FA ’18: MUED 376: Choral Music, Methods and Materials

Dr. van der Vat-Chromy

MUED 376: Choral Music, Methods and Materials

Conductor Name: ​Sophia Anzalone

Date: ​December 12, 2019

Concert Theme/Title: A Holiday Celebration

To be performed by: Concert Choir, Men’s Choir, Treble Choir and Youth Choir

Concert Rationale:
(Why you chose the theme and groups in this assignment.)

PROGRAM AT A GLANCE
(List pieces, composers, accompanists, soloists and instrumentalists as needed)

TITLE Composer/dates

1. Ding-a Ding-a Ding Greg Gilpin (1964-)

2. Glow Eric Whitacre (1970-)

3. Brightest and Best arr. Shawn Kirchner (1970-)

4. O Magnum Mysterium Evan Ramos (1975-)

5. Betelehemu arr. Andy Beck (1972-)

6. Bidi Bom David Eddleman (1936-)

7. Vuelie Christopher Beck (1972-)

8. Stars I Shall Find Victor C. Johnson (1978-)

9. Dance of the Sugar-Plum Fairy arr. Jeff Funk (1973-)

10. Cold Snap Mark Hayes (1953-)

11. Do You Hear What I Hear? arr. Harry Simeone (1911-2005)

12. A Holiday Road of Carols arr. Greg Gilpin (1964-)

PIECE #1
Title Ding-a Ding-a Ding
Composer Greg Gilpin
Arranger
Voicing SATB
Length 2:33
Time period/genre/style 21st century/contemporary/acapella
Sacred/secular Secular
Forces (a cappella, Acapella
instruments?)
Difficulty level & age level Medium, high school
Key(s) C minor
Meter(s) 4/4
Publisher and Publisher # Shawness Press Inc 10029457
Cost per octavo $2.50
Miscellaneous

Annotated discussion, program notes, and/or important information for

Bells are associated with the holiday season as well as celebratory and inspirational
tributes and events. This song will be your favorite choral imitating the ring and sound of
bells. Polyphonic and homophonic sections play off each other and add to the diverse
sound. An optional section allows two choirs to sing together in both musical styles.
Simplistic singing builds to majestic singing, then fades away like bells in a steeple
chiming in falling snow. "Merrily on high, hear the bells ring. Merrily, the heavens sing.
Merrily on high, hear the bells ring. O'er the earth, they ding dong ding."

PIECE #2
Title Glow
Composer Eric Whitacre
Arranger
Voicing SATB
Length 2:50
Time period/genre/style 21st century/contemporary/choral
Sacred/secular Secular
Forces (a cappella, Piano
instruments?)
Difficulty level & age level Difficult, high school
Key(s) B Major
Meter(s) 3/4
Publisher and Publisher # Hal Leonard Corporation 10558643
Cost per octavo $2.25
Miscellaneous
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Annotated discussion, program notes, and/or important information for

Simple and welcoming, ​Glow was premiered by the World of Color Honor Choir at
Disney's California Adventure Park. The Honor Choir, made up of over 700 singers from
across America, were selected to be part of the night-time spectacular Winter Dreams
show.

PIECE #3
Title Brightest and Best
Composer
Arranger Shawn Kirchner
Voicing SATB
Length 2:15
Time period/genre/style 21st century/folk/choral
Sacred/secular Secular
Forces (a cappella, Piano, stringed bass and violin
instruments?)
Difficulty level & age level Medium, high school
Key(s) G Minor
Meter(s) 2/2
Publisher and Publisher # Boosey & Hawkes, Inc 10675701
Cost per octavo $2.95
Miscellaneous

