Help???

Date: July 20, 2011

Views: 1577

Hello friends,

I am in need of help in finding music appropriate for a mixed chamber chorus of 16. This is actually my first time programming a concert that will actually be performed (as opposed to assignments for a course.) I absolutely love the process of discovering new music, however I'm just not very good at it yet.

Of the 16 singers, I'd say there are 12 that are strong and independent. Minimal divisi shouldn't be a problem. Piano accompaniment is an option - organ or other instrumentation is not.

Here's a list of the repertoire I've picked so far - from what I have, I'm thinking possible of theming it along the lines of "mourning glory."

Purcell, Miserere Mei

Victoria, Jesu dulcis memoria

Famine Song, arr. Matthew Culloton

<----Perhaps another song of mourning here?

Kedrov, Otche Nash

(Perhaps another setting of a prayer here?)

(Order for this set undecided)

the Blue Bird, Stanford

We Are, Sweet Honey in the Rock

^considering getting rid of one of those two and replacing it with something not fully dominated by a solo line.

possibly Morgengebet, Mendelssohn

Light of the clear blue Morning, arr. Craig Hella Johnson

Any suggestions to fill it out?

A million thanks,

Jake

Marie Grass Amenta on August 23, 2011 9:50am

Hi Jake,

Have been meaning to get back to you---busy summer! Hope you have discovered some interesting things on your own. Here are a few ideas--not specific pieces--to help you fill out your program.

I use SheetMusicPlus or JWPepper websites to get me rolling when I have a "programmer's block". Type in a favorite composer or tile--if you typed in "Miserere Mei" you will get tons of selections--and see what you get, narrowing the field down to "sacred" or "secular" choir. You can also narrow down the voicing and type of accompaniment or even the publisher. This doesn't mean, neccessarily, I buy the music from them--it jump starts my thought processes. You might also try the archieves here on ChoralNet--click on the search button at the top of the page and type in perhaps "mourning" and see what you get.

You are young--there is no reason you should know everything now. Learning repertoire and the "Art of Programming" takes years and years of experience. Keep trying different things. I enjoy programming, too--it's fun!

Marie

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