New Publications

“Christmas Is Here” is a celebration of Christmas: The activities, the warmth, the friendship.

Choral directors: Interested in performing this? “Christmas Is Here” runs ~1:50 and is fun, warm, and quite easy.

Usage is 100% free for non-commercial use. The score, live performance mp3, rehearsal parts mp3, and a lyric sheet can be reviewed and downloaded from free-scores.com. https://www.free-scores.com/sheetmusic?p=aJxjkRHD0R . No membership of any sort is required.

Thanks,

Barbara and Charlie

Edition Dohr based in Cologne has just published Adrian Connell’s new Dance Missa Brevis for SSA Choir and Piano with optional Bass Guitar and Drums. At just ten minutes long this is an ideal concert opener or could be used within a church service.

Each movement of the Mass uses a different popular dance style and features a: waltz, jazz waltz, bossa nova, habanera and tango. While this mass can be performed with just choir and piano, the option of using an electric bass and drum kit enhances the style of each movement.

This work is ideal for a young choir as it has memorable melodies, unison passages, three part harmony and each section has a feature at some point in the work giving the second sopranos and altos moments of glory rather than just being supporting parts.

For more information, including a programme note and sample page please visit the Edition Dohr website https://www.dohr.de/edition_dohr/einzeltitel/ismn9828.htm

Summary: Choral Music Composition Contest

Deadline: 31 August 2021

Details: Sant Yago University Choir, from Valencia (Spain), is honoured to announce the third edition of its Choral Competition Composition, once again aiming at the creation of new repertoire by national or international composers.
Participation in the competition is open to composers of any nationality and age.
Entry compositions must be original and unpublished, harmonisations and arrangements being excluded. Entries must be written for a regular mixed choir SATB a cappella with a reasonable use of divisi. Compositions must be at a technical level that makes its performance possible by an amateur choir, and will have a maximum duration of 5 minutes.

The theme should be related to “hope”; a positive message that represents the beginning of a new stage and the end of the complicated months we had to live. The text should be written preferably in Valencian, Spanish, Latin or English.

Further information: https://www.corosantyago.org/3-concurso-composici%C3%B3n/Eng

This heartfelt piece of music was born after a trying time in Dr. Larry Nickel’s life. Dr. Nickel writes “I nearly died from viral encephalitis in 1989 but experienced a miraculous recovery after being in a coma for 15 days. I wrote this song shortly afterwards and feel that it is still relevant today – reflecting the desire of my heart”.

Dr. Nickel recently added video to West Coast Mennonite Chamber Choir recording made under the direction of Tony Funk.

This piece is available through Cypress Choral Music Publishing.

HEALING FOR A WOUNDED WORLD

“The Gift of Your Time” sends a message well worth remembering amidst the annual immersion in the flash and frenzy of Christmas.

Choral directors: Interested in performing this? Scored for SATB with piano, “The Gift of Your Time” runs ~2:30. It is an easy and moving piece.

“The Gift of Your Time” is completely free for non-commercial use. The score, live performance mp3, and a lyric sheet can be reviewed and downloaded from free-scores.com. https://www.free-scores.com/sheetmusic?p=ayem8xzKlZ . No membership of any sort is required.

Cypress Choral Music has just published these two new short choral works. Click the links for current Covid-restricted performances by the Canadian DaCapo Chamber Choir.
UNTIL YOU WAKE is a perfect concert ender, a peaceful prayer (text by Christina Rosetti). Sample score, audio, and order information here:

UNTIL YOU WAKE

ONE RUBY_THROATED MOMENT is a call for a new appreciation of the wonder of the world around us, ending with the lines, “if only for one ruby-throated moment you could drink from the chalice of the sun.” The text is by Canadian poet Rae Crossman.
Sample score, audio, and order information here:

ONE RUBY-THROATED MOMENT