Bright was the Star
for mixed choir and keyboard
This simple Christmas setting resulted from an international collaboration between Brian Holmes of California and Gordon Thornett from the UK. Brian’s poem has been set for mixed voices (SATB) and piano (or organ). The piece describes how the cold of winter is turned into spring by the coming of the Christ Child.
Bright was the Star received its first performances in the UK, by the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and CBSO Chorus, conducted by Simon Halsey in December 2013. The orchestration is also available by arrangement with the composer.
In the recording you will hear the version for choir and orchestra.
SKU: GTT-010
Categories: Choral Music, Mixed Voices
Tags: Choral, Organ
| Difficulty: | Intermediate, Advanced Student |
| Descriptive Tags: | Light, Love, Peace, Praise, Prayer, Star |
| Sacred or Secular: | Sacred |
| Voicing: | SATB |
| Instrumentation: | Orchestra, Piano |
| Season or Event: | Advent, Christmas, Winter |
| Language: | English |
| Duration: | 1-5 Minutes |
This title is available in print or for immediate download. For both options, there is a minimum required quantity of 8 copies for choral titles. Please support self-publishing composers by ordering the quantity according to the number of singers in the ensemble that will perform the work.
Print orders are printed on demand and shipped by our printing partner, and can be expected to be processed within a few days of the order. Please do not hesitate to contact [email protected] to follow up.
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Title | View | Voicing | Duration | Language | Composer | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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SSA | 2' | English | A brief, delightful and whimsical setting of a text by American poet Gertrude Stein. It may be learned quickly. It is almost entirely built on a round, which underscores the poem’s wordplay. For 3-part treble choir, with piano accompaniment. Secular. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
A brief, delightful and whimsical setting of a text by American poet Gertrude Stein. It may be learned quickly. It is almost entirely built on a round, which underscores the poem’s wordplay. For 3-part treble choir, with piano accompaniment. Secular. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
SATB | 3'20" | Italian | Tre Madrigali Amorosi are settings of poems by Torquato Tasso (1544-1595), a favorite poet of Italian madrigal composers of the sixteenth century. The set was written for the Saint Mary’s University Chamber Singers, who premiered the works on their tour of France in March, 2013, with the composer conducting and Chun Chim (David) Leung, violin. […] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Tre Madrigali Amorosi are settings of poems by Torquato Tasso (1544-1595), a favorite poet of Italian madrigal composers of the sixteenth century. The set was written for the Saint Mary’s University Chamber Singers, who premiered the works on their tour of France in March, 2013, with the composer conducting and Chun Chim (David) Leung, violin. […] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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 | 3'20" | English | “Entrance” is a new choral composition for SATB choir w/piano accompaniment. The inspiring, secular text is by Dana Gioia, former US poet laureate. It invites the listener to find new discoveries, new creations: “step out…. of the room that lets you feel secure. / Infinity is open to your sight.” With a jazz-influenced, uptempo piano […] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
“Entrance” is a new choral composition for SATB choir w/piano accompaniment. The inspiring, secular text is by Dana Gioia, former US poet laureate. It invites the listener to find new discoveries, new creations: “step out…. of the room that lets you feel secure. / Infinity is open to your sight.” With a jazz-influenced, uptempo piano […] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
SSA | 5'30" | English | This marvelous love poem by Elizabeth Barrett Browning is dynamically dressed with a rich palette of word painting. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
This marvelous love poem by Elizabeth Barrett Browning is dynamically dressed with a rich palette of word painting. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
SATB | 2'20" | English ⋅ Latin | A lovely setting of the well-known communion prayer by Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274), this version has the choir sing both the original Latin and later in English translation. This anthem is indicative of my compositional style, including rapidly shifting harmonic centers. However, it is very approachable for both the singers and listeners, employing simple four-part harmonies […] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
A lovely setting of the well-known communion prayer by Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274), this version has the choir sing both the original Latin and later in English translation. This anthem is indicative of my compositional style, including rapidly shifting harmonic centers. However, it is very approachable for both the singers and listeners, employing simple four-part harmonies […] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Equal Voices ⋅ SSAA | Each round 1′30″ to 2′ (in performance) | English ⋅ Latin | 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, […] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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, […] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
SSA | 3'30" | English | SSA settings, with piano accompaniment, of texts by e. e. cummings (in Just), Thomas Dekker (The Merry Month of May), and from Genesis 1:11-12 (First Spring). The style is rhythmically intricate, includes spoken passages, and is rooted in an expanded tonality; the piano accompaniment is virtuosic. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
SSA settings, with piano accompaniment, of texts by e. e. cummings (in Just), Thomas Dekker (The Merry Month of May), and from Genesis 1:11-12 (First Spring). The style is rhythmically intricate, includes spoken passages, and is rooted in an expanded tonality; the piano accompaniment is virtuosic. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
SATB | 3' 55" | English | 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 […] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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 […] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
SA ⋅ SATB | 4'40" | English | This carol originated in the city of Wexford in the southeastern Republic of Ireland. It was transcribed from a local singer by the noted Irish author, composer, musicologist, and historian W. H. Grattan Flood (1859–1928). It eventually made its way into the Oxford Book of Carols. It has a modal (Mixolydian) feel, constantly shifting between […] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
This carol originated in the city of Wexford in the southeastern Republic of Ireland. It was transcribed from a local singer by the noted Irish author, composer, musicologist, and historian W. H. Grattan Flood (1859–1928). It eventually made its way into the Oxford Book of Carols. It has a modal (Mixolydian) feel, constantly shifting between […] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||