatic detour into choral theater! Using a fictional language from an imaginary oracle, this exceptional piece effectively combines narration, rhythmic chanting, singing, and percussion to create an atmosphere of awe and mystery. A selection that your audience will be talking about for weeks afterward, and your singers will never forget. Instructions are provided to quickly adapt the SA voicing for 3-part mixed choirs.
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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!