Cycle of Friends

for soprano solo, chorus and chamber orchestra

by Michael Kaulkin

Michael Kaulkin · CYCLE OF FRIENDS for soprano, chorus and orchestra

A lyrical meditation on friendship and loss, Cycle of Friends is a concert centerpiece with texts ranging from Sappho and Emily Dickinson to Tang-dynasty China and pre-Columbian Mexico. A soprano soloist serves as an intimate narrator, while the orchestra supplies vivid, transparent color around lyrical choral writing.

Completed and premiered in 1996, a newly revised score is available in 2026, celebrating the work’s 30th anniversary. Cycle of Friends was commissioned and premiered by the Music Group of Philadelphia, Seán Deibler conductor, in Philadelphia.

The brief, central a cappella movement Are Friends Delight Or Pain?, setting Emily Dickinson, is also available from Swirly Music.

Instrumentation: Soprano solo; SSAATTBB Chorus; Chamber Orchestra (1,1,1,1 1 hn, 1 tpt, hp, perc, strings)

Free Perusal Score

Choose “Free Perusal Score” in the shopping cart dropdown. This is the full score only. Piano/vocal score, and Digital Performance Packet option coming soon.

SKU: SWM-002 Categories: Choral Music, Mixed Voices, Orchestra, Solo Voice Tags: Choral, Orchestra, Soprano
Options: Full Score, Piano/Vocal Score, Score Only, Score and Part(s), Part(s) Only

Descriptive Tags:	Cantata, Chinese, Friendship, PROJECT : ENCORE
Voicing:	SATB, SSAATTB
Instrumentation:	Orchestra
Language:	English
Sacred or Secular:	Secular
Duration:	> 15 Minutes

$0.00

This title is available for immediate download.

Choose Format

Clear

Quantity

Explore More Music…

	Title	Voicing	Duration	Language	Composer
	Communion Service in D for SATB chorus & organ/piano ROC-007	SATB	6'45"	English	Oganovic, Robert	Info/Listen/Buy »	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 […]
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 […]
	Earth in Delight for mixed voices and string quartet PGN-012	SATB	7'30"	English	Gibson, Paul	Info/Listen/Buy »	This short cantata on spring evokes expressive texts by John Milton, anonymous, and E.E. Cummings.
This short cantata on spring evokes expressive texts by John Milton, anonymous, and E.E. Cummings.
	Konikoneco (TTB version) for TTB choir with piano and optional percussion SPN-014	TTB	2'	Other	Paxton, Steven	Info/Listen/Buy »	KONIKONECO (TTB) is a traditional call-and-response song of the Teso people, who live in eastern Uganda and in western Kenya. The lyrics, from the Atesolanguage combined with borrowings from other languages and dialects, roughly translates as “Let us celebrate our schools, our learning, and our empowerment.” The piano accompaniment suggests the arpeggios typical of Ugandan hand-held harps (a’dungu). Other […]
KONIKONECO (TTB) is a traditional call-and-response song of the Teso people, who live in eastern Uganda and in western Kenya. The lyrics, from the Atesolanguage combined with borrowings from other languages and dialects, roughly translates as “Let us celebrate our schools, our learning, and our empowerment.” The piano accompaniment suggests the arpeggios typical of Ugandan hand-held harps (a’dungu). Other […]
	Little David, Play on Your Harp for SATB choir and 4-hand piano JDM-002	SATB	2'30"	English	Durham, Jennifer	Info/Listen/Buy »	This popular spiritual has been arranged for SATB and piano duet (4 hands, one piano). Uplifting AND fun to sing, with a very exciting accompaniment. There are multiple optional, short solos. A great time will be had by all!
This popular spiritual has been arranged for SATB and piano duet (4 hands, one piano). Uplifting AND fun to sing, with a very exciting accompaniment. There are multiple optional, short solos. A great time will be had by all!
	Locus iste for SSATBB choir a cappella ROC-001	SSATBB	3:30	Latin	Oganovic, Robert	Info/Listen/Buy »	This original anthem is suitable for all occasions and offers a gentle, contemporary setting of the text used by Anton Bruckner in his well-known composition of the same name composed in 1869. “This place was made by God, a priceless sacrament; it is without reproach.” Genesis 28:16 Exodus 3:5.
This original anthem is suitable for all occasions and offers a gentle, contemporary setting of the text used by Anton Bruckner in his well-known composition of the same name composed in 1869. “This place was made by God, a priceless sacrament; it is without reproach.” Genesis 28:16 Exodus 3:5.
	O Holy Night for mixed choir and piano JBN-018	SATB	4'50"	English	Bernstein, Jeffrey	Info/Listen/Buy »

	Raisins and Almonds (SSAA version) For SSAA chorus a cappella PHD-004	SSAA	2'40"	Yiddish	Hilliard, Peter	Info/Listen/Buy »	Daniel Paulson and VoxMusica commissioned this beautiful a cappella arrangement of Avrom Goldfaden’s beloved Yiddish lullaby. A beautiful solo verse is followed by a lush contrapuntal setting your singers and audience will find very meaningful.
Daniel Paulson and VoxMusica commissioned this beautiful a cappella arrangement of Avrom Goldfaden’s beloved Yiddish lullaby. A beautiful solo verse is followed by a lush contrapuntal setting your singers and audience will find very meaningful.
	Set Me As a Seal for mixed chorus a cappella PHD-002	SATB ⋅ SSATB	2'	English	Hilliard, Peter	Info/Listen/Buy »	“Love is strong as death” This moving sentiment from the Song of Solomon is appropriate for many occasions, and the subtle counterpoint of this setting will delight singers and audience alike.
“Love is strong as death” This moving sentiment from the Song of Solomon is appropriate for many occasions, and the subtle counterpoint of this setting will delight singers and audience alike.
	Star of Wonder for choir (SATB with divisions) + organ, piano or orchestra GTT-030	SATB	5' 20"	English	Thornett, Gordon	Info/Listen/Buy »	Forget the traditional setting of “We thee kings of Orient are”! This is a much more reflective version, for choir and orchestra, given its first performance by the Nidarosdomens Guttekor in the splendid setting of Trondheim Cathedral in December 2017. They also performed the piece on their pre-Christmas tour, using just organ for accompaniment. The […]
Forget the traditional setting of “We thee kings of Orient are”! This is a much more reflective version, for choir and orchestra, given its first performance by the Nidarosdomens Guttekor in the splendid setting of Trondheim Cathedral in December 2017. They also performed the piece on their pre-Christmas tour, using just organ for accompaniment. The […]
	The Angel Gabriel for SSATBB choir & organ/piano ROC-004	SSATBB	6'	English	Oganovic, Robert	Info/Listen/Buy »	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 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, […]