SIGHTREADING SESSION
Posted 3/27/99
The Sightreading Session - Saturday, 9:15 A.M.to 10:45 A.M. The following conductors that will take part are listed below with their selections. PLEASE NOTE: The Sightreading will start on time and end on time.
Sightreading music will be available for purchase after the sightreading, including the Big Sing numbers for 2000.
Thanks to Schmitt's Music, in Minneapolis for providing the music for this session.
Ann Koop Hunsberger - 14 minutes *Big Sing selections for 2000 in Winnipeg Ron Nelson - 14 minutes Mark Howarth - 14 minutes |
Randy Wilson - 10 minutes Tim Jarnot - 10 minutes David Dryg - 7 minutes Pam Burkhardt - 10minutes Charles Carrera - 6 minutes |
Posted 3/20/99
Directors,
There are 28 selections on this sightreading list. It will probably be trimmed down in the end, but I wanted you to look at the list and see if there are selections that you would be interested in directing at the sightreading session.
The list breaks down this way.
20 of the selections are new 1998 publications
3 of the selections are Big Sing numbers for next year. Ann Koop-Hunsberger
(Winnipeg) will direct these at the sightreading session.
The remaining 5 selections and publication dates are as follows:
Amazing Grace - 1978
De Animals - 1936
Jimmy Crack Corn - 1997
This Train - 1997
Little Drummer Boy - 1956
I did make an effort to pick music that has not been part of previous Big Sing sightreading sessions - hence, all the new publications. I have several copies of all the selections and I will gladly send you any selection(s) that you wish to conduct.
If you decide to help with this session, you have the option of using your own accompanist or using one of our accompanists.
You may select 1 or 2 selections from the list to rehearse, but please put down 3 or 4 choices in case I have duplicates. There is a wide variety of styles to choose from, including spirituals, folk songs, sea shanties, Christmas, pop, sacred... and there is a variety of voicings, ie, 2 part, 3 part, and 4 part. Hopefully there will be something that will fit your taste.
The descriptions on the list are from JW Pepper. Of course, they have a knack for making any title sound like a "must have" piece. I know you will be selecting the music "blind," probably never seen the score before, but, I did narrow the list down to titles that looked very singable and that would work well with our choruses.
If you want to participate in this, and don't care which selection(s) you wish to conduct, let me know that and I will just assign you 1 or 2 numbers. And, lastly, if there is a selection that has not been previously used in a sightreading session, and that you have a desire to conduct, please let me know what it is and we can include it in the reading session.
Now, I do need to finalize the list quickly - cut some numbers, add others, and get the final list to Schmitt music so they can order the music from the publisher in time for the Big Sing. So please get back to me as quickly as possible. Also, please inform me if you want to use your accompanist or our accompanist. The sightreading session has always been important to our chorus, and we have relied on it in planning our yearly programs. We are looking forward to another profitable session.
Charles Carrera
Director, Marshall Area Men's Chorus
103 Marlene Street
Marshall, MN 56258
(507) 532-5086
Email: carrera@starpoint.net
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AMAZING GRACE ( LOJESKI ) TTBB ....Grade-3
Hal Leonard Corporation (1978) 1267327 . . . . . 1.25
..._arr. Ed Lojeski. Basic limited ranges and a gospel styling in both
4/4 and 3/4 meters make this an excellent title for TTBB church, high school,
and college choirs.
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AND I LOVE HER ( LENNON/MCCARTNEY/arr_SNYDER, A ) TTB . . . Grade-3
Hal Leonard Corporation (1998) 3142502 . . . . .1.40
..._John Lennon & Paul McCartney/Snyder. Audrey Snyder has done a
magnificent job arranging this for school choirs! It was one of the "Beatles'"
early hits, in 1964, and it translates beautifully for choral singing. An
extremely tasteful arrangement, with shimmering vocal harmonies, this will
be the pop hit of your program! Highly recommended!
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ANNIE LAURIE ( JOHNSON, V ) TTB . . . . Grade-3
Hal Leonard Corporation (1998) 3142544 . . 1.25
..._arr. Victor Johnson. Here is Robert Burns' beautiful Scottish song
in an expressive, emotional setting. Supported by a flowing accompaniment,
which drops out for a very impressive a cappella verse, this is a stunning
setting for men's voices!
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BROTHERS FOREVER ( GILPIN, G ) TTB. . . . Grade-3
Shawnee Press (1998) 3149929 . . . . .1.40
..._Greg Gilpin. A great change of pace for male choruses! "Brothers
forever, best friends through it all..." This is a stirring, very special
friendship song that will fill your tenors and basses with a sense of fellowship
and pride in the music they make together!
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CINDY ( JOHNSON, N ) TBB ....Grade-3
Lorenz Corporation (1998) 3129095 . . . . . 1.40
..._arr. Neil Johnson. A real crowd-pleaser from beginning to end! This
lively, clever arrangement of the American folksong classic is easy to sing,
yet full of delightful rhythmic twists and lyrical effects, making it an
exceptionally fresh-sounding and entertaining concert/festival selection
for developing choirs. Not only is this loads of fun, but it really sparkles!
