“Five from the Folder: Mixed Voices (Christmas)” by Christopher Aspaas

FIVE FROM THE FOLDER: MIXED VOICES (Christmas) by Christopher Aspaas

 

1. “Carol of the Advent.” Philip Dietterich. Hope Publishing Company

A lovely SATB and organ setting of the “People Look East.” Buoyant and lilting with a contemplative a cappella middle verse, this is an accessible and exciting setting for almost any choir.

 

2. “Hodie.” Robert Parker. Self Published

A colorful work based on the Sweelinck “Hodie” that is a must for Christmas if you have an orchestra! Exciting ‘movie-music’ moments and exciting instrumental and vocal flourishes make this SATB (some divisi) work a great surprise.

 

3. “African Noel” Andre Thomas. Lawson Gould

Thomas recently took over The FSU Men’s Glee Club and re-arranged this holiday favorite for tenor-bass choir. Captures the same energy and colors of the original. A few measures of six-part divisi so a slightly larger tenor-bass ensemble may be needed.

 

4. “Alleluya Sasa!” Ben Allaway. Santa Barbara Music Press

One-of-a-kind! Written in the style of a Kenyan folksong, this is a vital and rhythmic piece for Christmas. The score looks daunting, but learns very quickly with more advanced ensembles. A great tenor soloist (or two) and good ethnic percussionists (as well as some choralography) make this a future holiday classic.

 

5. “Stay With Us.” Egil Hovland. Augsburg Fortress.

This work by Norwegian composer Egil Hovland is a touching setting for SATB choir an keyboard. A stirring middle section for SSAA is bookended by two sections for the whole ensemble, and it is a beautiful benediction for an evening program.

 

(“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 )