Walter Gould and Robert Lawson Shaw established the Lawson-Gould choral catalog in 1953, first publishing the music of Alice Parker and Robert Shaw, consisting primarily of public domain hymn, carol, and folk song arrangements. In 2005, Alfred Music acquired the print rights to this catalog. To open our ACDA session, we read through two new additions to the catalog, then master composer, conductor, and teacher Alice Parker took the stage.
Ms. Parker explained her arranging process and the working relationship that she and Mr. Shaw enjoyed. She researched the music, sketched out the arrangements, then presented them to Mr. Shaw, who marked changes and suggestions as he heard them. It was a wonderful collaboration, which resulted in many subsequent performances and recordings by the Robert Shaw Chorale. She instructed us to first read the text for its true meaning, reminding us to make those “flat dots” and words on the page come to life. Her energy, expertise, and musical spirit captured us all as she led us in song through several of her favorite Parker-Shaw arrangements, giving us time-tested pointers along the way!
The following publications were included in our music packet (SATB unless noted otherwise):
37909 – There Is Sweet Music Here – Ray
38130 – De Profundis – Robinson
LG00905 – I Will Arise – Parker, Shaw
LG00907 – Wondrous Love – Parker, Shaw
38217 – Saints Bound for Heaven – Parker, Shaw (SSAA)
LG51109 – John Saw duh Numbuh – Parker, Shaw
34779 – Search Me, O God – Priano
37974 – Evening – Gray (SSA)
LG51026 – Vive l’Amour – Parker, Shaw (TTBB)
LG51107 – My God Is a Rock – Parker, Shaw
LG51452 – Johnny, I Hardly Knew Ye – Parker, Shaw
LG51331 – Hark, I Hear the Harps Eternal – Parker, Shaw
Please visit alfred.com for more information on these and other Lawson-Gould publications.
(The ACDA National Conference is just one of the many benefits of membership in the American Choral Directors Association. Join ACDA today.)
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