Christus factus est
Johann Michael Haydn, ed. Martin Banner
A treasure from the classic era.
SATB - piano
duration: 3:55
difficulty level: medium
SBMP 793
see and hear the music: Scorch
hear the music [© all rights reserved] Concert Choir of Crane School of Music, SUNY Potsdam, NY, conducted by Rebecca Reames
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Psalm 24
Lili Boulanger, ed. Lester Ray Miller III
A dramatic, rhythmic, full-throated setting of the Psalm. The piece features the men for two-thirds of the piece, and ends with women joining in, doubling them at the octave. Peter Eklund has performed this successfully with men alone. The recording by his men has brass accompaniment.
TTBB/with optional SATB ending - one piano/four hands or brass
duration: c. 3:00
difficulty level: medium
Series: Peter A. Eklund
SBMP 789
SBMP 789.1 - optional brass accompaniment
see and hear the music: Scorch
hear the music [© all rights reserved] University of Nebraska Varsity Men’s Chorus, Peter Eklund, conductor (Lester Ray Miller, guest conductor)
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A Christmas Carol
Joshua Shank
Excerpts from Dicken’s Christmas Carol, now set to music. This piece could be the fascinating centerpiece of a Christmas concert -- the message will give the audience a chance to sit back and think about what life is all about, any time of the year.
SATB - piano
duration: 6:20
difficulty level: medium
Series: Daniel Hughes
SBMP 759
read the poem
see and hear the music: Scorch
see the music: PDF
CD recording available
hear the music [© all rights reserved] Mesa High School A Cappella Choir, Germán Aguilar, conductor
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Alma Redemptoris Mater
Jason R. Bush
Number one of Four Marian Antiphons, the composer was drawn to these texts because, as he states, each is a desperate plea for a peace that constantly eludes us, a plea that reaches across the boundaries of ethnicity and religion. Each piece can easily stand alone; together the four make a stunning set. The composer creates great harmonic interest and stunning drama with minimal use of divisi.
SATB - a cappella
duration: 2:50
difficulty level: Medium
Series: Joshua Habermann
SBMP 772
Four Marian Antiphons
Alma Redemptoris Mater
Ave, Regina coelorum
Regina coeli
Salve Regina
see and hear the music: Scorch
see the music: PDF
CD recording available
hear the music [© all rights reserved] International Orange Chorale, Paul Kim and Jeremy Faust, conductors
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Ave, Regina coelorum
Jason R. Bush
Number two of Four Marian Antiphons, the composer was drawn to these texts because, as he states, each is a desperate plea for a peace that constantly eludes us, a plea that reaches across the boundaries of ethnicity and religion. Each piece can easily stand alone; together the four make a stunning set. The composer creates great harmonic interest and stunning drama with minimal use of divisi.
SATB - a cappella
duration: 3:30
difficulty level: Medium
Series: Joshua Habermann
SBMP 773
Four Marian Antiphons
Alma Redemptoris Mater
Ave, Regina coelorum
Regina coeli
Salve Regina
see and hear the music: Scorch
see the music: PDF
CD recording available
hear the music [© all rights reserved] California State University, Long Beach, University Choir, Jonathan Talberg, conductor
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Avinu Malkeinu
Hebrew folk song arranged Ron Kean and Jill Egland
The piece, taken from the Jewish High Holy Day liturgy, is a passionate, dramatic song; the arrangement beautifully highlights all its inherent color and drama.
SATB - piano
duration: 2:40
difficulty level: medium
SBMP 766
see and hear the music: Scorch
see the music: PDF
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Bless the Lord, O My Soul
David N. Childs
Commissioned by the church choir of the recording in honor of their organist, the piece features a dramatic organ part, with 4-part writing, optional solos which may be sung in unison, and a big, dramatic conclusion.
SATB - organ
duration: 4:50
difficulty level: medium
series: David N. Childs
SBMP 776
see and hear the music: Scorch
see the music: PDF
hear the music [© all rights reserved] Eastminster Presbyterian Church, Wichita, KS, Tom Wine, conductor
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Come Unto Me
Jason Shelton
A stunning setting of the biblical text “Come unto me all you that labor and I will give you rest.” Appropriate for the advanced church choir or the concert choir, the excellent recording is worth a listen.
SATB div. - a cappella
duration: 3:50
difficulty level: difficult
Series: David N. Childs
SBMP 746
see and hear the music: Scorch
see the music: PDF
CD recording available
hear the music [© all rights reserved] Collegium Vocale, Vanderbilt Univ., David Childs, conductor
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Cornerstone
Shawn Kirchner
The composer pulls out all the stops on this gospel piece. Tthe piano part soars; the two soloists dramatically rise above the choir. Female and male choral trios give the piece authentic gospel style.
