| |
|
|
| |
Beautiful Star of Bethlehem |
|
| |
Boosey & Hawkes HL48019783 |
|
| |
|
|
| |
Voicing: SSA chorus with
piano and violin |
|
| |
Text: Adger M. Pace (1882-1959) |
|
| |
Composer: R. Fisher Boyce |
|
| |
Duration: c. 3’ |
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
I’ve wanted to arrange
this little Christmas song for the longest time, as I
love its straightforward simplicity and country roots.
It has been recorded by everyone from Chanticleer to the
Judds (whose recording I particularly like!). I hope I’ve
captured some of its charm in this setting for treble
voices with piano and fiddle. |
|
| |
|
|
| |
O Beautiful Star of
Bethlehem, Shine upon us until the glory dawns.
Give us a lamp to light the way Unto the land of perfect
day.
O Beautiful star of Bethlehem, shine on. |
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
Chauntecleere |
|
| |
Boosey & Hawkes M051478231 |
|
| |
|
|
| |
Voicing: 2-part treble
chorus with piano, tambourine and finger cymbals |
|
| |
Text: William Austin (1587-1634) |
|
| |
Duration: c.2’20” |
|
| |
|
|
| |
Click here for all music samples or help. |
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
A robust and rhythmically
energetic setting which features an angular melody, open
harmonies and an active accompaniment. The text cries
out: |
|
| |
|
|
| |
“All this
Night, shrill Chauntecleere
(Days proclaiming Trumpeter)
Claps his wings, and lowdly Cryes,
(Mortals, Mortals) wake and rise.
See a wonder Heaven is under,
From the Earth, is risen a Sunne,
Shines all Night, though Day be done. |
|
| |
|
|
| |
Wake (oh Earth), wake
(everything)!
Wake, and heare the joy, I bring.
Wake, and joy; for, all this Night,
Heaven, and every twinckling Light…
Angels, Powers, and all that bee,
Wake; and joy, this Sunne to See.” |
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
Christmastide |
|
| |
Boosey & Hawkes M051471676
(2000) |
|
| |
|
|
| |
Voicing: 2-part treble
chorus with piano |
|
| |
Text: Janet Lewis |
|
| |
Duration: c. 3' |
|
| |
|
|
| |
Click here for all music samples or help. |
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
The focus of this poetic
text is on the mother, and the special feelings of mothers
worldwide. It is a simple lullaby, but with a profound
sense of awe. |
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
Down in Yon Forest |
|
| |
Shawnee Press A-1707
(1983) (P.O.P.) |
|
| |
|
|
| |
Voicing: SATB chorus a
cappella |
|
| |
Text: Traditional English
Carol |
|
| |
Duration: c. 2'15' |
|
| |
Recording: University
of Illinois Graduate Choral,
Harold Decker, conductor. |
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
The Friendly Beasts |
|
| |
Mark Foster Music Y50507
(2001) |
|
| |
|
|
| |
Voicing: SSA chorus with
piano |
|
| |
Text: Traditional carol |
|
| |
Duration: c. 1'54' |
|
| |
First Performance:
12 December 1998, Orlando, Florida. Orlando Children's
Chorus, Carolyn Minear, conductor. |
|
| |
|
|
| |
Click
here for all music samples or help. |
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
This arrangement uses a
rhythmically interesting calypso feel to bring a fresh
perspective to this familiar carol tune and charming text.
Appropriate for treble voices of many ages. The piano
accompaniment is supportive of the voices. Uses optional
Latin percussion. |
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
In the Bleak Midwinter |
|
| |
Boosey & Hawkes (TBA) |
|
| |
|
|
| |
Voicing: SATB chorus with
piano or guitar |
|
| |
Text: Christina Rossetti |
|
| |
Duration: c. 3' |
|
| |
First Performance:
Sarasota, Florida, Gloria Musicae,
David L. Brunner, conductor |
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
This familiar carol, with
its less familiar tune, consists of three verses of increasing
complexity, for mixed chorus with guitar or piano. The
interest lies in the harmonic treatment of each verse
and the independence of the delicate accompaniment --
a constant filigree on notes of the supporting harmony.
It is a gentle and expressive setting of a well-known
Christmas carol, appropriate in range and difficulty,
for both high school and church choirs. |
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
Never a Child as He |
|
| |
Boosey & Hawkes M051468386
(1997) |
|
| |
|
|
| |
Voicing: unison voices
with piano |
|
| |
Text: James Niblock |
|
| |
Duration: 1'50' |
|
| |
First Performance:
December 1991, Sarasota Florida. Gloria Musicae Young
People's Choir, David Brunner, conductor. |
|
| |
|
|
| |
Click
here for all music samples or help. |
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
Never a Child as He is
an arrangement for unison voices over a gently undulating
piano accompaniment. Each verse of the modal melody is
set over a differing accompanying texture. The innocence
of the text coupled with the simple, folk-like character
of the melody results in a charming lullaby, appropriate
for children or adult voices in unison. |
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
O Little Town of Bethlehem |
|
| |
Boosey & Hawkes M051472055
(2001) |
|
| |
For my dear niece,
Kendal, her mother and grandmother, with love at Christmas |
|
| |
|
|
| |
Voicing: 2-part chorus
with piano |
|
| |
Text: Phillip Brooks (1868) |
|
| |
Duration: c. 3'50' |
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
What a beautiful melody!
