SATB a cappella
Text: Lizette Woodworth Reese
Duration: 2.5 min
Publisher: Santa Barbara Music Publishing

Commissioned by Joseph Ohrt, Bucks West Choir.

I am thy grass, O Lord!
I grow up sweet and tall
But for a day; beneath Thy sword
To lie at evenfall.
Yet have I not enough
In that brief day of mine?
The wind, the bees, the wholesome stuff
The sun pours out like wine.
Behold, this is my crown;
Love will not let me be;
Love holds me here; Love cuts me down;
And it is well with me.
Lord, Love, keep it but so;
Thy purpose is full plain;
I die that after I may grow
As tall, as sweet again.

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Score

Themes: nature, prayer, healing, life, sacred, anthem, church, liturgical

SSA, TBB, SAB (t) with Piano
Text: Paul Laurence Dunbar
Duration: 3.5 min
Publisher: Santa Barbara Music Publishing

An enchanting piece, the Paul Laurence Dunbar text paints a beautiful picture of an atmosphere conducive to bringing on a pleasant night’s sleep, while the music is imaginative enough to make the audience want to stay awake.

SAB version featured on the Phoenix Chamber Choir’s CD: Mid Winter Songs

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SBMP SAB/TBB

SBMP SAB(t)

Themes: gentle, lullaby, love, sleeping, peace, calm, tranquil, secular, three part, restful

SATB a cappella
Text: Sara Teasdale
Duration: 1.5 min
Publisher: SELF PUBLISHED, AVAILABLE FROM THE COMPOSER

Commissioned by the Vancouver Peace Choir, Tim Corlis dir. The whimsical Sara Teasdale poem inspired this gem of a piece, the composer reveling in the great opportunities it afforded for expressive word painting.

I am the still rain falling,
Too tired for singing mirth–
Oh, be the green fields calling,
Oh, be for me the earth!

I am the brown bird pining
To leave the nest and fly–
Oh, be the fresh cloud shining,
Oh, be for me the sky!

SAMPLE SCORE

THIS WORK IS NOW SELF PUBLISHED, EMAIL ME TO PURCHASE, THANK YOU

Themes: secular, nature, water, short, rain, gentle, cleansing, joyful

SATB a cappella (also SSAA a cappella)
Text: Thomas Dekker
Duration: 3 min
Publisher: G. Schirmer (SSAA, 2017 G. Schirmer)

Commissioned by the Vancouver Chamber Choir.

SSAA version commissioned and premiered by the NWACDA Women’s Honour Choir 2016. Contact me directly for SSAA information.

SSAA: 

Golden slumbers kiss your eyes,
Smiles awake you when you rise ;
Sleep, pretty wantons, do not cry,
And I will sing a lullaby,
Rock them, rock them, lullaby.
Care is heavy, therefore sleep you,
You are care, and care must keep you ;
Sleep, pretty wantons, do not cry,
And I will sing a lullaby,
Rock them, rock them, lullaby.

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Hal Leonard

G. Schirmer

Themes: secular, gentle, night, calming, sleeping, lullaby, stillness, satb, life, journey, family,

SATB a cappella
Text:Richard Crashaw
Duration: 3 min
Publisher: G.I.A Music

An ode to the star of love this SATB, a cappella anthem extols the beauty of evening and the star that decorates the night sky. A moderate tempo and frequently shifting meters give an almost conversational quality to this lovely piece.

The Star of Love now shines above Cool zephyrs crisp the sea; Among the leaves the wind-harp weaves, Its serenade for thee! The star, the breeze, the wave, the trees, Their minstrelsy unite, But all seems drear till thou appear, To decorate the night! The light of noon streams from the moon Tho’ with a milder ray; O’er hill and grove like woman’s love, It cheers us on our way. Thus all that’s bright, the moon, the night, The heav’ns, the earth, the sea, Exert their pow’rs to bless the hours, We dedicate to thee!

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GIA

SATB a cappella
Text:Richard Crashaw
Duration: 4 min
Publisher: G.I.A Music

Amadeus Choir Seasonal Songwriting Competition winning entry, 2011.

Gloomy night embraced the place

Where the noble Infant lay.
The Babe looked up and showed His face;
In spite of darkness, it was day.
It was Thy day, Sweet! and did rise
Not from the East, but from Thine eyes.
It was Thy day, Sweet! and did rise
Not from the East, but from Thine eyes

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GIA

Themes: christmas, christmastide, sacred, jesus, birth, church, holiday, winter,

Two Part Voices and Piano (may be sung in unison)
Text: Isaac Watt
Duration: 2.5 min
Publisher: G.I.A Music

Commissioned by ZING! Children’s Choir in Vancouver. In the tradition of lullabies past, Lie Still and Slumber encompasses the soothing comfort of angelic voices with tender words like those of this text by Isaac Watt. Delicate and smooth, this piece re-creates the rocking of a cradle or a mother’s arms through the rhythmic sway created by the rising and falling of the arpeggiated accompaniment.

Hush, my dear, lie still and slumber,
holy angels guard thy bed,
heavenly blessings without number,
gently falling on thy head.
Soft and easy is thy cradle,
coarse and hard thy Savior lay:
when his birthplace was a stable,
and his softest bed was hay.

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Score

GIA

Themes: sacred, liturgical, church, jesus, christmas, christmastide, birth, nativity, children, winter, holiday

SATB a cappella
Text:Robert Herrick
Duration: 3 min
Publisher: G. Schirmer

From the pen of rapidly rising young composer Matthew Emery and winner of the 2013 ACDA Raymond W. Brock Memorial Student Composition Contest, this a cappella setting of the Robert Herrick poem is a beautiful addition to serious choral repertoire. With dramatic use of dynamics, a fresh harmonic language and a timeless text, this is a wonderful selection for college and community choirs.

Can be heard on the ACDA album from sound waves recording.

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Score

G. Schirmer

Themes: life, loss, journey, peace, secular, places, paths,

SATB a cappella
Text: James Joyce
Duration: 3 min
Publisher: G. Schirmer

Commissioned by the Vancouver Chamber Choir. Long, legato lines and shifting tonal centers describe this setting by Matthew Emery of this famous James Joyce poem. Speaking of the power of both love and music and how they intertwine and collide, the musical setting is sensitive and powerful and will be a favorite of a good high school or collegiate choir.

O cool is the valley now
And there, love, will we go
For many a choir is singing now
Where Love did sometime go.
And hear you not the thrushes calling,
Calling us away?
O cool and pleasant is the valley
And there, love, will we stay.

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Score

G. Schirmer

Themes: secular, chamber, music, singing, life, journey, nature, topography, pleading, joy

SATB a cappella
Text:John Donne
Duration: 4 min
Publisher: Boosey & Hawkes

Commissioned by the University of British Columbia.

This beautiful text by Metaphysical poet John Donne brings a poignant message that as long as you keep what is most loved in your heart, you are never truly parted. This lovely idea is held together by a common melody, sung by the sopranos, which transforms through various key changes, symbolizing life’s always changing pulse.