News & Views Saturday, November 23, 2024

Creative Programming: For Our Earth Tuesday, April 20, 2021

recommended by Jen Sper and Lora Moore, School Choral Music Specialists

We Can Plant a Forest by Jim Papoulis, SATB with piano and optional percussion
Now available for SATB, the inspiration for this song grew from the need to continually plant new trees for our future, and to appreciate the parallel between a healthy forest and a healthy society. The text reminds us that entire forests as well as communities are actually formed by individual components, all of which need to be nurtured.

The Blue Ridge by Elaine Hagenberg, SATB with piano
Elaine Hagenberg captures the hushed majesty of an evening in the Blue Ridge Mountains, with crystal clear melodies and fervent harmonies illuminating the poem of Harriet Monroe. The ascent and descent of the opening lines trace the mountains’ silhouette against the sky, followed by the treble and bass voices that draw us by turn to view each detail of the scene and listen for the wisdom of the mountains. Accomplished high school choirs and beyond will find beauty and meaning as they explore this piece.

O Earth, Loving Mother by Mark Sirett, SATB a cappella
This work, using adapted words by one of Canada’s most treasured poets, Archibald Lampman, underscores the urgent need for us all to be respectful and mindful of the fragility of mother earth, which gives us life and sustains us. This is a beautiful work for any concert lifting up Earth Day, the environment, socially conscious themes, or plant and animal life.

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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!

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