Highly recommended!
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COLORADO TRAIL ( MOORE, D ) TTB ....Grade-3
Brilee Music Publishing Co. (1998) 3126133 . . . . . 1.25
..._arr. Donald Moore. Your male chorus will love this! "Colorado
Trail" has one of the most beautiful folk melodies, and an emotional
text that expresses the loneliness of the cowboys and trail riders far from
home. A refreshing change of pace from the usual concert fare for male voices,
this lush, richly voiced setting will really let your singers shine! Highly
recommended!
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DE ANIMALS ACOMING ( BARTHOLOMEW ) TTBB ....Grade-3
G. Schirmer, Inc (1936) 396093 . . . . . 1.40
(Spiritual)_arr. Marshall Bartholomew. This outstanding arrangement is
a basic cornerstone of any good male chorus library, and every student that
sings in a male chorus should have the experience of singing it!
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DRY BONES ( MOORE, D ) TTBB. . .Grade-3
Warner Brothers Music Pub. (1998) 3139425 . . . . . 1.30
..._arr. Donald Moore. What a phenomenal a cappella feature for men!
Light and rhythmic all the way, with finger snaps, this will really let
your male choir shine. It's faithful to the original, with all the expected
chromatic rising and falling and accompanying rises and falls in dynamics,
but it is voiced in solid chords throughout, which makes it easy to sing
and helps it deliver great rhythmic impact in performance. Highly recommended!
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FELIZ NAVIDAD ( FELICIANO, J/arr_LEAVITT, J ) TTB. . . . . Grade-3
Hal Leonard Corporation (1998) 3143146 . . . . .1.40
..._Jose Feliciano/Leavitt. Finally, a voicing of the classic Jose Feliciano
song for men's voices! Percussion and bass are optional, but a party attitude
is required!
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FIRST NOEL/PACHELBELS CANON ( CLAWSON, M ) TBB . . .Grade-3
Alfred Publishing Co., Inc. (1998) 3127040 . . . . .1.40
..._arr. Michael Clawson. Here's a new voicing for male singers of Alfred
Choral Design's best selling choral work of all time. And it's as effective
for men as it is for mixed choirs and women's choirs. Michael Clawson skillfully
interweaves The First Noel and Pachelbel's famous canon to create an exquisitely
textured choral work which has become a classic for school and church choirs
of all ages and levels of ability. The accompaniment is for two pianists
at one piano, or it may be played on one organ.
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GREAT PRETENDER ( EMERSON, R ) TTBB . . . Grade-3
Hal Leonard Corporation (1998) 3143385 . . . . .1.40
..._arr. Roger Emerson. Hooray! This #1 hit from 1956 by "The Platters"
is now available for mixed and men's choirs, and in a terrific arrangement,
too! It's one of the all-time great pop tunes, in a singable arrangement
that will be a blast for your students and a healthy dose of nostalgia for
the parents and grandparents in your audience! Very highly recommended!
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JIMMY CRACK CORN ( SPEVACEK, L ) TBB . . . Grade-3
Shawnee Press (1997) 3129855 . . . . .1.40
(Blue Tail Fly)_arr. Linda Spevacek. Don't miss this extremely clever,
refreshing treatment of the traditional American folk song! While the baritones
sing and tell the story, the tenors and basses sing backup figures on "doo-doo-doom-doom,"
creating a thoroughly delightful effect, and the piano accompaniment is
simple enough to allow the voices to shine throughout. This is a very entertaining
concert feature that will be every bit as much fun for your students to
sing as it is for your audiences to hear! Highly recommended!
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LITTLE DRUMMER BOY ( FUNK, J ) TBB or TTBB. . . Grade-3
Warner Brothers Music Pub. (1956) 3138971 . . . . .1.40
..._arr. Jeff Funk. An impressive feature for the men in your choir!
Tasteful, sensitive and musical in every respect, Jeff's setting does full
justice to the wonderful, magical quality of the original. Complete with
a part for snare or hand drum, this will have your men sounding great in
no time! Highly recommended!
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OLD TIME ROCK AND ROLL ( FUNK, J ) TBB . . . Grade-3.
Warner Brothers Music Pub. (1998) 3141561 . . . . .1.40
..._arr. Jeff Funk. The quintessential rock and roll anthem! This 70's
super-hit from Bob Seger and "The Silver Bullet Band" continues
to be one of the most popular songs ever. Jeff Funk has captured all the
fun and excitement of the original tune and created a singable choral arrangement
that is a must for your next concert! Highly recommended!
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OUT OF THE ROLLING OCEAN ( FUNK, J ) TBB . . . Grade-3
Warner Brothers Music Pub. (1998) 3140662 . . . . .1.30
..._Jeff Funk. Here's a superb original concert work, inspired by the
Walt Whitman poem, "Out Of The Rolling Ocean The Crowd." Its flowing
musical lines recreate the flow of rolling waves, while the text paints
a reflective, picturesque image. A strong choice for concert, contest or
festival!
