Constant began as an original song by Amy Gordon in 2007, written in her college days. The lyrics and poignant melody express deep gratitude to those people in our lives who are by our sides for a long time. This “constant” could be a romantic partner, a parent, friend, community, or any entity whose lasting presence brings deep comfort, even in times of hardship. This arrangement for SSATBB reimagines this song in a lush, choral settng featuring rich harmonies and vocal jazz-inspired instrumental textures.
This piece would fit well in a concert about friendship and/or featuring a Mixed Voice Choir or 6-voice Jazz Choir.
VIRTUAL CHOIR VIDEO OF “CONSTANT” BY PRETEND CHOIR
CREDITS:
Performed by Pretend Choir, a worldwide virtual choir
Director: Jacob A. Beal
Audio engineer: David Zeppieri
Song video: David Zeppieri
Performers: Tom Griffiths, Kate Ullman, Dawn Penguin, Rose Dickson, Dan Inglis, Tracey Vacher
When Hearts Overflow, commissioned by Kelly Ann Self and the Orange Coast College Chorale, sets the beautiful poem by Kelly Ann Self. The text is a reminder that we can overcome pain and hardship if we unite, both figuratively and literally, in singing. The musical texture alternates between legato vocal lines accompanied by flowing piano arpeggios and punchier vocal statements supported by contrapuntal piano dialogue, acting as a metaphor for continuously finding joy amidst difficult times.
This piece is suitable for any Mixed-Voice ensemble and would fit well in any concert about mental health.
The music and lyrics of We Have a Choice were composed as a reaction to the COVID-19 crisis. The piece explores aleatoric and performer-based textures that can be sung remotely through video conferencing platforms, such as Zoom. The text explores our ability to choose our own paths and reactions in every situation, hopefully ultimately choosing to embrace the story with love, joy, hope, and peace.
The piece alternates between mostly-unison chant-like textures and aleatoric branching textures, in which the performers may choose their own path.
This piece is suitable for any Mixed-Voice Choir interested in exploring virtual singing and limited- aleatoric textures that give performers ownership of the material.
Three Lullabies is a three-movement song cycle for Mezzo Soprano, Tenor, and Piano. This suite of lullabies is rhythmically, melodically, and harmonically accessible to children and would fit nicely into any classical concert for children or a younger audience.
The first song Nini Baba Nini, from the book The Far Pavilions by M.M. Kaye, is a sweet Hindi text that describes the happiness of being able to provide food, and thus sleep, for one’s child. The setting of this poem superimposes the English translation against the original Hindi text.
The second song Villanelle of Sunset is a text by Ernest Dowson. A villanelle is traditionally a nineteen-line poem containing only two rhymes, “rest” and “day” in this villanelle. The melody and accompaniment are reminiscent of an American folk tune to reflect the strong imagery of the West in the text.
The third song In the Morning sets the text written by Amy Gordon. The music is simple and gentle in order to lull a child to sleep, despite the difficult conditions in the outside world.
Continue reading Three Lullabies
The Traveler is an art song for Tenor (or possibly Baritone) and piano that explores the mindset of a traveler or vagabond as he or she explores the world. The text, also written by Amy Gordon, describes the traveler’s eternal struggle between calling somewhere home and an intense desire to be freely roam.
Continue reading The Traveler