SATB with two incidental solos: baritone and mezzo soprano - piano
duration: 3:45
difficulty level: medium
SBMP 747
see and hear the music: Scorch
see the music: PDF
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Emmanuel
Dennis Friesen-Carper
Gospel all the way here, this piece features a main chorus joined by a semi-chorus with SSA or SAT voicing. The piece works well a cappella, but there is also a supportive, gospel-style piano part included. The versatile composer had great fun creating this excellent piece.
SATB/semi-chorus/opt. piano
duration: 6:20
difficulty level: medium
SBMP 755
see and hear the music: Scorch
see the music: PDF
hear the music [© all rights reserved] Valparaiso University Chorale, Christopher M. Cook, conductor
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Follow the Drinking Gourd
traditional African American folk song arranged by Koepke
The composer has achieved great notoriety for his spiritual arrangements; his fans will delight to discover another great one. This setting is poignant with its message, and highly rhythmic in its design as it and builds to a dramatic conclusion. The text contains coded lyrics as is typical of many spirituals; their significance and meaning is documented in the printed score.
SATB div.
duration: 3:00
difficulty level: medium
SBMP 756
see the music: PDF
CD recording available
hear the music [© all rights reserved] Luther College Nordic Choir, Craig Arnold, conductor
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Gloria
Sanford Dole
A dramatic, festive GLORIA by an accomplished composer and conductor. His choir provides a fine recording of this piece. Excellent for the large, mature choir.
SATB with some sop and bass divisi; alto and baritone incidental solos - a cappella
duration: 4:45
difficulty level: medium
SBMP 742
see and hear the music: Scorch
see the music: PDF
hear the music [© all rights reserved] Cantabile Chorale, Sanford Dole, conductor
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Regina coeli
Jason R. Bush
Number three of Four Marian Antiphons, the composer was drawn to these texts because, as he states, each is a desperate plea for a peace that constantly eludes us, a plea that reaches across the boundaries of ethnicity and religion. Each piece can easily stand alone; together the four make a stunning set. The composer creates great harmonic interest and stunning drama with minimal use of divisi.
SATB - a cappella
duration: 2 :20
difficulty level: Medium
Series: Joshua Habermann
SBMP 771
Four Marian Antiphons
Alma Redemptoris Mater
Ave, Regina coelorum
Regina coeli
Salve Regina
see and hear the music: Scorch
see the music: PDF
CD recording available
hear the music [© all rights reserved] California State University, Stanislaus, Concert Chorale, Daniel R. Afonso, Jr., conductor. (Note: The composer made some minor revisions after the recording was made.)
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Salve Regina
Jason R. Bush
Number four of Four Marian Antiphons, the composer was drawn to these texts because, as he states, each is a desperate plea for a peace that constantly eludes us, a plea that reaches across the boundaries of ethnicity and religion. Each piece can easily stand alone; together the four make a stunning set. The composer creates great harmonic interest and stunning drama with minimal use of divisi.
SATB - a cappella
duration: 4:20 - SBMP 775
difficulty level: Medium
Series: Joshua Habermann
Four Marian Antiphons
Alma Redemptoris Mater
Ave, Regina coelorum
Regina coeli
Salve Regina
see and hear the music: Scorch
see the music: PDF
CD recording available
hear the music [© all rights reserved] San Francisco State University Chamber Singers, Joshua Habermann, conductor
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Weeping Mary
Social Harp - arranged Brad Holmes
Shape note music comes to life with the SATB choir divided into three choirs to lend a dramatic, antiphonal effect to this arrangement. At times all singers are involved, or only one of the three choirs, or a combination of two. The voicings: Choir I: SSA; Choir 2: SAT; Choir 3: A/T TB. The recording conducted by the arranger demonstrates the performance style needed for this piece.
SATB - a cappella
duration: 2:00
difficulty level: mediuim
Series: Charlene Archibeque
SBMP 750
see and hear the music: Scorch
see the music: PDF
CD recording available
hear the music [© all rights reserved] Millikin University Choir, Brad Holmes, conductor
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What Sweeter Music
J. Edmund Hughes
Rober Herrick’s famous poem receives highly creative treatment in this setting. A seasonal text usually associated with Christmas, the piece is worthy of performance at any time of the year.
SATB div. - a cappella
duration: 4:10
difficulty level: medium
series: Donald Brinegar
SBMP 758
see and hear the music: Scorch
see the music: PDF
read the poem
CD recording available
hear the music [© all rights reserved] Mesa High School A Cappella Choir, Germán Aguilar, conductor; note - the piece underwent some minor revision after this recording was made
ORDER HERE