To Everything there is a Season

Leaf through these Lovelies

Sometimes, the oldest wisdom is the best. “For everything there is a season…a time to plant, and a time to harvest…a time to weep, and a time to laugh…a time to seek, and a time to lose.” As we move from autumn into winter we also move to more indoor activities. We could write our own proverbs: “a time to BBQ, and a time to bake gingerbread cookies; a time for holiday concerts, and a time for studying Graphite’s catalog for the next concert.”

Seasons imply change and transition—journeys.  In this newsletter, we are going to explore a body of repertoire relating to these themes.

Cantos de Primavera (Songs of Spring)

Diana Syrse Valdés
SATB a cappella
Difficulty: 3
A festive piece, dance-able, and of light character. It presents sounds of the jungle and various birds encouraging singers to play with various vocal sounds to emulate nature.

Now Breaks the Glowing Light

Paul John Rudoi
SATB Choir, Trumpet, & Piano
Difficulty: 3
A secular winter work that sets a scene of cold leading to warmth following David Sidwell’s beautiful poetry.

Oracle of Spring

Mari Esabel Valverde
SATB a cappella
Difficulty: 4
Madrigal-like in style, this short, up-tempo work features unusual yet colorful harmonies and would be fitting for seasonal literature depicting springtime.

A Calendar of Light

Dale Trumbore
SATB Chorus, Mezzo-Soprano & Audience
Difficulty: 4
A 75-minute a cappella for chorus & audience, A Calendar of Light takes the shape of a calendar, exploring our relationship to change—and climate change—through the shifting seasons.

Omittamus studia

Timothy Hoekman
SATB Chorus & Piano
Difficulty: 3
A lively student romp of the carpe diem type. Hoekman’s setting of these words combines jazzy rhythms with florid vocal writing, resulting in a highly entertaining piece.

The Journey

Joan Szymko
SATB Chorus & Piano
Difficulty: 3
Evokes the emotions of any great life passage; with all that is left behind and all that is new.

Un Jardín (2-part treble & bass)

Julio Morales
2-part Treble Voices, Piano & Double Bass; Also a Piano-only option
Difficulty: 1
A sweet, innocent piece, evoking a child-like wonder at a beautiful garden.

Standing Tall (SAB)

Ellen Gilson Voth
SAB Choir & Piano; Also for SATB, SA, & SSAA
Difficulty: 2
Tomorrow is always a new and different day.

A Season of Sensations (medium voice)

Martha Hill Duncan
Medium Voice & Piano; Also for High Voice
Difficulty: 3
Experience the 5 senses in dreams.

Shop Music