The traditional text is enhanced by flowing melodic lines,
warm harmonies, and a gently rhythmic accompaniment that
aptly depicts the glow and tenderness of Christmas. |
|
| |
J. W.
Pepper & Son, Inc. |
|
| |
|
|
| |
An expansive and charming
new melody, unfolding through a series of modulations,
brings these familiar words to life. This is sure to be
a new Christmas favorite! |
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
On Christmas Morn |
|
| |
Boosey & Hawkes M051469673
(1998) |
|
| |
For the Children's
Aid Society Chorus of New York City, Francisco J. Nunez,
director |
|
| |
|
|
| |
Voicing: unison voices
with piano |
|
| |
Text: Ruth Sawyer (adapted
from an old Spanish carol) |
|
| |
Duration: c. 3' |
|
| |
First Performance:
19 December 1996, St. Patrick's Cathedral, New York City.
Francisco Nuéz, conductor. |
|
| |
|
|
| |
Click
here for all music samples or help. |
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
The words of this old Spanish
carol tell of the scene around the manger in Bethlehem,
an assembly of gentle creatures and many children of all
backgrounds. An expressive and especially lovely new Christmas
carol. |
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
Sir Christemas |
|
| |
Boosey & Hawkes 979-0-051-47846-0
(Full score and parts 979-0-051-10546-5) |
|
| |
Commissioned by the Children's Chorus of Washington, Joan Gregoryk, Founder and Artistic Director |
|
| |
|
|
| |
Voicing: SSA/SSA choirs, organ, trumpet I and II, horn, trombone, tuba, timpani, triangle and orchestral bells |
|
| |
Text: Anonymous c. 1500 |
|
| |
Duration: c. 3'51" |
|
| |
First Performance: December 15-16, 2007 by the Children's Chorus of Washington, Joan Gregoryk, conductor |
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
Our Holiday Concert traditionally includes organ, brass quintet and percussion, and for the 2007 concert we wanted to feature a new work that combined those forces with two or more of the four CCW ensembles. David chose the poem Sir Christemas and wrote a celebratory and joyful piece with resounding bells, organ and brass interludes, and sections for unison, two and three part chorus. It begins with a triumphant "Nowell" and ends with a spirited "Welcome" sung by the tutti choruses. The more contemplative middle section featured the youngest singers proclaiming in the purity of their unison voices: "Christ in now born of a pure maid; in an ox-stall he is laid." David has written a stirring piece that will become a standard in the repertoire for treble voices and brass quintet. |
|
| |
Joan Gregoryk
Founder and Artistic Director
Children's Chorus of Washington |
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
The Shepherd's Carol |
|
| |
Boosey & Hawkes M051476671 |
|
| |
|
|
| |
Voicing: unison with piano |
|
| |
Text: Anonymous |
|
| |
Duration: c. 3' |
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
The sentiment of this anonymous
text is one of simple wonderment. This night was different
than others: the stillness of the air, a lovely silence,
the brightness of the star, a voice from the sky. Respect
for the Lady is brought by hardworking shepherds, who
offer themselves in homage to her son. |
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
Still, Still, Still |
|
| |
Boosey & Hawkes M051467570
(1995) |
|
| |
|
|
| |
Voicing: SATB chorus with
piano |
|
| |
Text: Traditional Austrian
carol |
|
| |
Duration: c. 3' |
|
| |
First Performance:
December 1992, Sarasota, Florida,
David Brunner, conductor. |
|
| |
|
|
| |
Click
here for all music samples or help. |
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
The piano accompaniment
provides a colorful harmonic underlay and feeling of momentum
in this sensitive setting of the familiar Austrian carol.
The rich, four-part choral texture is especially noticeable
in a highly effective a cappella section. |
|
| |
J. W.Pepper
& Son, Inc. |
|
| |
|
|
| |
Welcome All Wonders |
|
| |
Boosey & Hawkes M051477159 |
|
| |
|
|
| |
Voicing: 2-part treble
chorus with piano |
|
| |
Text: Thomas Traherne (1637-1674) |
|
| |
Duration: c.2’20” |
|
| |
|
|
| |
Click here for all music samples or help. |
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
This is a particularly
beautiful text which immediately captured my attention
and imagination. It’s but one short verse of text,
set simply, with a lyrical grace and expressive melody.
Truly, one of my favorites. |
|
| |
|
|
| |
Welcome all wonders
in one sight. Eternity shut in a span.
Summer in winter, day in night; Heav’n in earth
and God in man.
Great little one, whose all embracing birth
Lifts earth to heav’n, stoops heav’n to earth. |
|
| |
|
|
| |