Annotated discussion, program notes, and/or important information for

This lively arrangement is based on a sturdy American hymn tune with a text by Reginald
Heber. The accompaniment provides sparks while the tune is presented first in unison,
then in canon, next adorned with mirrored countermelodies, with the refrains growing in
intensity following each verse, culminating in a dramatic, a cappella outburst.
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PIECE #4
Title O Magnum Mysterium
Composer Evan Ramos
Arranger
Voicing TTB
Length 1:29
Time period/genre/style 21st century/Renaissance/acapella
Sacred/secular Secular
Forces (a cappella, Acapella
instruments?)
Difficulty level & age level Medium, high school
Key(s) Ab Major
Meter(s) 4/4
Publisher and Publisher # BriLee Music Publishing 10586916
Cost per octavo $1.95
Miscellaneous

Annotated discussion, program notes, and/or important information for

Easy and absolutely beautiful for a cappella voices, this setting of the beloved Latin
Christmas text is a succinct and lyrical selection that will create a moment of wonder in
your concert or worship service. Simple, elegant, and haunting, this piece is a wonderful
choice for developing choirs.

PIECE #5
Title Betelehemu
Composer
Arranger Andy Beck
Voicing TTB
Length 2:30
Time period/genre/style 21st century/Nigerian Christmas Carol
Sacred/secular Secular
Forces (a cappella, Acapella, percussion
instruments?)
Difficulty level & age level Medium, high school
Key(s) C Major
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4/4 4/4
Publisher and Publisher # Alfred Music Publishing 10873057
Cost per octavo $2.05
Miscellaneous

Annotated discussion, program notes, and/or important information for

This a cappella arrangement of the Nigerian Christmas carol opens with a captivating
chant before breaking into a joyous, rhythmic celebration. This well-written adaptation
allows even developing groups to sing a beloved staple of choral repertoire.

PIECE #6
Title Bidi Bom
Composer David Eddleman
Arranger
Voicing TTB
Length 2:30
Time period/genre/style 21st century/contemporary/choral
Sacred/secular Secular
Forces (a cappella, Piano
instruments?)
Difficulty level & age level Medium, high school
Key(s) D minor
Meter(s) 2/2
Publisher and Publisher # Carl Fischer LLC 10048150
Cost per octavo $1.95
Miscellaneous

Annotated discussion, program notes, and/or important information for

You won't want to miss this delightfully festive little piece that is a superb way to
introduce a multicultural perspective into your holiday programming. Independent choral
lines build a lively counterpoint over an easily mastered piano part that keeps the dance
moving throughout the work. And, that accelerando at the coda will give your
performance a real jolt of pleasure! For holiday concerts, or any time of year, this
receives our highest recommendation!  
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PIECE #7
Title Vuelie
Composer Christopher Beck
Arranger
Voicing SSAA
Length 3:10
Time period/genre/style 21st century/Scandanavian/choral
Sacred/secular Secular
Forces (a cappella, Acapella
instruments?)
Difficulty level & age level Easy, middle or high school
Key(s) Eb
Meter(s) 4/4
Publisher and Publisher # Boosey & Hawkes, Inc 10542729
Cost per octavo $2.15
Miscellaneous

Annotated discussion, program notes, and/or important information for

Inspired by the traditional Sami ​joik,​ this arrangement, as sung by Cantus in the Disney
movie "Frozen," is a winner. The text is Scandinavian-based, perfect for a pops concert or
a concert looking for a special multicultural addition.

PIECE #8
Title Stars I Shall Find
Composer Victor C. Johnson
Arranger
Voicing SSA
Length 3:15
Time period/genre/style 21st century/contemporary/choral
Sacred/secular Secular
Forces (a cappella, Piano
instruments?)
Difficulty level & age level Medium, high school
Key(s) D Major
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Meter(s) 4/4
Publisher and Publisher # Heritage Music Press 10366693
Cost per octavo $2.05
Miscellaneous

Annotated discussion, program notes, and/or important information for

"There will be rest, and sure stars shining over the rooftops crowned with snow, a reign
of rest, serene forgetting, the music of stillness holy and low." This masterful setting of
Sara Teasdale's picturesque poem sparkles with wonderful musical imagery! Soaring
melodic lines, an artfully crafted accompaniment, contrasting dynamics, and warm,
colorful harmonies create a magical effect. This is an extraordinary choice for
performances all year! Highly recommended!

