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CJ Replay: Masters in Miniature

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March CJ

The March 2015 issue of Choral Journal features a cover article written by coauthors David Rayl and Zebulon Highben titled “Masters in Miniature: Repertoire by Great Composers for Smaller Choirs.” In this article, the authors suggest that “almost every great composer has written at least one piece that is achievable by choirs with fewer singers and limited resources but is still well crafted, worthy of performance, and typical of its genre and style period.”

This article highlights some of these little-known works by well-known composers, which are categorized into the following subheadings: Renaissance, Baroque, and Classical and Romantic. There is also a section on adapting repertoire for solo voice and comments on performance and programming. A full list of repertoire discussed appears below, and you can read the full article or download and print the PDF here. (Note: You must be an ACDA member logged into acda.org to view the Choral Journal online.)

Can you think of any pieces missing from this list that are little-known works by well-known composers?

Feel free to share your thoughts here on ChoralNet in the comment section or even send in a “Letter to the Editor” for publication in an upcoming issue of Choral Journal. I would love to hear from you!  Better still, perhaps you should write an article or column in the Choral Journal. You can contact me at .

Choral Journal writing guidelines can be viewed by clicking here.

ComposerTitleScoringRecommended Edition (see article endnotes for complete citation)
Billings, WilliamWake Every BreathcanonCPDL
Billings, WilliamWhen Jesus WeptcanonCPDL
Blow, JohnSing, Sing, Ye MusesSATB, 2 violins, continuoWalton Music
Buxtehude, DietrichLord, Keep Us Steadfast in Thy Word (Erhalt uns, Herr)SATB, 2 violins, continuoConcordia Publishing
Buxtehude, DietrichIn dulci jubiloSAB, 2 violins, continuoIMSLP
Crüger, JohannAwake, My Heart with Gladness (Auf, Auf, mein Herz)SATB, 2 C insts, continuoAugsburg Fortress
De Sermisy, ClaudinTant que vivraySATBNational Music Publishers
Dowland, JohnCome again, sweet love
doth now invite		variousCPDL
Dufay,  GuillaumeConditor alme siderumATBCPDL
Dufay, GuillaumeKyrie Orbis FactorATBGIA Publications
Farrant, RichardCall to RemembranceSATBOxford Univ. Press
Hassler, Hans LeoDixit MariaSATBCPDL
Hassler, Hans LeoMissa super Dixit MariaSATBIMSLP
Haydn, JosephMissa brevis Sancti Joannis de DeoSATB, 2 violins, cello/bass, organVarious (see endnote 25)
Haydn, JosephSix Psalm Settings3-part, keyboard (opt)Various (see endnote 27)
Isaac, HeinrichInnsbruck, ich muss dich lassenSATBCPDL
Leisring, VolckmarO Filii et FiliaeSATB double choirAlliance Music
Mendelssohn, FelixDie NachtigallSATBHinshaw Music
Mendelssohn, FelixVerleih’ uns FriedenSATB, organE. C. Schirmer

 

Morley, ThomasSound Forth the Trumpet in ZionSABGIA Publications
Mozart, Wolfgang A.Kyrie, K. 33SATB, continuoBärenreiter Verlag
Mozart, Wolfgang A.God Is Our RefugeSATBAugsburg Fortress
Obrecht, JacobParce, DomineSABGIA Publications
Praetorius, MichaelEn natus est EmanuelSATBAugsburg Fortress
Praetorius, MichaelPsalliteSATBAugsburg Fortress
Puccini, GiacomoRequiemSTB, viola, organCPDL
Scheidt, SamuelRemember, Lord (Gedenke, Herr)SAB, continuoGIA Publications
Schein, Johann HermannChrist lag in TodesbandenSAB, continuoTetra/Continuo
Schein, Johann HermannEight Chorale Settings from Opella Nova (Part I)2-part treble, continuoConcordia Publishing
Schubert, FranzMass in C MajorSATB, orchestraCarus Verlag
Schubert, FranzMass in G MajorSATB, orchestraCarus Verlag
Schubert, FranzAntiphonen zum PalmsonntagSATBAugsburg Fortress
Schütz, HeinrichBecker PsalterSATB, continuo (opt)Augsburg Fortress (see endnote 19)
Tallis, ThomasIf Ye Love MeSATBOxford Univ. Press
Vulpius, MelchiorArisen Is Our Blessed Lord (Erstanden ist der heilig Christ)SATB double choirAugsburg Fortress

CJ Replay: Focus on Children and Community Youth

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March

The March 2016 issue of Choral Journal was a Focus on Children and Community Youth, guest edited by Robyn Lana. This issue contains the following feature articles and is available to ACDA members to read and download here.

