“Five from the Folder: Mixed Voices” by Alan Alder

FIVE FROM THE FOLDER: MIXED VOICES by Alan Alder

 

1. “The Gift to Be Simple.” Bob Chilcott. Hal Leonard HL.8758501

Fun treatment to a wonderful tune! Challenges students to sing in divisi, and work on improving intonation when singing repeated pitches and patterns, but can be put together in a short amount of time. The quality and elegance of this selection is really found it its simplicity.

 

2. “Crucifixus.” Antonio Lotti.

A staple piece in the advanced high school, or collegiate choral repertoire. Divisi and the eight-part polyphony challenges singers to become independent musicians. A great deal about part writing and voice leading can be learned from singing this work.

 

3. “Geographical Fugue.” Ernst Toch.  Alfred Publisher 60168

This spoken choral piece, while rather challenging to put together in rehearsal, is well worth the effort! Audiences and singers alike enjoy this “novelty” piece, and is always fun for everyone.

 

4. “Don’t Let the Harvest.’ Richard Shaffer.  Shawnee Press MF2057

A spiritual with a baritone solo feature and rhythmic content that includes carefully planned “off-beat” finger snaps. Singers enjoy the challenge of rehearsing and performing fun syncopated rhythms paired with the snapping. The piece ends with a dramatic crescendo and a sudden last finger snap that is topped off with a “tableau” pose, which give the piece a dramatic end.

 

5.  “Jubilant Song. René Clausen.  Shawnee Press 35011759 

A spectacular setting of Whitman’s text that features mixed meters, aleatoric passages, and a dramatic soprano solo that makes a great opener or closer to any choral concert!

 

(“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 )