Choral Catalogue

In this episode, you'll hear from J. Reese Norris, composer of "Rise Above" - available for SA through MusicSpoke. Reese and I discuss the conception of the piece, the impact of Joan of Arc, the common vocalisms of the adolescent treble singer, the part of this piece that singers refer to as "getting crunk up again", and the non usual banter. Thank you for listening and I hope you check out "Rise Above" and Reese's entire choral music catalogue! http://www.jreesenorris.com/ https://musicspoke.com/downloads/rise-above/

In this episode, you'll hear from Ryan Main, composer of "Dies Irae" - available for SATB, SSAB, SAB, SSA, TTB, and TB through his website (http://ryanmain.com/). Ryan and I discuss the conception of the piece, the fire and brimstone that students love to sing (mixed with some heavy metal), the importance of kinesthetics in rehearsal, and the usual non-musical banter. Thank you so much for listening and I hope you check out "Dies Irae" and Ryan's choral music catalogue! http://ryanmain.com/ https://www.ryanmain.com/store?store-page=Dies-Irae-p223393265

In this episode, you'll hear from David Brunner, composer of "Yo le Canto Todo el Dia" - available for SA, TTB, and SATB through Boosey & Hawkes. David and I discuss the conception of the piece, the virtuosic piano part, the dangers of rushing, and the usual non-musical banter. Thank you so much for listening and I hope you check out "Yo le Canto Todo el Dia" and David's choral music catalogue! http://davidbrunner.com/ SA - https://www.boosey.com/shop/prod/Brunner-David-Yo-Le-Canto-Todo-El-Dia-SA-piano/698958 TTB - https://www.boosey.com/shop/prod/Brunner-David-Yo-Le-Canto-Todo-El-Dia-TTB-Piano/2072285 SATB - https://www.boosey.com/shop/prod/Brunner-David-Yo-Le-Canto-Todo-El-Dia-SATB-piano/695513

In this episode, you'll hear from Susan LaBarr, composer of "Hold Fast to Dreams" - available for SATB and SSA through Santa Barbara Music Publishing. Susan and I discuss the conception of the piece, dotted quarter notes, commissioning, and the usual non-musical banter. Thank you so much for listening and I hope you check out Susan's choral music catalogue! https://www.giamusic.com/store/walton-music-editor SSA - https://sbmp.com/SR2.php?CatalogNumber=1426 SATB - https://sbmp.com/SR2.php?CatalogNumber=1136

In this episode, you'll hear from Sarah Quartel, composer of "Sing, My Child" - available for SATB, SSAA, and TTBB through Oxford University Press. Sarah and I discuss the conception of the piece, Sarah's style of composition, mixed meter, singing over the bar line and through the rests, and the usual non-musical banter. Thank you so much for listening and I hope you check out Sarah's choral music catalogue! https://www.sarahquartel.com/ SATB - https://global.oup.com/academic/product/sing-my-child-9780193517912?q=sing%20my%20child&lang=en&cc=us SSAA - https://global.oup.com/academic/product/sing-my-child-9780193530249?q=sing%20my%20child&lang=en&cc=us TTBB - https://global.oup.com/academic/product/sing-my-child-9780193560758?q=sing%20my%20child&lang=en&cc=us

In this episode, you'll hear from Mike Engelhardt, composer of "Victimae Paschali Laudes" - available for SATB and TTBB and self-published through his website (provided below). Mike and I discuss the conception of the piece, the dramatic nature of this antiquated text, vocoders, and the usual non-musical banter. Thank you so much for listening and I hope you check out Mike's choral music catalogue! https://www.michaelengelhardt.com/ https://www.michaelengelhardt.com/store/victimae-satb https://www.michaelengelhardt.com/store/victimae-paschali-laudes-ttbb-bass-percussion-opt-electronic-tracks

In this episode, you'll hear from Dr. Zanaida Robles, composer of "Veni Sancte Spiritus"- available for SATB and self-published, available through her website (provided below). Zanaida and I discuss the conception of the piece, mixed meter, progressive rock, and the usual non-musical banter. Thank you so much for listening and I hope you enjoy our conversation about "Veni Sancte Spiritus".  Please be sure to explore more of Dr. Zanaida Robles' catalogue! https://zanaidarobles.com/

In this episode, you'll hear from Kevin Memley, composer of "There Will Come Soft Rains" - available for SSAA through Pavane Publishing. Kevin and I discuss the conception of the piece, Sara Teasdale, synesthesia, polyrhythms, and the usual non-musical banter. This episode honors Sara Teasdale during Women’s History Month in March but is also dedicated to those impacted by the atrocious events that are currently taking place in Ukraine.  The text of this piece centers around the subject of war and its futility to the world around us.  Thank you so much for listening and I hope you enjoy our conversation and go check out "There Will Come Soft Rains" and Kevin's additional compositional library. https://kevinmemley.com/ http://www.pavanepublishing.com/2x2pdf/P1448There2X2.pdf

In this episode, you'll hear from Robert T. Gibson, composer of "This Little Light of Mine" - available for SSA and Two-Part through Walton Music. Robert and I discuss the conception of the piece, the accessible yet unpredictable nature of his arrangement, how important it is to let our own individual "light" shine, and the usual non-musical banter. Thank you so much for listening and I hope you enjoy our conversation and go check out "This Little Light of Mine"! https://roberttgibsonmusic.weebly.com/ https://www.giamusic.com/store/resource/this-little-light-of-mine-print-ww1682 https://www.giamusic.com/store/resource/this-little-light-of-mine-twopart-print-ww1874

In this episode, you'll hear from Josh Sparkman, composer of "Here We Come A-Caroling" - available for SATB through Beckenhorst Press. Josh and I discuss the conception of the piece, the old English tradition of wassailing, polyrhythms, and the usual non-musical banter. Thank you so much for listening and I hope you enjoy our conversation! https://www.joshsparkman.com/ https://beckenhorstpress.com/here-we-come-a-caroling/ Check out Episodes 11-13 that feature choral repertoire that could work well in a holiday concert!

