Dear Bethany,

 

You might check out my new textbook, "Becoming a Choral Music Teacher" which has different levels of pieces for middle school and high school choirs.

 

Good luck!

Patrice Madura Ward-Steinman

Bethany -  at the request of a choir director at a Utah high school, I wrote "Father, Grant Us Peace' (SATB a cappella) for her beginning choir.  She reports it was very successful.  Each part enters at unison, then migrate in step-wise motion.  No interval great than a second.  And it's quite lovely.  You can hear the piece at www.musicbyglade.com.  There is a link to Emerson Music Publishers, where you can view the score.

 

Good luck

 

Steve Glade (ASCAP)

Dear Bethany,

 

I'd love to get a copy of your short list to peruse, if you might...

 

Yours,

Dwight

Hi Bethany,

I've just produced the first of two workdiscs for choir leaders that you might enjoy.  Each one has five or six fabulous multi-part songs that can be taught by ear to any choir.  Each song has an "all parts" file, with all the parts mixed in equally, so you get a good sense of how the song should sound, followed by separate tracks with each part (sop, alt, ten, etc.) highlighted above the rest, so you can hear how each part interacts with the rest.  If you want to hear samples, here they are, and if you're interested in ordering the CDs, go to http://oneworldcommunitychoir.com.  Reprintable lyrics sheets and translations come with each volume.

 

LIsten to samples of all the songs from "Betsy's Teaching CDs for Community Choir Leaders: Multi-Part Songs from Around the World:"  All profits from the CDs will go to Care.org.  Enjoy.  Betsy Sansby, www.OneWorldCommunityChoir.com.

Bethany - good luck in finding a long list - I've noticed that composers OR publishers don't have much interest in this neglected group of singers that so many of us teach.  I've found a few things to be pretty successful, depending on the size of the group.  Often times, global music works really well, so that is part of the list I have.

 

Niska Banja by Nick Page, 4-pt treble, but totally workable for SATB or any vocal combination

Bonse Aba, published by Alliance

Tres Cantos Nativos dos Indios Krao by Marcos Leite, earthsongs - SATB w/divisi at beginning, but SUPER-EASY - most of all the parts are literally two notes, but the kids still really like it.   The only challenge is the nonsense language, but it's fun!

Shine on Me, Rollo Dilworth - SAB, basically a three-part partner song that's really accessible, and the Bass part is singable for most high school boys regardless of the range they sing

River in Judea arr. John Leavitt - BEAUTIFUL classic gospel-style deal - SATB parts are accessible, and there's a 3-pt version

Aleleloila arr. Will Schmid - again 3 parts rather than 4; easy layering finnish tune - can add percussion or even body percussion.  My wife, also a choir director, is working on this one and likes it.

Storm is Passing Over - SATB - published by Boosey - awesome gospel style, can be done SSAB because the Tenor part is pretty screamin' high

 

Hi Bethany,

Might I suggest a few of my compositions for your choir?  These all work well for beginning high school choirs and are great "teaching pieces"...

The Blind Man Stood On the Way - SATB a cappella, spiritual (National Music Publishers)

Dance Today With Joy - SATB w/piano and perc, up tempo compound rhythms, neat text/lyrics, memorable (National Music Publishers)

I'll Hear the Trumpet Sound - SATB a cappella spiritual, minor key rhythmic, repetitive (Heritage Music)

Medieval Gloria - 2 part but can be doubled in octaves for an impressive beginning of the year piece, can be a processional as well, a cappella w/hand drum (Belwin/WB/Alfred)

Personent Hodie - based on medieval melody, SATB w/piano, sounds tougher than it really is, good for holidays/Xmas (Lawson-Gould)

 

Best,

Vijay Singh, Composer