Matthew & Michael Culloton Bios

Angels We Have Heard on High arr. Drew Collins
series: Matthew and Michael Culloton
In 7/8 time, and set in the mixolydian mode, this is a colorful setting of this favorite carol
SSATBB - a cappella [difficulty level: medium] duration: 2:00
catalog number: SBMP 805

[© all rights reserved] The Singers: Minnesota Choral Artists, Matthew Culloton, conductor
see and hear the music: Scorch CD recording available
ORDER HERE
Calm on the Listening Ear of Night by David Dickau
series: Matthew and Michael Culloton
The flute adds to the beauty of the piece, with its introduction setting the mood, and interludes that lend an elegant touch. Limited divisi in the choral parts makes the piece quite accessible.
SATB div. - a cappella [difficulty level: medium] duration: 4:10
catalog number: SBMP 786

[© all rights reserved] Choral Arts Ensemble, Rochester, MN, Michael Culloton, conductor
see and hear the music: Scorch CD recording available
ORDER HERE

flute part - SBMP 786.1 - FREE DOWNLOAD
Canticle of Praise by René Clausen
series: Matthew and Michael Culloton
Originally written for the King’s Singers (a 6-man ensemble) and the Morman Tabernacle Choir, this publication is the version re-scored by the composer for performance by his Concordia Choir. A dramatic concert opener or closer.
SATB/SATB - a cappella [difficulty level: difficult] duration: 5:20
catalog number: SBMP 655

[© all rights reserved] performed by The Concordia Choir - Moorhead, MN, René Clausen, conductor
see the music - PDF file CD recording available
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Carol of the Birds traditional Catalonian Carol, arr. Robert Sieving
Series: Matthew and Michael Culloton
A beautiful, lush arrangement of this beloved carol.
SATB div. - a cappella [difficulty level: medium] duration: 3:40
catalog number: SBMP 803

[© all rights reserved] The Singers - MN Choral Artists,Matthew Cuiloton, conductor
see and hear the music: Scorch CD recording available
ORDER HERE
Famine Song VIDA, arr. Matthew Culloton
Series: Matthew and Michael Culloton
Written by a professional vocal quartet of women named VIDA, and inspired by the stories of Sudanese basket weavers who expressed the pain and hope experienced by those in the famine of the 1980s, this is a most unusual and fascinating song. Arranger Culloton has captured all the pathos of the original version. A proven audience pleaser.
SATB - a cappella [difficulty level: easy]
catalog number: SBMP 575
[© all rights reserved] performed by The Hopkins High School Concert Choir, Minnetonka, MN., Matthew Culloton, conductor
see and hear the music: Scorch
CD recording available
ORDER HERE
From Where I Stood by Joshua Shank
series: Matthew and Michael Culloton
Mr. Shank again brings us great drama, challenging the singers to really get “into it.” Singers will revel in this wonderful piece set to a text by Edna Vincent Millay. The commissioning choir does a fine job with the recording.
SATB - piano [difficulty level: medium] duration: 4:00
catalog number: SBMP 822

[ ©all rights reserved] performed by Ankeny High School Concert Choir, Brandon Dean, conductor
see and hear the music: Scorch
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Gabriel’s Message traditional, arr. Joshua Shank
Series: Matthew and Michael Culloton
Notes from the composer:
I see this carol as a scene: Mary sits in the dark when light gently breaks in the room as the angel Gabriel reveals himself and slowly unfolds his wings. (The opening phrase is meant to convey this.) The rest of the piece is essentially a quiet waltz of profound, inner joy between the angel and the maiden.
SATB div./solo quartet [difficulty level: difficult] duration: 7:20
catalog number: SBMP 644

[ ©all rights reserved] The Singers— Minnesota Choral Artists, conducted by Matthew Culloton
see the music- PDF file
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Go, Tell It on the Mountain arr. Joshua Shank
Series: Matthew and Michael Culloton
Striving to make the text of this well known Christmas spiritual vividly come to life, composer Shank has created an awesome arrangement which builds a mountain of sound before it ends quietly and poignantly announcing the news: Jesus Christ is Born. Don't miss this one if you have an outstanding, mature choir. Your audience will be moved to heartfelt silence and will leave the concert talking about this piece.
SATB div. - a cappella [difficulty level: difficult]
catalog number: SBMP 580
[© all rights reserved] performed by The Singers, Matthew Culloton conductor
see the music - PDF File CD recording available
ORDER HERE
Joy to the World Lowell Mason, arr. Michael Culloton
series: Matthew and Michael Culloton
An elegant arrangement, made interesting and fresh with rhythmic variation, and a flute part that soars above the choir.
SATB div. - optional flute [difficulty level: medium] duration: 2:15
catalog number: SBMP 806

