“Five from the Folder: From Five Different Folders” by Reginald Unterseher

FIVE FROM THE FOLDER: FROM FIVE DIFFERENT FOLDERS by Reginald Unterseher

 

(NOTE from contributor Reginald Unterseher:  “Here are five from my current five folders, my favorites of the five choruses I am conducting or singing with.”)

 

1. “Kreek’s Notebook” (Krigi vihik). TõnuKõrvits. Mixed chorus with string orchestra. Estonian Music Information Center.

Rich vocal and string writing rooted in traditional Estonian folk hymns, deeply beautiful, not just surface pretty. An instant favorite of performers and audience alike, accessible to good community and university/college ensembles.

 

2. “Invictus.”  Andrew Marshall. TTTBB (also SSATB). Self-published.

The famous poem, set with simplicity, clarity, and deep emotion. High school and above.

 

3. “Codhlaim go Suan.” Michael McGlynn. SATB, S solo, harp, violin. Self-published.

Hauntingly beautiful, easier than it sounds to audiences, layered modal writing, effective use of harp and violin. Irish language—my church choir can do it, your choir can, too! Features the upper voices.

 

4.  “Ubi caritas.” Paul Mealor. SATB divisi unaccompanied.  Novello.

Transcendent, soaring, dense harmonies, lots of divisi. Commissioned for the wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton.

 

5. “Come Away To the Skies: A High Lonesome Mass.” Sharp & Ramsey, SATB chorus, short T and B solos, bluegrass combo (Bass, guitar, banjo, fiddle, mandolin, snare). Self-published.

Incorporating Sacred Harp hymns (Do, Lord, Wondrous Love, more) with the Mass texts and a bluegrass accompaniment. American to the core, instantly connects with audiences, manages to sound both fresh and familiar.  

 

(“Five from the Folder” provides brief, text-length reviews of vocal works currently in the folders of choral directors throughout the United States.  To share five from your folder, contact Scott Dorsey at )