I Carry Your Heart with Me: Poetic Texts for Choir Wednesday, May 12, 2021
8 Poems for choir
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recommended by Jen Sper and Lora Moore, School Choral Music Specialists
I Carry Your Heart with Me by Jonathan Reid, SATB with piano
“I Carry Your Heart with Me” is a beautiful new setting of the well-loved text by Jonathan Reid. With a melody that honors the words and a flowing and supportive piano accompaniment, this work will become a favorite of your audiences.
Out of the Silence by Greg Gilpin, SATB with piano
Joseph Seamon Cotter, the author of this sensitive, warmhearted text, was one of the first African-American playwrights ever to be published. Greg Gilpin incorporates subtle shifts of tempo and dynamics to paint a sumptuous sound picture that satisfies the soul. “But this I crave as you walk by, a smile on your lips, a light in your eye.”
All for Love of One by Bob Chilcott, SA with piano
This is a beautiful setting of an anonymous medieval text that follows a broken-hearted lover into the woods. Fluctuating between major and minor keys, Chilcott’s melody is full of nostalgia and grows intensely towards the middle of the piece. The parts are supported by a warm and flowing piano accompaniment.
Golden Slumbers by Mark Burrows, SATB with piano (optional a cappella)
Sung from the perspective of a parent or loved one to their young charge, this intimate expression of caring will be a charming addition to your concert programs. Mark Burrows combined a simple, sweet melody with embracing harmonies to create a beautiful choral presentation. “Golden slumbers kiss your eyes, smiles await you when you rise; sleep, pretty darling and do not cry, and I will sing you a lullaby.
The Slender Moon by Greg Gilpin, SATB with piano
With gently soothing harmonic colors, Greg Gilpin captures the mystery of the slender moon in this wonderful setting. Inspired by the descriptive text found in poet Joseph S. Cotter Jr’s. poem “Night Winds,” this work will wow audiences and choirs alike.
The Lake Lay Blue by Greg Gilpin, SSA with piano
With a text based on “The Blue Bird” by Mary Elizabeth Coleridge (1861-1907), Greg Gilpin’s original music is a stunning SSA concert work that reflects the cold and still lake, quickly capturing the reflection of a bird “whose wings were palest blue” as it flew past in a glint of sun. Singers will sound amazing performing this work for concert, festival and contest.
My Companion by Elaine Hagenberg, SATB divisi a cappella
This is a tender setting of a text by American poet Edith Franklin Wyatt that speaks of companionship and the joys of sharing it as we travel along the road of life. Hagenberg employs her characteristically rich harmonic language to create a piece with great depth and immediacy.
The Swing by Victor C. Johnson, 2-part with piano
With its rising and falling melodic lines and lilting accompaniment, the singer and listener both experience the joy and exhilaration found in swinging. Robert Louis Stevenson’s text is set in a delightful way that expresses just the right blend of depth and whimsy to appeal to young choristers. Accessible, with thoughtfully composed harmonies and gracious interplay between the voices that swings the interest back and forth. Delightful!
No matter what your in-person or remote teaching requires, 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!