PIECE #9
Title Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairies
Composer Peter Tchaikovsky
Arranger Jeff Funk
Voicing SSAA
Length 1:40
Time period/genre/style Romantic/acapella
Sacred/secular Secular
Forces (a cappella, Acapella
instruments?)
Difficulty level & age level Medium, high school
Key(s) D Minor
Meter(s) 4/4
Publisher and Publisher # Alfred Publishing Co., Inc. 3304396
Cost per octavo $2.05
Miscellaneous

Annotated discussion, program notes, and/or important information for

Using this famous movement from the timeless holiday ballet "The Nutcracker," Jeff
Funk has created a marvelous choral arrangement for school choirs! This a cappella
showcase is the unique holiday hit of the year!
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PIECE #10
Title Cold Snap
Composer Mark Hayes
Arranger
Voicing 2 Part
Length 2:15
Time period/genre/style 21st century/Jazz/choral
Sacred/secular Secular
Forces (a cappella, Piano
instruments?)
Difficulty level & age level Easy
Key(s) E Minor
Meter(s) 4/4
Publisher and Publisher # Heritage Music Press 10590377
Cost per octavo $2.20
Miscellaneous

Annotated discussion, program notes, and/or important information for

Finger snaps, great vocal effects, and student-friendly lyrics make this a very special
winter novelty piece for young choirs! Complete with on-stage coughing, sneezing, and
optional choreography, this is a guaranteed hit! Jazzy and cool!

PIECE #11
Title Do You Hear What I Hear?
Composer
Arranger Harry Simone
Voicing 2 Part
Length 2:30
Time period/genre/style 20th century/Christmas Carol/Choral
Sacred/secular Secular
Forces (a cappella, Piano
instruments?)
Difficulty level & age level Easy
Key(s) C Major
Meter(s) 4/4
Publisher and Publisher # Shawnee Press 763110
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Cost per octavo $2.50

Annotated discussion, program notes, and/or important information for

This beautiful, haunting melody has been sung by countless numbers of singers for
almost half a century. Available in multiple voicings, with a variety of instrumental
accompaniment options, it is full and rich-sounding with choirs of any size. If your choir
has not sung this recently, investigate it again with a different accompaniment scheme, or
combine adults and children for an unforgettable addition to your December tradition. It
is a true choral standard!

PIECE #12
Title A Holiday Road of Carols
Composer
Arranger Greg Gilpin
Voicing SATB
Length 2:10
Time period/genre/style 21st century/Pop/choral
Sacred/secular Secular
Forces (a cappella, Piano, percussion
instruments?)
Difficulty level & age level Easy
Key(s) F Major
Meter(s) 2/2
Publisher and Publisher # Shawnee Press 10980580
Cost per octavo $2.15
Miscellaneous

Annotated discussion, program notes, and/or important information for

Holiday Road, made famous as the theme for "National Lampoon's Vacation," serves as
the chorus for this one-of-a-kind medley. Incorporating verses of ​Jingle Bells; Deck ​the
Hall and ​We Wish You a Merry Christmas, this selection will make a great finale for your
Christmas program.
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The program is structured in the order as follows: SATB choir, Men’s choir,

Women’s choir, and the children’s choir. The overall theme of the program is Christmas,

though I tried to make it less problematic by calling it “A Holiday Celebration,”

acknowledging different religions. For each ensemble, I strived to pick a slow piece and a

more upbeat piece, ones that audience members would remember. The program overall

needed to open with a strong piece to entice the audience and excite them for what is

coming next, showcasing the ensemble’s many talents. I tried to pick many acapella pieces,

as I believe they are the most challenging and impressive. Opting to select 21st century

pieces, I wanted to find pieces that were different and aren’t typically sung during

Christmas time, straying away from classics such as Messiah. While Messiah is a staple in

Christmas choral concerts, it is important for ensembles to look at music that is written

today. It is my hope that students would enjoy singing many of the pieces I picked, as they

are very light-hearted, fun, and different from music typical of Christmas time.