News and Notices

2022 Edwin Fissinger Choral Composition Prizes
NDSU Challey School of Music honors the legacy and traditions of noted choral composer and long-time NDSU choral conductor Edwin Fissinger with its annual choral composition competition.

Guidelines
Entries should be:
• for mixed choir (SATB), divisi is acceptable
• unaccompanied, or with keyboard accompaniment, obbligato instruments ok
• three to eight minutes in duration
• original and unpublished (by an established commercial firm) works only.
• The text may be sacred or secular, either in the public domain or copyrighted, as long as a letter of permission from the copyright owner is included with the submission
• suitable for an accomplished high school or university choir

Prizes / Performance
• First: $1,500
• Second: $1,000
• NDSU reserves the right to not award prizes in any given year.
• The composer of the first prize work is invited to be present at the NDSU Concert Choir performance.
• For the performance, NDSU will reimburse actual travel, lodging and food expenses, up to a maximum of $1,000.
• Winners will be announced on https://www.ndsu.edu/performingarts/music/ by November 1, 2022.
• The first prize winner’s piece, with the approval of the composer, will have their composition considered for publication in Pavane Publishing for placement in the Jo Ann Miller Choral Series.

Judging Panel
• Jo Ann Miller, Director of Choral Activities, NDSU
• Michael Weber, Associate Director of Choral Activities, NDSU
• Charlette Moe, Assistant Director of Choral Activities and Music Education, NDSU
• Jocelyn Hagen, Composer, Adjunct composition faculty, NDSU
• Allan Petker, Pavane Publishing
• Submission Guidelines
• There is a $25 submission fee for each work submitted.
• Include name, address, phone number(s), and email address when making payment via NDSU Store Front or if paying by check, in a sealed envelope accompanying the score.
• https://northdakotastate-ndus.nbsstore.net/fissinger-choral-competition-payment
• Submitted scores must be in Finale or Sibelius.
• An audio file is strongly recommended.
• All scores selected for performance will be reproduced by NDSU.
• Submissions must be submitted via email by 11:59 PM on September 1, 2022.
• Email PDF submissions and audio files to:
• If not submitting a PDF, mail submissions to:
Dr. Jo Ann Miller, NDSU Challey School of Music, Dept 2334, PO Box 6050, Fargo, ND 58108-6050 with a postmark of September 1, 2022.

July 2, 2022 7:30 PM
Join us in person or via livestream for “God & Country”, a concert with Gloriæ Dei Cantores at the Church of the Transfiguration in Orleans featuring works by Copland, Thompson, Sowerby, Adler, and Ives. Celebrate the sacred sounds of America with music that has lofted through rafters across the country since its founding, and continues to bring comfort and strength to its people today.

Tickets and Information: 508-240-2400 or gdcchoir.org

Gloriæ Dei Cantores (Singers to the Glory of God) holds a passionate dedication to illuminate truth and beauty through choral artistry, celebrating a rich tradition of Sacred choral music from Gregorian chant through the twenty-first century.

The Amateur Music Network is in search of choristers willing to join a hybrid (online and in-person) amateur chorus in a Juneteenth celebration featuring the new choral work by Roland Carter, “Make Some Noise, Get in Trouble” and conducted by Dr. Candace Y. Johnson. The workshop is filling out online, but AMN is in need of some in-person “anchor” performers to help fill out the performance. For information and to register your interest, please email .

Rehearsal is at 12:30pm Pacific on June 19, and the performance is at 2pm Pacific at the Drew School (2901 California Street, San Francisco).

Roland Carter’s “Make Some Noise, Get in Trouble” is a new choral work inspired by civil rights leader and Congressman John Lewis. More information at https://amateurmusic.org/info/workshop/juneteenth-2022/

By Shekela Wanyama for Graphite Publishing

Working with middle-level choirs is a bit like “Goldilocks and the Three Bears,” only we’re looking for music that is not too challenging and not too simple. We used to have to wade through pages and pages of music to find something that was just right. Fortunately, this is changing. New compositions are released each year that meet the unique vocal needs of young singers without sacrificing artistic and pedagogical integrity.

For two-part treble choir, “Cantate Domino” by Jesús López Moreno is an energetic and delightful selection. The straightforward melodies and call-and-response writing would be a good fit for upper elementary treble singers.

For the treble choir eager for something more challenging, “I Wandered, Lonely as a Cloud (Daffodils),” by Linda Tutas Haugen, is written for S(S) A choir. The piece includes mixed meters, a piano part that is supportive but not always doubling, beautiful phrases for developing treble voices, and an opportunity for solo flute. The text, written by William Wordsworth, is rich with imagery, emotion, and learning opportunities that will delight English teachers as well as choir directors.

If you’re looking ahead to next year’s holiday season, consider “Xicochi,” a lullaby for Christmas. Written in the indigenous Mexican language of Nahuatl, this piece for SA, SSA, or SATB choirs will be particularly effective with the addition of a guitar or other string instrument, as well as piano. “Hush, little beloved child,” the text says, “Behold, there are angels here to rock you to sleep.”

Mexican composer Jesús Echevarría delights with “Muchas Gracias,” a cheerful song reminding us to offer “Many thanks” and to say “you’re welcome.” Written in Spanish and inspired by mariachi music, this song can be used in concert or as a greeting or transition song. Three clear melodies are sung first in unison, then combined into a three-part texture. Piano and clarinet accompaniment are included, but the piece can also be performed with just piano.