In this episode, you'll hear from Alec Schumacker, Director of Choral Activities at Hawai‘i Pacific University, and composer of "Noël Nouvelet" - available for SA, TB, and SATB through Alliance Music Publications. Alec and I discuss the conception of his arrangement, the rhythmically driving piano accompaniment, incorporating Re-based Solfege into your rehearsals, and the usual non-musical banter. Thank you so much for listening and I hope you enjoy our conversation!  Stay tuned to the next few episodes this month as they will all be compositions you could use on holiday programs! http://alecschumacker.com/ http://www.alliancemusic.com/product.cfm?iProductID=1269 http://www.alliancemusic.com/product.cfm?iProductID=1270

In this episode, you'll hear from Dr. Amanda Quist, Director of Choral Activities at the University of Miami - Frost School of Music.  Amanda Quist is an imaginative and inquisitive concert programmer for her own ensembles as well as the various honor choirs she conducts throughout the United States. Amanda and I discuss what makes a well-rounded program, some no-fail pieces you should consider, the age-old debate of theming your concerts, and the usual non-musical banter. Thank you so much for listening and I hope you enjoy our conversation and it inspires you to explore some pieces you may not know about! https://people.miami.edu/profile/[email protected] https://choral.frost.miami.edu/

In this episode, you'll hear from Dan Davison, composer of "Ritmo" - available for SATB, SA(T)B, and TTBB with Piano 4-Hands through Walton Music. Dan and I discuss the conception of the piece, the typical labyrinth of the middle school boys' range, how teaching balance can improve rhythm, and the usual non-musical banter. Thank you so much for listening and I hope you enjoy our conversation! https://www.dandavisonmusic.com/ https://www.giamusic.com/store/resource/ritmo-satb-print-ww1437 https://www.giamusic.com/store/resource/ritmo-vocal-score-print-ww1414 https://www.giamusic.com/store/resource/ritmo-print-ww1438

In this episode, you'll hear from Eric William Barnum, composer of "Dreams of Thee" - available in SAB through Walton Music. Eric and I discuss the conception of the piece, promoting anti-fragility & success in the rehearsal process, and the usual non-musical banter. Thank you so much for listening and I hope you enjoy our conversation! https://www.giamusic.com/store/resource/dreams-of-thee-print-ww1362 http://www.ericwilliambarnum.com/

In this episode, you'll hear from Thomas LaVoy, composer of "In the Dark of the End" - available through Hewitt Hill Music.  "In the Dark of the End" is included in Tom's accessible SATB anthology called "Starlight: An Anthology of Works for Mixed Chorus".   Tom and I discuss the conception of the piece, teaching tips and tricks, and the usual non-musical banter. Thank you so much for listening and I hope you enjoy our conversation. https://www.thomaslavoy.com/in-the-dark-of-the-end https://www.thomaslavoy.com/

In this episode, you'll hear from Stuart Chapman Hill, composer of "Don't Be Seen" - available in SAB through Hinshaw Music. Stuart and I discuss the conception of the piece, plentiful nuggets of Choral Methods wisdom, Stuart's fascination with runaways, and the usual non-musical banter. Thank you so much for listening and enjoy our conversation! https://www.hinshawmusic.com/product/dont-be-seen-3-part/ http://www.stuartchapmanhill.com/

In this episode, you'll hear from Dr. Mark Sirett and learn more about his arrangement of the traditional Irish tune "Carrickfergus".  Mark's arrangement is available in TBB from Boosey & Hawkes / Hal Leonard. Mark and I discuss the advantages to the TTB / TBB voicing, the sense of longing and emotion in the text of the folksong, and the usual non-musical banter. Thank you so much for listening and enjoy our conversation! https://www.halleonard.com/product/48019311/carrickfergus http://www.marksirett.ca/

In this episode, you'll hear from Laura Farnell, composer of "Heart, We Will Forget Him" - available in SSA through Hal Leonard. Laura and I discuss the conception of the piece, "watering" dotted quarter notes, the composer "family tree" of this text, and the usual non-musical banter. Thank you so much for listening and enjoy our conversation! https://www.halleonard.com/product/8745125/heart-we-will-forget-him

In this episode, you'll hear from Kenneth Riggs, composer of "The Old Mill" - available in SAB and SATB through Choristers Guild. Ken and I discuss the conception of the piece, the advantages of teaching pieces in compound time, and the usual non-musical banter. Thank you so much for listening and enjoy our conversation! http://www.kennethriggs.com/

In this episode, you'll hear from Jake Runestad, composer of "Rise Up" - available in SSAA through Jake's website. https://jakerunestad.com/store/rise-up/ Jake and I discuss the ideiosyncrasies of the piece, Susan B. Anthony's profound voice, and some of the usual non-musical banter. Thank you so much for listening and enjoy our conversation!

In this episode, you'll hear from Dr. Keith Hampton, composer of "Praise His Holy Name" - available in SATB, SSA, and TTB through earthsongs.  Dr. Hampton and I discuss the conception of the piece,  some teaching tips and strategies, and some non-musical conversation. Thanks so much for listening and I hope you enjoy the conversation!

An introduction to the Choral Catalogue, a space for choral directors to find exemplary, programmable choral repertoire while learning more about the conception behind those pieces as well as teaching tips and strategies from composers and choral directors in the field of Choral Music. Each episode will focus on one piece of choral repertoire that works well for high school and / or choral ensembles.