On Our Way: Programming a Martin Luther King Jr. Concert for Youth Choir by Anthony Trecek-King

There are many resources available to serve as starting points for planning a program for youth choir that centers on civil rights and social justice. This article describes some of those resources and provides and overview of the music contained within.

From Kindergarten to College: Understanding Young Voices and Keeping Them Healthy by Wendy LeBorgne

“As choral directors, voice pedagogues, and conductors, it [is] imperative to understand the key physiological developmental markers associated with the vocal instrument and its impact on vocal output at various stages of life. Providing accurate information to impressionable singers will help these singers maintain healthy vocal habits throughout their lifetime.”

Creativity and Artistry in the Children’s Choir Rehearsal by Karen Bruno

This article discusses the meaning of creativity and choral artistry as it pertains to work with children’s and youth choirs. Topics include identifying quality repertoire, engaging singers, characteristics of quality music, and our responsibility as teachers and conductors.

The Better C: Building Community through Collaboration by Roberta Jackson and Debra Burgess

“Building community within a choir can be challenging, especially when working with singers from diverse backgrounds, with different values, and from different schools. In this article we will explore the use of collaboration both as an overarching philosophy and a daily practice within an organization.”

Read this issue online or download the PDF here.

Notes for Success: How Do I Establish a Grading Strategy?

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may 2015

In May, August, and September 2015, the Choral Journal featured a three-part article series titled “Notes for Success: Advice for the First-Year Choral Teacher.” As part of the series, 11 choral conductors with teaching experience ranging from 4 to 34 years answered 10 questions related to setting expectations for your first year, classroom management, balancing a successful work and home life, finding repertoire, and more.

In this column, I would like to address question #6: How do I best establish a grading strategy?

As classes dismiss for the summer, there are no doubt some choral educators who have not had as much success as they would like in establishing a working grading system over the past school year. A portion of the suggestions listed in the August 2015 issue regarding this question follow. Please feel free to leave a comment below with a grading strategy that has worked for you (or perhaps one that hasn’t!) so that we can continue to learn from one another.

“Prior to the school starting, sit down with a calendar and make an assessment plan. First, create a rubric for daily or weekly rehearsal technique. Behaviors include tall choral posture while singing, refraining from talking during transitions, use of appropriate vowel shapes, positive attitude, and using solfege or number hand signs.”

“I keep a daily record of points. Each student begins with ten points. Participation, attitude, etc., can affect the number of points a student earns by the end of the day. At the end of the week, I report the total points in the gradebook. Eighth grade seeing percentages on their reports, while the sixth and seventh grades receive a grade for “Respect” and “Responsibility” in the form of an M (meets expectations), P (partially meets expectations), or N (needs improvement).”

“I think grading things like matching pitch and tone production are perfectly acceptable, even with my young singers (ten- and eleven-year-olds). They key is giving positive feedback that helps them improve…. In pitch-matching assignments, I ask the choir to listen to a student sing and not judge on the basis of how well he or she sang but on whether or not the student improved.”

Click here to read the full article that contains the rest of these answers in Part 2 of this series.

Click here to read Part 1. Click for Part 3.  (Must be logged in to acda.org as a member)

CJ Replay: Focus on Composition

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August2014thumb

The August 2014 issue of Choral Journal was a Focus on Composition, guest edited by David Conte. This issue contains the following feature articles and is available to ACDA members to read and download here.

Toward a Choral Pedagogy for Composers by David Conte, Robert Kyr, and Steven Sametz

“Three composer/teachers who direct sustained programs connected to conservatories or universities where young composers have the opportunity to compose choral pieces were asked to share their experiences and points of view about the issues contained within the following sixteen questions. You will find here many practical suggestions and more philosophical and aesthetic musings on these important topics.”

Writing for the Amateur Chorus: A Chance and a Challenge by Randall Thompson

This article was originally published in American Choral Review, not published by Chorus America. “In the following lecture, first penned in 1959 and later revised in 1980, Thompson’s advice to young composers, his strong feelings about the choral arts and its practice, and his ruminations on beauty and appropriateness combine to form a strong statement from this preeminent American choral composer.”

Conrad Susa: Composer, Teacher, Friend compiled by David Conte

“Conrad Susa, who died on November 21, 2013, is well known to American choral conductors for his Carols and Lullabies and other Christmas music. His death can now put into perspective his large choral catalogue, much of while deserves to be better know. What follows below are five eulogies given by musical friends at [Susa’s] memorial concert—Vance George, Vince Peterson, Elinor Armer, and David Conte. To these five is added a sixth from Philip Brunelle.”

Read this issue online or download the PDF here.

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