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PARTY ROCK (LOJESKI, E.) TBB . . . Grade-3
Hal Leonard Corporation (1998) 3114964 . . . . .1.95
..._arr. Ed Lojeski. Here are three classic pop hits for guys in a super
6-minute medley! Included are: Do Wah Diddy Diddy; Gimme Some Lovin' and
Takin' Care Of Business.
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POOR WAYFARING STRANGER ( ESTES, J ) TTB . . . . . Grade-3
Alfred Publishing Co., Inc. (1998) 3127693 . . . . .1.40
..._arr. Jerry Estes. An exceptionally nice piano accompaniment adds
sparkle to this fresh, walking-tempo treatment of the popular American folk
song. Skillful part writing for the voices, with alternating homophonic
and contrapuntal textures, also makes this a strong choice for concert or
festival. Easy and very effective!
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ROCKING AROUND THE CHRISTMAS TREE ( SHAW, K ) TTBB. . . . .Grade-3
Hal Leonard Corporation (1998) 3144730 . . . . . . .1.40
..._arr. Kirby Shaw. Now, who would have guessed that this 50's pop holiday
classic would work as an a cappella doo-wop arrangement? Well, it sure does
work! The perfect novelty number for unaccompanied voices, this is clever,
effective, and loads of fun!
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REUBEN RANZO ( SINGH, V ) TB . . . . Grade-3
Brilee Music Publishing Co. (1998) 3126356 . . . . .1.25
..._arr. Vijay Singh. You too will cheer for "Reuben Ranzo"
as you follow his career on the high seas, from sailing novice to skipper
of his own "china clipper." It's a rollicking, fun sea chantey
for two-part male voices. (An occasional third part is optional.) A delightful
whistling section adds an extra-special touch to this entertaining folksong-novelty!
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SHEPHERDS SPIRITUAL ( MOORE, D ) TB. . . . Grade-3
Brilee Music Publishing Co. (1998) 3126398 . . . . . .1.25
..._arr. Donald Moore. Here's a swingin' gospel treatment of Rise Up,
Shepherd, And Follow that your male ensemble will enjoy singing year after
year! It's a great confidence-builder, an exciting audience-pleaser, and
just plain fun for all involved, especially when you use the tambourine
part! Highly recommended!
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STAR OF WONDER ( FUNK, J ) TTBB or TBB. . .Grade-3
Warner Brothers Music Pub. (1998) 3139078 . . . . . 1.30
(Medley)_arr. Jeff Funk. What a great way to showcase your men's voices
at Christmas! Four of the most popular carols have been sensitively arranged
in this superb medley: We Three Kings Of Orient Are; God Rest Ye Merry,
Gentlemen; O Come, All Ye Faithful (Adeste Fideles) and Joy To The World.
An exceptionally well-paced medley, only a little over three minutes in
duration, with tasteful variations in tempo and dynamics throughout, this
is a solid addition to the repertoire for male voices. You will want to
pull this one out every year! Highly recommended!
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THIS TRAIN ( MOORE, D ) TB ....Grade-3
Brilee Music Publishing Co. (1997) 3081957 . . . . . 1.25
..._arr. Donald Moore. This is everything you could want in a spiritual
arrangement for male voices! Easy to sing, with an energetic accompaniment
and effective half-step modulations to keep the excitement going, this is
guaranteed to showcase your TB voices in fine style!
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TICKET TO THE KINGDOM ( MOORE, D ) TTB ....Grade-3
Warner Brothers Music Pub. (1998) 3140969 . . . . . 1.30
..._Donald Moore. Up-tempo, driving and alive with rhythmic energy, this
is an irresistible spiritual! The vocal and keyboard textures thicken as
exciting key changes propel the work to an intense, powerful conclusion!
Highly recommended!
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TURN AROUND LOOK AT ME ( DRENNAN, P ) TTBB . . . Grade-3
Shawnee Press (1998) 3130416 . . . . .1.50
..._arr. Patti Drennan. If you would like to feature your male chorus on a pop hit from the 60's, be sure to consider this one, which was a big hit for "The Vogues." With an excellent keyboard part that superbly complements the voices, this is a solid, fully scored arrangement that will showcase your men's voices very nicely!
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VIVE LA COMPAGNIE ( PERRY, D ) TBB . . . . .Grade-2
Shawnee Press (1998) 3130457 . . . . .1.40
..._Dave & Jean Perry. A natural for men's voices! Few songs extol
the joys of companionship as well as this French Canadian folk song does,
so it will give your students a chance to "ham it up" on stage
as they enjoy their good fellowship through song. Simple, fun, and very
effective in performance!
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NEXT YEAR'S BIG SING SELECTIONS
Halleluja Amen G.F.Handel TTBB
Schirmer Music #38 (1950)
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Sing Out Rejoice Keith Christopher. TTBB
Hal Leonard #08703156 1.25
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Moonlight Winnipeg composer, W.H.Belyea
This is presently being published.
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