Developing Musical Accuracy in Your Middle School Chorus
Training students to sing with musical accuracy is critical and can be developed through careful repertoire selection. The three best genres for advancing accurate singing are Baroque music, contemporary music, and canonic materials.
Baroque Music
The most important lesson I learned as a young conductor was the value of teaching and performing Baroque music. In fact, most of my choirs have been nicknamed “The Baroque Kids.” Learning to sing Baroque music will develop your choir’s ability to:
When choosing pieces from the Baroque period:
Performing contemporary music is important to the vocal health of your choir. Your students should know living composers who can talk about their music and how they create. Contact with the creators of music may inspire a young mind to try composing. When considering contemporary repertoire:
It is extremely important in teaching this type of music that all the children learn to sing perfectly accurate intervals. When learning to sing this style of music children develop:
Canonic Literature
One of the easiest ways to build partsinging as you teach the accurate execution of score articulation marks and dynamics is to introduce your choir to simple canons or pieces that use canonic structure. Canons have appealed to composers and singers for centuries.
New Releases ~ Sacred SATB Voices ~ Sacred
And They Drew Nigh, by Richard DeLong, English text, ECS, 4851, SATB a cappella. This chant-like communion hymn uses triplet rhythms and surprising intervalic relationships with simple counterpoint. A short piece strophic in form, it is ideal service music. Difficulty rating 2. $1.15
Fanfare and Alleluia, by Libby Larsen, Latin text, Oxford,94.255, SATB, handbells, chimes, two trumpets, two trombones, and organ. This is the perfect contemporary festival piece. It is sometimes dissonant, but has splashing harmonies that celebrate the Resurrection of Christ. This short work received its premiere on Easter, 1995. Difficulty rating 3. $1.20
If Ye Love Me, by Richard DeLong, English text, ECS, 4855, SATB a cappella. Dominated by dramatic, tight intervals, this short homophonic setting of John 14:15-17 is peaceful in its gesture. Difficulty rating 3. $1.15
Jam sol recedit (Now sinks the sun, from “The Legend of St. Christopher), by Horatio W. Parker, English/Latin text, Walton, WLC-1010, SATB a cappella. Shimmering harmonies and elegant counterpoint dominate this historic edition from the Library of Congress. Written in 1898, the piece was considered “an
unsurpassed masterpiece of choral writing for unaccompanied voices...” Thisedition is a reprint of a 1900 Novello publication. Difficulty rating 3. $1.50O Magnum Mysterium, by Tomás Luis de Victoria, Latin text, Mark Foster, MF2130, SATB a cappella. This motet, edited by Chester L. Alwes, contains historic information, research data, program notes, and text translation. Filled with crossing voice parts and elegant counterpoint, this piece is perfect for the small, accomplished choir. Difficulty rating 4. $1.60
Sechs geistliche Lieder (Six Sacred Songs), by Hugo Wolf (1860-1903), German/English text, ECS, 5213 (Aufblick, Supplication), 5214 (Einkehr, Contemplation), 5215 (Resignation), 5216 (Letzte Bitte, Last Prayer), 5217 (Ergebung, Submission), 5218 (Erhebung, Exaltation), SATB a cappella. These sacred lieder are edited by Robert Schuneman with translations by Norma Farber. These pieces of deep, dark despair were written in 1881. Published after the composers death, they show the tremendous conflicts that dominated Wolf’s life. Difficulty rating 3-4. $1.15-1.60
Treble Voices ~ Sacred
Ave Maria, by Rebecca Clarke, Latin text, Oxford, 94.415, SSA a cappella. Startling harmonies that shift in unusual directions dominate this work with changing meters. Clarke was born in the late 1800’s and considered one of the finest viola players of her day, as well as being a distinguished composer. The piece is ideal for church service or a concert of women’s music. Difficulty rating 3. $1.50
Innocent Sounds, by Jeremiah Ingalls, arr. Marie Stultz, English text, MorningStar, 50-9916, SA & keyboard. Ingalls was born in Andover, MA in 1764. Arranged for the 350th anniversary of that township, the piece holds true to the open harmonies and simplistic style typical of American music of this period. The tune is one in a collection of 80 tunes published in 1805 in New Hampshire. The edition contains a teaching tool and historic background of this obscure American composer. Difficulty rating 3. $1.25
Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis, by Richard Wayne Dirksen, English text, Oxford, 94.413, SA & organ. This is a glowing, lyrical setting of this traditional evening text. The nunc dimittis has the greatest intervalic challenge, with both movements closing with an identical “amen.” Set in A Major, the piece ends on a surprising F Major harmony. Difficulty rating 3. $1.60
O vos omnes, by Tomas Luis de Victoria, Latin text, Lorenz, 15/1400R, SSAA a cappella. Elegant suspensions and striking counterpoint are dominating qualities on this great work originally written for treble voices. Carefully edited by Raymond Sprague, program notes and editorial comments are part of the edition. Difficulty rating 4. $1.40
Extended Works~Treble Voices
All God’s Creatures, by Howard Blake, English text, Boosey, FM 58054-8, SA & piano (orchestra). This charming song-cycle is set to texts by William Blake, Alfred, Lord Tennyson, John Bunyan, Robert Browning, and Lewis Carroll. This amusing look at the creatures of the earth is written in excellent tessituras for children. Much of the voice writing is straightforward and often in unison, with some partsinging and spoken dialogue that is great fun to perform. Difficulty rating 3. Vocal Score $17.95, Chorus Parts $4.95
Stabat Mater, by Giovanni Battista Pergolesi, Latin text, Hinshaw, HMB-209, SA & keyboard (orchestra). This major work for treble voices has been excerpted and edited by Jean Ashworth Bartle. The movements (I, IV, VIII, XI, and XII) chosen for this publication are quite appropriate for young choirs. Program notes are included in this beautiful edition. Difficulty rating 3. $5.25
New John Rutter Editions~SATB Voices
John Rutter has been editing established works for Oxford University Press and Colegium Music Publications both in collections and in separate publications. Some of these pieces are listed below. Each includes program notes and editorial comments. All require an accomplished choir. Difficulty rating 3-5.Oxford Choral Classics
Crucifixus, by Antonio Lotti, Latin/ English text, Oxford, 341792-8, SSAATTBB & organ. $1.60
Locus Iste, by Anton Bruckner, Latin/English text, Oxford, 341788X, SATB a cappella. $1.20
Magnificat, by Dietrich Buxtehude, Latin text, Oxford, 341790-1, SSATB, strings, & continuo. $1.95The Collegium Choral Series
Gloria, by Claudio Monteverdi, Latin text, Collegium, CCS 213, SSATTBB, strings, & continuo.$3.50
Heilig (Holy), by Felix Mendelssohn, German/English text, Collegium, CCS 215, SATB/SATB a cappella. $1.30
Magnificat, op. 164, by C.V. Stanford, Latin text, Collegium, CCS 212,SATB/SATB a cappella. $3.95
Stabat Mater, by G. P. da Palestrina, Latin text, Collegium, CCS 214, SATB/SATB a cappella. $2.20
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New Releases ~ Secular SATB Voices ~ Secular
Bridal Chorus (from Lohengrin), by Richard Wagner, German/English text, Oxford, 3417944, SATB & keyboard (orchestra). This is a wonderful edition by John Rutter of this famous wedding chorus. The edition has a fine English translation and has been carefully researched for authenticity. Program notes accompany the publication. Difficulty rating 3. $1.60
Celia Singing, by David Conte, English text, ECS, 5182, SATB a cappella. Expansive harmonies and lyrical counterpoint are part of the musical gesture of this short piece commissioned by the Clay Fund of Loyola Marymount University. Set to a text by Thomas Carew, this gentle setting contains shifting meters and some challenging harmonies. Difficulty rating 3. $1.15
Drei Lieder (Ich liebe dich/Three Love Songs), by Beethoven, Grieg, and Beibl, German/English text, Carl Fisher, CM8521, SATB a cappella. These three settings by Franz Biebl are quite accessible. Born in 1906, his music and arrangements gained in popularity after World War II. Difficulty rating 3. $1.30
Harvest Home, by Elliott Carter, English text, Boosey, OCTB7092, SATB a cappella. Filled with challenging counterpoint and harmonies, numerous articulation marks, and extremes in dynamics, this piece requires a very accomplished chorus. Filled with lyrical charm to a text by Robert Herrick, Carter wrote this piece in 1937. After the first performance, the piece experienced obscurity until John Oliver performed and recorded it in 1997. Difficulty rating 5. $2.75
