For Contest & Festival 2022 Monday, January 31, 2022
Returning to Adjudicated Events with your choirs in 2022? Let Stanton’s School Choral Professionals help you! Here are NEW contest select suggestions to pair with your required octavos at all difficulty levels in SATB, Treble, and Tenor/Bass voicings!
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recommended by Jen Sper and Lora Moore, School Choral Music Specialists
for SATB Ensembles
Agnus Dei by Ola Gjeilo, SATB divisi a cappella
Originally written for the Phoenix Chorale in 2010, this shortened version of Ola Gjeilo’s “Agnus Dei” embraces its peaceful and introspective spirit.
Dies Irae by Michael John Trotta, SATB divisi a cappella
Pulsating rhythmic ostinatos, cluster harmonies, and soaring soprano lines are all present in this exciting a cappella concert work. Based on the 13th century Dies Irae chant, the exciting minor texture contrasts driving rhythms and beautiful legato singing, while still remaining accessible. A perfect way to showcase your choir as a concert opener, closer, or for festival use.
I Am Possibility by David von Kampen, SATB with piano
Becky Boesen’s poetry is brought to life through composer David von Kampen’s unique piano writing and simple yet expert vocal arranging.
A Dream Within a Dream by Ruth Morris Gray, SATB with piano
Ruth Morris Gray’s ability to use voices to elevate and enhance the meaning of a text is masterful. Based on the poetry of Edgar Allan Poe, this beautiful choral work features an elegant melody supported by a hauntingly expressive piano accompaniment. Equally well-suited for concert or contest programs, this stunning piece encourages top-tier musicality.
for Treble Ensembles
Threads of Joy by Dale Trumbore, SSAA a cappella
This song of happiness and celebration of the human experience is set in a minor key. The harmonic language acknowledges that we can’t have joy without recognizing its opposite. The undertones point out that this is not just an exultation of happiness but also suggests how we emerge from darkness and pain back into light. The music captures this duality in ever-shifting prismatic harmonies.
Lullaby by Matthew Emery, SSAA a cappella
This musical setting of the Dekker poem employs a warm, lush harmonic language along with a lovely, lyrical treatment of this familiar bedtime poem. Commissioned and premiered by the NW ACDA Women’s Honor Choir, this is a wonderfu addition to serious treble literature.
An die Musik (To Music) by Franz Schubert, SSA with piano
Geoffrey Edward’s arrangement of the Schubert classic features easy-to-learn vocal parts for all voices. The score includes both German and English lyrics and is written in a comfortable D-flat major. This wonderful foreign-language concert selection is ideal for March Music-in-Our-Schools performances.
Singabahambayo arr. Victor C. Johnson, SSA a cappella with percussion
Fun to sing and surprisingly rehearsal-friendly, this South African musical celebration of freedom and hope is sure to have instant appeal. Lending itself to simple stage choreography and with an exciting, driving beat throughout, it will enthrall choirs and audiences alike.
for Tenor/Bass Ensembles
In Dreams by Zebulon Highben, TTBB a cappella
This beautiful setting of a Rossetti text is a true gem for a tenor-bass choir. Three verses in length, framed with doo-doo-doo vocables, this a cappella work has much to offer to a mature ensemble.
Ad Astra (To the Stars…) by Jacob Narverud, TBB with piano
With a pulsating and highly rhythmic piano accompaniment, composer Narverud’s “Ad Astra” radiates energy. Filled with hope and empowerment, the text reads, “To the stars through difficulties, look upward, move forward, leave all cares behind.” “Ad Astra” is an impressive, yet accessible piece for developing or advanced choirs alike.
Little Wheel A-Turnin’ arr. Greg Gilpin, TTB with piano
This popular choral arrangement is now available in many voicings to fit a variety of choirs! A repeated vocal pattern creates the feel of a spinning wheel with the iconic spiritual melody riding above crafted with energy and drive. Discover again this great arrangement for everyone to sing!
Laudate Pueri Dominum by Patti Drennan, TB with piano
This is a sprightly original that is right in the groove for tenor-bass voices, especially choirs with a combination of unchanged, changing, and changed voices. Choral writing includes unison, simple harmony, and easily mastered independent counterpoint, with some optional divisi in the last four measures. A strong main melody holds the piece together. This title will make any size ensemble sound great!
“Program with the pros” by contacting us to brainstorm more ideas for your ensemble, and remember – shop Stanton’s for all your sheet music needs!
About the Authors:
Jen Sper is a Choral Music Specialist here at Stanton’s Sheet Music. A native of Cincinnati, she holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Baldwin Wallace College (now University) Conservatory of Music, and taught 7-12 choir, music theory, class piano, and drama in Southern Ohio before joining the Stanton’s team in 2006. An active choral singer and accompanist throughout the Central Ohio area, Jen can also often be found exploring the exciting restaurant, brewery, and theater scenes in Columbus, wandering through the local metro parks, visiting family around the Great Lakes, or at home with her very friendly cat.
Lora Moore joined the Stanton’s choral staff in July 2018. A former middle school and high school director of 32 years and a former church choir director of 20 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. 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!