I have loved this poem for as long as I can remember. It’s crisp, fresh imagery, it’s success in conveying, with a magnificent economy, what a poem is all about, is indeed a small miracle. I could not resist the temptation to set it for chorus. Because the poem had “gestated” for many years, I […]
This carol was first published in 1833 in a collection entitled “Christmas Carols Ancient and Modern”. William Sandys, a solicitor by day and music & manuscript collector by night, purportedly came across the tune in Devonshire, England. In this gentle setting from 1991 many colors of choral writing appear with sections for SATB, 3-part men, […]
This setting of the Anglican communion/mass service – Gloria, Sanctus, Benedictus, and Agnus Dei – is simple and tuneful. The writing is in the tradition of the great English composers of the 20th century. The Gloria is available as a separate anthem through Swirly. It can be performed as a general-purpose anthem or during the […]
A setting of Robert Frost’s metaphorical rendering of feelings of depression, isolation and alienation. Rhythmic and thought-provoking. Medium difficulty, appropriate for high school, collegiate and community choirs. Commissioned by Penn High School Choirs, IN.
“Snowflakes” is a short, peaceful, wintry song for a cappella SATB chorus, with lyrics by Linda A. Copp. The piece was commissioned by Cantabile Chamber Chorale, directed by Rebecca Scott, for performance in their 2003-04 season. This piece is a great choice for high school and college, and the “Quartet Pack” option makes it ideal for a […]
This setting of “A Flanders Carol” by Frederick Niven was written to commemorate the centenary of the outbreak of World War I in 1914. It was written for and first performed by the Solihull Chandos Choir on December 17, 2014.
Multiple divisi lines in soprano and alto and unison tenor/bass create an effective textural setting of this text from Isaiah 42: “Behold my servant, whom I uphold: my chosen one in whom I delight.” SSSSAAAB unaccompanied.
“Nocte fletuum angelis” is a choral setting of a brief poem written on the evening of December 14, 2012, as the terrible dimensions of the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut became apparent. The poem and this musical setting are dedicated to the twenty children and six adult victims. In paradisum deducant […]
Click here to follow the score: https://youtu.be/kSR8gohqJVY This setting of ‘Jesus, friend of little children’ was written about 30 years ago, for the baptism of our younger daughter. It was written as a soprano solo with piano accompaniment. In this current version, it may still be performed as a solo, if desired, but I have added […]
I. Curiosity (Why are…?) II. Desperation (How do I? How do you?) III. Contemplation (I Wonder Why) PROGRAM NOTE Search was commissioned by the Young People’s Chorus of New York City for the Radio Radiance program. The text was assembled by the composer from the suggestions Google makes when one types a question word into […]
This anthem is a setting of an early 20th Century hymn text. It utilizes metaphors in nature to describe a life of good character and is suitable for worship. It is free of gender specific language, and therefore speaks to all people of good will. The music is somewhat reminiscent of early 20th Century church […]
In Runo XIV of the Kalevala, Lemminkäinen hunts the black swan that lives on the river of Tuoni in the underworld in order to win a daughter of Louhi as his wife. While searching for the swan, he is killed and his body is dumped into the river. In Runo XV, Lemminkäinen’s mother searches all […]
A poignant set of modern-day madrigals is crafted from three exquisite poems by Christina Rossetti that pay homage to the moon. SSAA version also available »
These Biblical texts are often associated with the Advent season of the Christian calendar. It is also sung anytime of the year at “Evensong” in Episcopal and Anglican traditions. The accompaniment is a traditional Woodwind Quintet. The composer knows of no other choral piece that uses this instrumental combination to accompany a choral work. If there are none, then, […]
Tumbalalayka is a rhythmic, harmonically rich setting of the beloved Yiddish folksong. The voices imitate the strumming of the balalaika in this classic riddle-courtship song—by turns playful and tender. Performed regularly by choirs around the world. It is included on French vocal quartet Quatour Aesthesis’ 2022 CD O Do Not Move. At a glance • WACDA […]
Majestic Ride is a choral sequence for the beginning of Holy Week. It consists of three new hymn settings, linked by optional solo/choral passages and narration drawn from the Bible, centred mainly on the events of Palm Sunday. The three hymns are ‘All glory, laud and honour’, ‘My song is love unknown’ and ‘Ride […]
A lyrical carol for SATB choir, this Christmas piece imagines sunrise on the first Christmas morning. “O Gift of Glorious Sunrise” was premiered in Buffalo, NY in December 2015 by the Vocalis Chamber Choir (James Burritt conducting).
“Border” is an artistic response to the immigration/refugee crisis around the globe (especially in the United States). The opening passage is: “Border, sanctuary, asylum, bridges not walls.” The text draws from (and paraphrases) several sources: contemporary media, Emma Lazarus’ “The New Colossus,” the Bible’s Matthew 25:31-40, currency, and others. The changing meters of “Border” fill […]
An English translation of the poem “Friede auf Erden” by Conrad Ferdinand Meyer (1825-1898) is set for SSATB choir unaccompanied. Referencing the Christmas story, this setting brings to life the text with lush harmonies freely changing key centers as the story progresses. Each of the four stanzas ends with a variation on the musical material […]
This setting of the classic Christmas carol begins with a quiet and intimate first verse that broadens out into an angelic, celebratory interlude section culminating in an exciting fanfare. The second verse features a soaring duet between tenor melody and soprano descant, but devolves into chaos as the text reflects on the world’s “babel sounds,” […]
I Lift Up Mine Eyes (Psalm 121) is part of the section (Psalms 120-134) of psalms called the ‘Songs of Ascents’, meaning “to sing while going up.” It is a song of thanksgiving sung by the psalm singer, possibly on the way to Jerusalem with the hills of Jerusalem in view. The psalm contains two […]
“Without listening, there is no song…” The text by Matt Boresi emphasizes the importance of listening in music and in life, a timely message for our world. A flowing piano part, lush harmonies and a soaring melody will make this a satisfying and meaningful addition to your library. “Listen” was written to celebrate the 70th […]
This sweet and gentle setting of a classic Southern Harmony hymn features the Alto section in its first verse, then opens out into a joyful depiction of the sensation of flight. The second verse features birdcalls in the piano accompaniment. Recording by First Readings Project. Find the SSAA version of this piece here.
