Latest Blog Posts
“Five from the Folder: Mixed Voices” by Reed Criddle
FIVE FROM THE FOLDER: MIXED VOICES by Reed Criddle 1. "Agnus Dei." Samuel Barber. SATB. Schirmer HL.50313910 Adaptation of "Adagio for Strings" (which was adapted from his String Quartet, Op. 11), a cappella, need low basses, thick texture, stunning. 2. "Rejoice in the Lamb." Benjamin Britten. SATB with soloists. HL.48008987 Quirky, multi-movement, poetry […]
“Five from the Folder: MS/JH Treble Choirs” by Nathan Dame
FIVE FROM THE FOLDER: MS/JHS TREBLE CHOIRS by Nathan Dame 1. “Stars, Songs, Faces (No. 3 from a Sandberg Set).” Nick Page. Boosey & Hawkes/Hal Leonard HL48019128 2-part equal divisi and piano. Call and response melodies combine with lush dissonances to create a great piece for working unified tone. 2. “Metsa Telegramm.” Uno […]
“Five from the Folder: Mixed Choir” by Deanna Joseph
FIVE FROM THE FOLDER: MIXED CHOIR by Deanna Joseph 1. “Seek Him That Maketh The Seven Stars.” Jonathan Dove. Faber Music Stunning orchestration for both choir and organ. Combination of rhythmic intensity and interesting repeated harmonies. 2. “Three Sacred Hymns.” Alfred Schnittke. Edition Sikorski 852 Three short a cappella prayers published as one […]
Speaking of Voice: “Anatomy and Vocal Aging” by Robert T. Sataloff
(Excerpted from the Choral Journal article, “Vocal Aging and its Medical Implications: What Choral Conductors Should Know. Part One: Anatomy and Vocal Aging, Childhood through Adulthood,” by Robert T. Sataloff) Like death and taxes, most people have considered aging changes in the voice inevitable. Indeed, as we get older, there are certainly fundamental […]
“Five from the Folder: Men’s Voices” by Joseph Piazza
FIVE FROM THE FOLDER: MEN’S VOICES by Joseph Piazza 1. “Jubilate Deo” from Cantiones sacrae et profanae. Henk Badings. TTBB. Harmonia-Uitgave, Hilversum H.U. 3419a. Rhythmic, energetic setting of Psalm 66. Contrasting homophonic & contrapuntal sections employing stacked 4ths and 2nds. Imitative cannons at the fifth especially playful & succinct. Contemporary & joyful. Moderate difficulty. […]
GUEST BLOG: “Why We Might Want to Perform Good Music” by Jameson Marvin
WHY WE MIGHT WANT TO PERFORM GOOD MUSIC, by Jameson Marvin The central thesis of this brief discussion is: perform music of good quality. Music of distinction, performed well, is an experience of lasting value. In contrast, performing "trendy," easy-access, instantly effective music is, by nature, an ephemeral pleasure, a temporary titillation. The […]