Two Poems of Edward Thomas, by Howard Skempton, English text, Oxford, 343228-5, SATB a cappella. Commissioned by the Council for the Protection of Rural England, Two Pewits and Sowing are filled with intervalic challenges. Sparse harmonies and unusual voice writing dominate both. Difficulty rating 4. $1.40
Treble Voices ~ Secular
A Bunch of Thyme, by Michael Neaum, English text, Presser, 75409, SSA, Solo, & piano. This luscious setting is in the unusual key of F# Major. The fluid piano part requires an accomplished player. Neaum has sensitively set numerous English folksongs for treble voices. The solo requires a rich alto voice. Difficulty rating 3. $2.50
Kolibel’ Naya Pesnya (Lullaby, op. 16, No. 1) by Peter Tchaikovsky, Russian text, Plymouth, HLCC-203, SSA, S solo, & piano. This mournful lullaby requires an accomplished pianist. Set in Russian, this arrangement has some diction suggestions. The soloist should have a rich, warm voice. Difficulty rating 2-3. $1.25
Let’s Be Gay, by Elliott Carter, English text, Boosey, OCTB7091, SSA & piano four hands. This setting of a John Gay text taken from The Beggar’s Opera has tremendous intervalic and rhythmic challenges. A forgotten score written in 1937, the John Oliver Chorale performed and recorded the piece in 1997. Difficulty rating 5. $2.75
Object Lesson, by Matthew Harris, English text, Hal Leonard, HL50483158, SSAA a cappella. Matthew Harris is a clever composer who constructs repeated motivic patterns that move from part to part to form a tremendous musical effect. Minimalist in much of the musical and intervalic structure, these three pieces will be fabulous on children’s voices. Difficulty rating 4. $1.75
P’tit Galop, Colinda, arr. Susan Brumfield, Cajun text, Plymouth, HL-252, SSAA, fiddle, & piano. This quodlibet combines two Cajun dance tunes, “P’tit Galop Pour Mamou” and “Colinda.” This piece is part of the Southwest Louisiana history and explores our French origins in tune and rhythm. Difficulty rating 4. $1.35
The Rose of Avontown, by Mrs. H.H.A. Beach, English text, Walton, WLC-2003, SSAA, S solo, & piano. This great piece by America’s first recognized woman composer is back in print after over 100 years. Written for trebles and orchestra, the piece contains wonderful harmonies and elegant counterpoint set to a text by Caroline Mischka. Perfect for a concert celebrating American music. Difficulty rating 4. $2.50
There is a Garden (from Trouble in Tahiti), by Leonard Bernstein, English text, Boosey, OCTB6816, unison & piano. This is the perfect piece to teach children to sing a powerful text with artistic expression on shifting meters and changing key signatures. Difficulty rating 3. $1.40
The Juggler, by James Bennighof, English text, Oxford, 95.420, SA & piano. This is a clever song that will be great fun to sing as you teach children to perform in parts. The voice writing is meant to imitate the balls as they go into the air. The minimalist optional middle section holds rhythmic challenge and offers the teacher a fine opportunity to teach straightforward rhythms between three parts. Difficulty rating 2. $1.60
Men’s Voices ~ Secular
Im Sommer (In Summer), by Hugo Wolf, German/English text, National, NMP-248, TTBB a cappella. Encouraged by Hans Richter at the Viennese Opera House, Wolf wrote this piece as one of four for men’s voices. Set to a text by Georg Jacobi, this effective work is filled with rich, dark harmonies that are set
homophonically. This edition by Robert Carl is based on a copy of the MS found in the Vienna Municipal Library and contains program notes and background on this great composer of the romantic period. Difficulty rating 3. $1.30Paul Revere’s Ride, by Dudley Buck, English text, Walton, WLC-3003, TTBB, & piano. This is a great piece of historic American music. Set to the famous poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow Paul Revere’s Ride, Buck wrote this piece with the epigraph My Country, ‘Tis of Thee I Sing in 1898. The work is dedicated to Benjamin J. Lang’s Apollo Club of Boston, one of the foremost men’s choruses of the day. This edition is a reprint of an 1898 G. Schirmer piano-vocal score. Difficulty rating 4. $2.50
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