‘Long live music – long live life!’ This little song, originally composed for a children’s choir in the USA, was adapted for a small community choir in Birmingham, UK. The words and music are simple and straightforward, about the joy of music and singing, and the song can be quickly learnt by choirs of all […]
They Shall Not Hurt, a short Jewish hymn with a flowing melody, expresses clear-eyed but heart-felt devotion. Sung in Hebrew and English and relatively easy to perform, it is an ideal work for Friday night Sabbath service or concert setting. Arthur Lazarus (1925-1993) was music director for Temple Beth Sholom in New City, New York, […]
“Rain Has Fallen” is one of two settings by Madelyn Byrne of poems from James Joyce’s Chamber Music. The other setting, “Winds of May“, is also available from Swirly Music. The composer writes: Chamber Music is an early work by James Joyce. It is a collection of poems dealing with the young author’s feelings of loneliness, anticipation, […]
This joyful harvest song may be of particular interest to choral groups within the Jewish tradition, but it may equally prove to be a useful addition to the harvest or thanksgiving repertoire of any choir. The text is taken from World Healing Prayers, with additional text by Linda G Marcus, adapted by the composer. There’s […]
Word painting of a raw, intense poem by Paul Cummings is the essence of this homage to the miracle of music, which begins: Your harmony invades my being; / my body is captured by the embrace / of a melody that leads me out of dark places.
Also popularly known as “The Ryans and the Pittmans,” this song recounts the romantic entanglements of a sailor named Robert “Bob” Pittman. It is based on the English sea shanty “Spanish Ladies,” which has a number of variants known to sailors from New England to Australia. Most of the verses in this version may be […]
This delightful piece sets a whimsical poem by the American poet, Susan Kinsolving, about steps taken internationally to make the world a better place. Sanford Dole’s Dance Steps has artistic merit…no one can doubt the artistic merit of Dole’s entertaining piece. I was not looking forward to enduring Susan Kinsolving’s absurdist text, printed in the […]
This traditional folk song from Haiti originated as a work song, sung by boatmen in order keep their rowing strokes in sync. The language is Haitian Creole, similar in pronunciation to French, but easier (no silent letters!). Piano accompaniment with simple optional drum. Also available in a version for TTB chorus.
This energetic setting of Gloria in excelsis Deo, from the Latin Mass, opens with rhythmic patterns that enhance the text. Midway through, the chorus softly occults between two simple chords under an alto then baritone soloists. The opening patterns return before a fugal section at the text “cum santo spiritu.” The final Amen is another […]
Chanukah Candle Blessing is an original SATB setting of the traditional Jewish prayer recited before lighting the menorah. Short, not difficult, and sung in Hebrew, this piece is appropriate for winter concerts and synagogue use. Click on Soundcloud above to listen to an excerpt. Ba-ruch A-tah Ado-nai E-lo-he-nu Me-lech ha-olam a-sher ki-de-sha-nu be-mitz-vo-tav ve-tzi-va-nu le-had-lik […]
This setting of Evensong Canticles (BCP 1662) is intended for use in those churches which are looking for a relatively simple choral setting, or that don’t always have a mixed choir and need the flexibility of being able to sing the canticles in unison where necessary, or where a choir of children’s/women’s voices or men’s […]
(Choral SATB with S,A divisi) Written for a choral composition competition in 2024 (I didn’t win), this piece uses the text of Psalm 13 to demonstrate David’s dispair and doubt turning into faith and joy. Text in English is from the 1928 US Books of Common Prayer vv. 1-3, 5-6. ISMN 979-0-9025253-5-0 ISWC T3250054634 If […]
The text comprises a solitary verse, St. John 3:8, taken from Nicodemus’ well-known nocturnal conversation with Jesus. The anthem is intended for use in a generous acoustic, such as a Cathedral, where during the many bar rests, the fragmented and overlapping phrases can be given opportunity to resound and reflect until the reverberation dissipates. The […]
Steven Paxton’s VISIONS for SATB choir is a moving setting of the poem by Wisconsin poet Charlotte A. Cote: “You catch sometimes a glimpse of forever — a lake… .” It was commissioned by Paul Rusterholz and the La Crosse Chamber Chorale in celebration of the 1998 Wisconsin Sesquicentennial. Two versions are available, one with […]
The text of Ubi caritas comes from an antiphon for Holy (Maundy) Thursday, during the washing of the feet. This new setting is dedicated to all of the healthcare workers, first responders, essential workers, and all those who have given so much to assist and comfort us throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. The work was premiered […]
Choral elegy in memory of friend and fellow musician Haskell Fitz-Simons. The text speaks of lost opportunities to tell those in our lives how dear they are to us while they are still here.