[© all rights reserved] performed by The Singers - Minnesota Choral Artists, conducted by Matthew Culloton (note: there were some minor revisions to the beginning and ending after the recording was made)
see and hear the music: Scorch
ORDER HERE
Long Time Trav’ling Sacred Harp tunes, arr. Abbie Betinis
series: Matthew and Michael Culloton
This piece is a real musical trip! Adding excitement to the choral rendition are two tenors who join in at the beginning as they ride high-flying above the choir. Reflecting the shape-note performance tradition, the composer next cleverly weaves solfege syllables into the fabric of the tunes; and in one section, we hear the distant sounds of a chain gang creating an underlay to the song. There’s a whole lot happening here. Singers will love this piece.
SATB div./tenor duet - a cappella [difficulty level - difficult] duration 4:20
catalog number: SBMP 702

[© all rights reserved] performed by The Singers–Minnesota Choral Artists, Matthew Culloton, conductor
[NOTE: After the premier recording was made, as can be seen in the printed score, a slight revision was made to the solfeg section.]
see the music - PDF file
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Minstrel Boy, The arr. Joshua Shank
series: Matthew and Michael Culloton
The Irish aire comes to dramatic life in the hands of composer Shank. Often in four parts, the divisi when in occurs, is not difficult.
SSAATTBB - a cappella [difficulty level: medium] duration - 4:30
catalog number: SBMP 633

[© all rights reserved] San Marcos High School Madrigal Singers, Carolyn Tereoke-Brady, conductor

[© all rights reserved] University Choir, University of Colorado at Boulder, Lawrence Kaptein, conductor
see and hear the music: Scorch
ORDER HERE
Monotone of the Rain by Robert Sieving
series: Matthew and Michael Culloton
While the word Monotone is part of the title of the poem by Carl Sandburg, it is not indicative of the scope of this piece! Sieving has created a dramatic choral realization of this poem that revels in the beauty of nature. The piece is very much a sensitive choral tone poem, with soaring melodies and an artistic accompaniment.
SATB - piano, violin; opt. string ensemble [difficulty level: medium] duration: 4:10
catalog number: SBMP 893

[© all rights reserved] performed by Wayzata (MN) High School Concert Choir, Rebecca Wyffels, conductor
see and hear the music: Scorch
ORDER HERE
My Soul Is Awakened by Brad Burrill
series: Matthew and Michael Culloton
The poem by Anne Bronte is about the impact of the wind:
My soul is awakened, my spirit is soaring
And carried aloft on the wings of the breeze;
For above and around me the wild wind is roaring,
Arousing to rapture the earth and the seas.

The piece begins with the choir singing on nonsense syllables to imitate the flowing wind.
A joyful, upbeat piece, this will be fun to sing, and an interesting addition to a program.
SATB - a cappella [difficulty level: medium] duration: 2:40
catalog number: SBMP 711

[© all rights reserved] performed by the Honors Choirs of SE Minnesota Concert Choir, Michael, Culloton, conductor
see see the music - PDF file
hearhear the music - MIDI recording
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New Moon, The by David N. Childs
series: Matthew and Michael Culloton
The Sara Teasdale poem is given stunning treatment, commencing with a dramatic a cappella opening, and progressing onward with sensitive and beautiful melodies accompanied by a supportive and inventive piano accompaniment.
SATB div. - piano [difficulty level: medium] duration - 4:35
catalog number: SBMP 708

[© all rights reserved] performed by The Choral Arts Ensemble, Michael Culloton, conductor
see see and hear the music: Scorch
CD
recording available
ORDER HERE
O Frondens Virga by Kevin Jay Isaacs
series - Matthew and Michael Culloton
The Latin text by Hildegard von Bingen inspired chant-like writing for the women. The violin and piano add great harmonic interest to the beautiful vocal lines. A fascinating, very dramatic piece.
SSA - piano, violin [difficulty level - medium] duration - 6:10
catalog number: SBMP 885
[© all rights reserved] Luther College Pike Kor, Sandra Peter, conductor
see and hear the music - Scorch
ORDER HERE

violin part - SBMP 885.1 - FREE DOWNLOAD
People, Look East Traditional French carol, arranged by Drew Collins
Series: Matthew and Michael Culloton
An upbeat, charming, tho lesser known carol, this is a very flexible arrangement. It can be sung by a quartet or a chorus, a cappella or accompanied - an optional piano or harp accompaniment appears in the score; the arranger offers many suggestions for adding instrumental color to the piece; and both an English text and the original French text are included.
SATB - optional piano or harp [difficulty level: medium] duration: 1:45
catalog number: SBMP 732

