Choral Diversity Wednesday, February 22, 2023
recommended by Jen Sper and Lora Moore, School Choral Music Specialists
Choral Diversity by Dennis Shrock
Written by noted scholar and conductor Dennis Shrock, “Choral Diversity” is a presentation of composers throughout history who represent the broad and diverse canon of choral music. Included are twenty women composers and ten composers of color, many of whom have been previously underrepresented in studies and in performances.
Each chapter presents overviews of the composer’s life and choral output; information and analysis of selected compositions, including complete texts and literal translations not found elsewhere; and guidelines that address related and important aspects of performance.
Importantly, Shrock approaches choral diversity from multiple perspectives. Most notably, the book highlights the music of women composers – such as Hildegard von Bingen, Amy Beach, and Undine Smith Moore – as well as composers of color, including José Maurício Nunes Garcia, William Grant Still, and Margaret Allison Bonds, among others. Rounding out his approach, Shrock also explores the lesser-known works of familiar composers such as Palestrina and Brahms.
The book’s repertoire, too, represents a diversity of musical periods, styles, and genres – including chants, madrigals, chansons, motets, partsongs, oratorios, cantatas, and vocal chamber pieces – all of which are intended to be accessible to regular school, church, and community choruses.
With its broad scope and scholarly authority, “Choral Diversity” is the ideal resource for conductors at all levels looking to diversify their concert programming in a practical and historically informed way.
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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!