Dear List:

Thanks so much for the many responses and suggestions! Here's the list of
responses I have received regarding what composers to feature on an all
American 20th century program.

Jeff Seaward
College of the Sequoias,
Visalia, CA
jsseaward(a)earthlink.net

I would have to include works by Randall Thompson and Aaron Copeland,
without question. And, quite possibly Howard Hanson's "Song of Democracy."

Randall Thompson would be on my list for sure, particularly since you're
performing with choirs.

Aaron Copland, Duke Ellington, Richard Rodgers, George Gershwin

Arron Copland's setting of the Creation

I think I would definitely have to include Randall Thompson and Aaron
Copland. Probably some Gershwin, too.

As a composer, I would be remiss if I did'nt include myself!
Robert Jordahl

I am programming a similar concert and using Barber's "Agnus Dei" and
Bernstein's "Chichester Psalms" as the centerpieces. I would certainly rank
Thompson's "Frostiana" or "Alleluia," and Pinkham's "Wedding Cantata" among
my favorites.

I would consider including works by Barber, Ives, Copland, William Schuman,
possibly some Parker/Shaw arrangements, and Philip Glass.

Rene Clausen's "All That Hath Life and Breath" and "A Jubilant Song" have
worked well in the past with dedicated groups and they are always
show-stoppers.

Aaron Copland and Leonard Bernstein

Off the top of my head, I would consider works by Aaron Copland, Libby
Larson, Carlisle Floyd, Randall Thompson, Ned Rorem, Houston Bright, Leonard
Berstein, Irving Fine, Samuel Barber, John Jacob Niles, Charles Ives, Emma
Lou Diemer, Michael Hennigan, etc.

Music by Randall Thompson, Bernstein, Copeland, Spirituals by Dawson,
Hall, or Hairston as well as now Hogan and Thomas, Charles Ives,
William Schumann.

also Gershwin

Choral selections from PORGY AND BESS by George Gershwin.

Barber - Reincarnations
Persichetti - various works. for various forces.
Ives
William Schumann
Libby Larson - pretty sure she is american
Morton Lauridsen

Samuel Barber
Aaron Copland

James Mullholland, Copland, Barber, Wilberg arrangements, some of the
Shaw/Parker works are wonderful...that is just a start.

I believe that at least several works of Randall Thompson must be
included: "Alleluia," "The Last Words of David," and perhaps his
setting of Robert Frost's poem "The Road Less Taken."

Randall Thompson's "The Peaceable Kingdom"... If only one movement, "Ye
Shall Have a Song."
for SSAATTBB

F. Melius Christiansen's arrangement of "Beautiful Savior" for SSAATTBB and
Alto solo

William Dawson's "There Is a Balm in Gilead" for Soprano solo and SATB

Daniel Pinkham's "Christmas Cantata" (with brass)

Samuel Barber's "Agnus Dei" with high soprano solo as he arranged it from
the "Adagio" of his String Quartet.

Barber, Copland, Gershwin, Cole Porter, Ned Rorem, Leonard Bernstein,
Charles Ives, Randall Thompson

I vote for The Promise of Living (Aaron Copland).

Another good one is Americana Folk Song Suite (arr. Luigi Zaninelli). I
don't know if Zaninelli is American, but the songs definitely are.

Copland.
Mechem
Lauridsen
Strimple (OK, I'm biased, having sung for him for years, but he has some
great sacred music)
Halsey Stevens
Pinkham and wouldn't do any Stravinsky. So there!

Copland: In the Beginning, Barber: Prayers of Kirkkegaard, Bernstein:
Chichester Psalms, for starters. Good luck,