The King of Blis
All vocal groups need short, portable items in their repertoire. A round is a melody which can unfold into harmony, the prime tool of choral directors who wish to develop in singers an ability to listen to others while holding an independent line. Rounds build cohesion among singers and provide opportunities for improving ensemble, sight-reading, articulation and breathing.
These Nativity rounds, while they may require diligent rehearsal, are ideal for performance during Advent. They have strong melodies, warm lyrics and plenty of movement among the parts; some have vocal ostinati which may otherwise be taken by a sympathetic instrument—a harp, flute or cello. Once learned, they will never be forgotten!
Over 100 of Brian Kogler’s rounds are now accessible on YouTube. Scores are available for free on request. Please contact: bkogler [at] bigpond [dot] com
| Voicing: | Equal Voices, SSAA |
| Instrumentation: | A Cappella |
| Sacred or Secular: | Sacred |
| Language: | English, Latin |
| Season or Event: | Advent, Praise to Virgin Mary |
| Descriptive Tags: | Carol, Lullaby, Virgin Mary |
| Difficulty: | Intermediate, Advanced |
Explore More Music…
Title | View | Voicing | Duration | Language | Composer | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| SATB | 4'20" | English | A setting of the brief yet powerful poem by Walt Whitman (from “Leaves of Grass”). The score takes its cue from the meditative nature of the text. There is a contemplative tone throughout, laced with subtle harmonies and perhaps inspired by the works of Randall Thompson. The score quietly expresses the expansive feeling one gets […] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| A setting of the brief yet powerful poem by Walt Whitman (from “Leaves of Grass”). The score takes its cue from the meditative nature of the text. There is a contemplative tone throughout, laced with subtle harmonies and perhaps inspired by the works of Randall Thompson. The score quietly expresses the expansive feeling one gets […] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SATB | 4' | English | 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. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 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. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SATB | 4'20" | Latin | BENEDICTION was written in February-March of 2013 for my friend Keith Haan upon his retirement as Director of Choral Activities St. Ambrose University. The “threefold blessing” seemed perfect for the occasion as we gathered to wish our colleague well on his way. I used the latin text because I wanted that elevated sound those open […] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| BENEDICTION was written in February-March of 2013 for my friend Keith Haan upon his retirement as Director of Choral Activities St. Ambrose University. The “threefold blessing” seemed perfect for the occasion as we gathered to wish our colleague well on his way. I used the latin text because I wanted that elevated sound those open […] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SATB | 5' | This composition won first prize in the Longfellow Choral Composition Competition in 2011. I have enjoyed Longfellow’s poetry for many years–“Excelsior” in particular. However, I’ve never managed to develop a huge amount of sympathy for the poem’s protagonist. Here we have a youth who ignores the advice of everyone around him that his journey was […] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| This composition won first prize in the Longfellow Choral Composition Competition in 2011. I have enjoyed Longfellow’s poetry for many years–“Excelsior” in particular. However, I’ve never managed to develop a huge amount of sympathy for the poem’s protagonist. Here we have a youth who ignores the advice of everyone around him that his journey was […] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Equal Voices ⋅ SSAA | Each round 1′30″ to 2′ (in performance) | English | The round is the first tool of any music teacher wishing to develop in children an ability to listen to others while holding an independent line. Rounds also build cohesion among singers, providing opportunities to improve ensemble, sight-reading, articulation and breathing. Here are thirteen original rounds of varying difficulty for Youth Choir: while intended for […] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The round is the first tool of any music teacher wishing to develop in children an ability to listen to others while holding an independent line. Rounds also build cohesion among singers, providing opportunities to improve ensemble, sight-reading, articulation and breathing. Here are thirteen original rounds of varying difficulty for Youth Choir: while intended for […] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SATB | 2' 12" | English | Originally written as an anthem to mark a Silver Wedding anniversary, this piece was rescored and incorporated as the opening piece in the contrasting set of “Three Anthems“, commissioned by the Purbeck Arts Choir in the UK. It is scored for SATB choir with divisi and organ. Although a dramatic and impactful work, it is […] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Originally written as an anthem to mark a Silver Wedding anniversary, this piece was rescored and incorporated as the opening piece in the contrasting set of “Three Anthems“, commissioned by the Purbeck Arts Choir in the UK. It is scored for SATB choir with divisi and organ. Although a dramatic and impactful work, it is […] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SATB | 3'30" | English | 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). | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 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). | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SSAATB | 4' | English | 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. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 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. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SATB | 4' 25" | English | One of Newfoundland’s best known folksongs, “She’s Like The Swallow” was first collected by Maud Karpeles in 1930, but certainly dates from well before that, as evidenced by the appearance of several verses in various British laments. The subject of the unfaithful lover is perhaps as old as song itself. “She’s Like the Swallow” is […] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| One of Newfoundland’s best known folksongs, “She’s Like The Swallow” was first collected by Maud Karpeles in 1930, but certainly dates from well before that, as evidenced by the appearance of several verses in various British laments. The subject of the unfaithful lover is perhaps as old as song itself. “She’s Like the Swallow” is […] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SATB | 4'50" | English | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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