Advertise on ChoralNet
programming ideas for 2nd choir at a collegeDate: May 24, 2013 by Tod Fish  Views: 455
Dear Colleagues:
I have recently been appointed to the choral faculty at Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas. I will be conducting the Choral Union there, which is an all-student group, numbering about 60-70 students, and made up of 2/3 music majors. I have some pretty good ideas about programming, but am uncertain about an opener and a closer. I would like something short and big for the opener and something uplifting for the closer.
Some ideas I had for openers are Cry Out and Shout by Nystedt and Frohlocket by Mendelssohn. The one closer that keeps coming to mind is Let the River Run arr. Craig Hella Johnson. I would rather not end with a spiritual.
Your suggestions are greatly appreciated,
Thank you,
Tod Fish
Lubbock, Texas
Replies (4): Threaded | Chronological
Rick Bartlett on May 25, 2013 8:22am
Tod,
While you may possibly be looking for something "tried and true" for an uplifting closer, please consider the following work:
Breathe On Me, Day! for SATB (some divisi) and piano. Breathe on me, Day! is from the poem "Song of the Morning", scored here for SATB and piano. Permission for the use of the text has been granted by the poet. The text is one of encouragement to those of us who are struggling to step out of the shadows into light, to rise above the surface, to win in a battle. This work was initially inpsired by two dear friends, in the prime of their lives as wives and mothers, enduring the battle of defeating breast cancer. Dr. Smithdas, in his most intuitive way, has indeed written wonderful words of encouragement to take to heart. The score is fairly accessible to a good high school, college or community mixed choir. A flowing accompaniment with a beautiful a cappella section and a gradual build to a double forte finish will move the singers and listeners alike. (also scored for SSAA and piano) Breathe on me, Day! received its premiere by the Ithaca High School Chorus, Art Loomis, Director, at the 31st Annual Ithaca College School of Music Choral Composition Competition, Nov. 2009. The score and performance is here: http://www.scoreexchange.com/scores/87627.html
Contact me if you find this a contender. Best wishes.
Rick Bartlett
crickb88(a)cox.net
on May 25, 2013 10:14am
Hi Todd,
You did not mention what sort of concert you are planning. Is there a theme? I might suggest 3 pieces that could land either at the beginning or the end. "World of Many Colors" (which features a round that creates a wonderful tapestry of sound), "YaLaLay" (in Swahili), a really fun piece if you have some strong basses, and an energetic celtic holiday piece "Rejoice!" based on Veni Veni Emmanuel (available in non-doctrinal english, or in phonetic gaelic- for either the traditional text or the modern text). Please either visit RockArbor youtube channel to view 2 of these 3 pieces or contact me to download a perusal score. Hope this helps!
on May 26, 2013 2:04pm
Todd,
Congratulations on your new appointment! I would like to suggest my Nyon Nyon as an opener/closer. A rhythmic exploration of the sonic potentials of the human voice, Nyon Nyon is becoming one of my most popular works. It has recently been performed by VocalEssence (Phlip Brunelle), Florida State Univ. (Andre Thomas), University of Idaho (Mike Murphy), and is programmed for the 2013 Nebraska All-State Choir.
View a perusal score and find out more by clicking here.
Here is a recording:
|
Help support ChoralNet by buying via these links
|
Subscribe to thread
New message
Reply