“Stardust” by B.E. Boykin is a wonderful piece for developing treble choir that features a compelling piano part. The text, written by Brittny Ray Crowell, is a prayer for those who have been lost too soon to violence, including George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, and Breonna Taylor. Clear harmonies and vocal writing suited to middle-level treble voices (and easily adapted for emerging tenor bass voices), along with a refrain evoking the Gullah folklore of the Flying Africans, make this an ideal piece for middle-level choirs seeking music of our time.

Jocelyn Hagen’s “I Started Out Singing” was originally written for SSA choir, but exists in an SAB arrangement as well. This piece is particularly suitable for the middle-level choir with strong treble and emerging tenor/bass voices. The text celebrates singing and features a sparkling piano part that “sings” independently of and just as much as the choir. Naomi Shihab Nye’s text is full of vibrant and youthful images that will appeal to singers’ imaginations.

Conductor, educator, and composer Tracy Wong understands young voices, and this is evident in her energetic, fast-paced new piece, “Jam! (Jom-Ayuh-Mari!)” Like many of Wong’s other compositions, this piece includes body percussion. Unison melodic lines gradually build to independent and busier textures. Choirs will enjoy this fun challenge as much as audiences will enjoy watching and hearing it!

“Afka Hooyo (Mother Tongue)” is the second of Timothy C. Takach’s compositions in Somali, a language widely spoken in Minnesota. The score includes phonetic pronunciation guides written beneath the text. With engaging rhythm and harmonies, this piece is suitable for younger SATB ensembles comfortable singing unaccompanied. The text, written by revered Somali poet Mohamed Ibrahim Warsame (Hadrawi), celebrates the ability of language—a Mother Tongue— to unite people and preserve culture.

For the beginning (and not-so-beginning) SATB choir, Melanie DeMore’s “Blessed Be!” is a joyful and peaceful tune. It can be easily adapted for other voicings and would be a great audience sing-along. DeMore’s music always “grooves,” and happy is the choir that learns to find and feel it! This unaccompanied piece includes simple body percussion, and the four melodic phrases are easily taught by rote or as a sight-singing exercise. This heartwarming piece, along with those mentioned above, will stay with your singers for years to come.

Shekela Wanyama is a DMA student in conducting at the University of Minnesota. She is a music educator at heart, having taught middle and high school choir for over a decade. Passionate about bringing people together through engaging and powerful singing experiences, Wanyama has worked with church, collegiate, and children’s honor choirs. She currently serves as Associate Conductor for VocalPoint, sings projects with Border CrosSing and the Minnesota Chorale, and is repertoire and resources chair for World Musics and Cultures for ACDA Minnesota.

EASIER MIDDLE SCHOOL FAVORITES

“Lovely Appear” — David von Kampen — SA, piano

“A Red, Red (Noun)” — Timothy C. Takach — TB, piano

“Bersatu Senada (Together with One Voice)” — Tracy Wong — SATB, piano

“America, the Beautiful” — arr. J. David Moore — Unison, piano

“Blessing” — Joan Szymko — flexible voicing, piano

“Coventry Carol” — arr. Michael Weber — SAB, piano

“La barco de oro” — Abundio Martínez, — arr. Ahmed Anzaldúa SATB, piano

“One Step” — Jocelyn Hagen — SATB or SSAA, piano, body percussion

“Adonai, Adonai” — Carol Barnett — flexible voicing

“Bahihii Waaliidkay Dhaqay” — Timothy C. Takach — SA, piano, drum, body percussion

I found this review of one of my Spanish carol arrangements.

The Spanish folk tradition is a rich source of melodic and rhythmic expression. This energetic arrangement for mixed chorus with piano is successful in Spanish or English (Eager Shepherds On Their way). Try it on your holiday choral concert along with HMC2174 and HMC1274. The exceptional accompaniment will highlight your fine pianist.

Los Pastores A Belen (Eager Shepherds On Their Way Arranged by Tom Cunningham. For SATB. Published by Hinshaw Music Inc. (Catalog # 08764557, UPC: 728215042218)

You can see the score and hear a performance by following the link: https://www.stantons.com/sheet-music/title/los-pastores-a-belen-eager-shepherds-on/08764557/

Opera Maine is seeking Mezzos/Altos and Baritones/Basses to join us for the upcoming production of Wagner’s Flying Dutchman. Please contact the Chorus Master – Nicolás Alberto Dosman for more details at .

Richard Wagner’s The Flying Dutchman
July 27 & 29, 2022
Merrill Auditorium

The cursed captain of a ghostly ship comes ashore every seven years in search of faithful love that will set him free. In Opera Maine’s production of this famous legend, the violent storm brings the Dutchman to the coast of Maine. Here he finds Senta, a woman who has been obsessed with his plight and longs to save him. Wagner’s powerful music evokes the sea and conveys the intense emotions at the core of this supernatural drama.

Maestro Israel Gurksy conducts the Opera Maine Orchestra, and Dona D. Vaughn directs a talented cast.
Sung in German with English supertitles.
Opera in two acts, two and one-half hours, one intermission.