[© all rights reserved] performed by The Singers: Minnesota Choral Artists, Matthew Culloton, conductor
see see the music - PDF file
CD
recording available
ORDER HERE

 
Prairie Waters by Night by John Muehleisen
Series: Matthew and Michael Culloton

Commissioned by the Dale Warland Singers for their final season, this dramatic piece is set to a colorful poem by Carl Sandburg; the music reflects the composer’s deep sensitivity to nature and to the words of the poet. The piece is part of a set of two pieces titled Two River Nocturnes, River Moon being the other member of the set.
SSAATTBB [difficulty Level: difficult] duration 5:20
catalog number: SBMP 675

[© all rights reserved] performed by the Dale Warland Singers, Dale Warland, conductor
see see the music - PDF file
ORDER HERE

River Moons by John Muehleisen
series: Matthew & Michael Culloton
The colorful Carl Sandburg poem is given dramatic treatment by the composer, his sensitivity to nature and to the poem very evident in this setting. The piece is part of a set of two pieces titled Two River Nocturnes, Prairie Waters by Night being the other member of the set.
SSAATTBB [difficulty level: difficult] duration: 6:30
catalog number: SBMP 676

[© all rights reserved] performed by the commissioning choir, Choral Arts Ensemble, Michael Culloton, conductor
see see the music - PDF file
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Shall We Gather at the River Robert Lowry, arr. Matthew Culloton
series: Matthew & Michael Culloton
The arranger has created an elegant, beautiful setting of this well known melody that will work well in the concert hall, or the church.
SSATBB - a cappella [difficulty level: medium] duration: 4:00
catalog number: SBMP 849

[© all rights reserved] performed by The Singers: Minnesota Choral Artists, Matthew Culloton, conductor
see see the music - PDF CD recording available
ORDER HERE

There Is No Rose by René Clausen
series: Matthew & Michael Culloton The cello and harp add color and drama to this beautiful melodic setting of the famous text.
SATB - harp, cello (opt. piano) [difficulty level - easy ]
catalog number: SBMP 579
[© all rights reserved] performed by the Choral Arts Ensemble of Rochester, MN; Michael Culloton, conductor
Eric Kutz, cello; Mary Schneekloth, harp
see see and hear the music: Scorch CD recording available
ORDER HERE

cello part - SBMP 579.1 - FREE DOWNLOAD
harp part - SBMP 579.2 - FREE DOWNLOAD
There was a time by Eric William Barnum
series: Matthew and Michael Culloton
Like a fine artist, the composer paints a beautiful picture of this text by Wordsworth. Listen to the recording to see the picture!
SATB div./ sop. solo/incidental tenor solo [difficulty level: medium] duration: 4:20
catalog number: SBMP 770

[© all rights reserved] performed by The Choral Arts Ensemble of Rochester, MN, Michael Culloton, conductor
featured on the 2009 ACDA National Reading Session

see see and hear the music: Scorch see read the poem
CD recording available
ORDER HERE

To the New Jerusalem Walker, arr. Matthew Culloton
series: Matthew & Michael Culloton
This arrangement of the upbeat shape-note tune is a great one for a procession, to sing in the round, or just to perk up a concert. The arrangement builds in strength to a dramatic ending.
SATB div. - a cappella [difficulty level: medium] duration: 3:00
catalog number: SBMP 703

[© all rights reserved] performed by the Choral Arts Ensemble, Rochester, MN, Michael Culloton, conductor
see see the music - PDF file
ORDER HERE

 
What Sweeter Music Can We Bring by Kenneth Jennings
series: Matthew & Michael Culloton
The famous Christmas poem by Robert Herrick comes to vivid life in this setting for choir and cello.
SATB - cello [difficulty level: medium] duration: 5:05
catalog number: SBMP 649
see see the music - PDF file
hear the music - midi recording
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cello part - SBMP 649.1 - FREE DOWNLOAD

when god decided to invent by Joshua Shank
series: Matthew & Michael Culloton
The composer creates his musical interpretation of the invention of the world with the help of the E.E. Cummings poem. The is an audience pleasing/choir-will-love-it piece.
SATB - sop. saxophone [difficulty level: medium] duration: 6:10
catalog number: SBMP 693

[© all rights reserved] performed by the commissioning choir: Mound High School Jaguar Chorale, Mark Rohwer, conductor
see see the music - PDF file
ORDER HERE

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