Study Op. 63 - Part 2

Jill Gallina has paired two favorite folk songs about love and freedom for a partner-song that is sure to please. “If I Had a Hammer” and “Ring Those Bells!” are both songs with powerful messages and a callto action. This energetic coupling has it all – rhythmic spoken parts catchy melodies and lively accompaniment. “Ring Those Bells!” is excellent for use in the music classroom for the study of folk songs partner-songs or for practicing rhythm skills and syncopation. It is also a great novelty piece for concert use at any time of the year.

Marti and Lois have crafted a choral arrangement full of beauty and grace with Sakura Matsuri. An original melody sets the tone while the lyric tells the story of this Japanese folk song. Simply stunning when the optional Orffinstruments are added; wonderful for multicultural study and performance.

A Gaelic Blessing is a simple and catchy piece by Craig McLeish. This piece will be particularly useful for school, junior and community choirs, and a tuneful introduction to singing simple contrapuntal lines. The second soprano part repeats the tune at bar 33 and should dominate here - the first sopranos and altos should support appropriately. Ease and beauty of tone should be of paramount importance throughout. An inspiring selection of new works from a range of contemporary composers, the Novello New Choral Series offers pieces for all types of choirs, including sacred and secular works from simple, four-part settings to more expansive, yet accessible, repertoire in an exciting variety of styles. Craig McLeish began his musical life as a chorister at St Paul's Cathedral under Barry Rose. He began composing at the age of ten and his preces and responses for four trebles are still in the repertoire. After a degree at York University he returned to London to study at the Guildhall and sang again at St Paul's as a tenor. At the time he also arranged and copied music for West End shows such as Les Miserables and Miss Saigon, and played bass guitar for various groups. This led to a spell in the cult pop band 'Fat and Frantic', who shaved the top 100 twice with the whimsical anthem Last night my wife hoovered my head. He also worked as musical assistant for David Heneker (Half a Sixpence) and David Fanshawe (African Sanctus). In 1992 Craig became director of the Methodist Association of Youth Clubs Orchestra and Singers, performing concerts throughout the UK and becoming involved in a number of recordings and BBC broadcasts. During this time he arranged more than 250 orchestral scores ranging from Queen to Calamity Jane, Stravinsky and Stevie Wonder. Alongside this he began arranging and writing songs for children's collections (Big Blue Planet, Love Shone Down) and producing recordings and string arrangements for various artists (Sheila Walsh, Kim Hill, Matt Redman). He is also well known as a conductor and arranger for Songs of Praise. Recently Craig has collaborated with composer Tolga Kashif writing orchestrations for the RPO's Seo Taiji Symphony, the Classic FM chart-topping CD by saxophonist Tyler Rix, and the Genesis Suite which was premiered at the Barbican. He has been musical director of Young Voices UK for 13 years, bringing large school choirs together to play with a live band and solo artists, and currently conducts the Milton Keynes Community Choir, Hart and Soul Community Choir and the Milton Keynes Youth Choir. / Choeur SSA

The last in the Rock Study Series: six pieces in pop styles grades. Primo part grades 3 - 5 with a Secondo part grades 1 - 3.Grade: 1 - 5

This book was written specifically for beginning students working with a private teacher or in an entry-level clarinet class. The author emphasizes correct hand positions, breath control, and tone production needed for a successful start on the instrument, all the while encouraging the student to develop fundamental musicianship. Particular attention is given to the concept of playing in the rich, low chalumeau range of the clarinet as well as to playing over the break between registers. Finger exercises, daily warmups, a chromatic fingering chart, and helpful tips on accessories, beginning repertoire and care of the instrument complete this insightful volume?essential for any beginning clarinetist?s bookshelf!

Dream-Songs is a short cycle of settings of Walter De La Mere suitable for solo voice but ideal also for children's voices to sing in unison. Bennett's atmospheric music provides an imaginative foil to de la Mare's wonderful poems and a stimulating work for classroom study or concert performance.

Uses: Holy Week Good Friday Scripture: Luke 2:8-15 4:9-11 22:41-43 This singular selection is a study in contrasts as it takes us from Bethlehem to Calvary. Through the angelic experience we sense the powerful emotion of Passiontide. The innocent qualities of the melody and the pure transparent textures of the piano add to the haunting effect. Easily learned this anthem leaves time to master phrasing expression and purity of tone. Available separately: SATB SAB SSA. Duration: ca. 4:28.

(from The Sound of Music)-So Long Farewell from The Sound Of Music arranged by Ed Lojeski for SAB choir with Piano accompaniment. Inspired by the memoir 'The Story of the Trapp Family Singers' by Maria von Trapp Rodgers and Hammerstein's The Sound Of Music first opened its doors on Broadway in 1959 and was turned into a popular film in 1965. The musical tells the story of Maria who is studying to become a nun at Nonnberg Abbey in Salzburg yet is struggling to fit in there due to her youthful enthusiasm energetic nature and lack of discipline. Believing that she might be happier in the outside world the Mother Abbess sends her to thevilla of a widowed naval officer to be governess to his seven children. After bringing love and music into the lives of the family Maria marries the officer and together with the children they flee the Nazi regime that has taken over their homeland. One of the musical's most cherished numbers So Long Farewell is the song the von Trapp children sing to bid their guests good night at the party at their villa. It is also sung as a reprise by the family at the Salzburg concert. To the Nazis present they are simply bringing the night's performance to an end but the external audience is aware that they are in fact also saying goodybe to their beloved Austria as they secretly plot their escape over the border to Switzerland. Watch Raincross Chorale perform this charming arrangement:

The first two carols of the set are Bennett’s own creations a study in contrasts. The first is a classic carol in common time with syncopation and a divisi Chorus. The second is the engaging African Crib Carol in 3+3+2/8 timeagain with divisi Chorus. The third is a lilting arrangement of a traditional Somerset carol. Separately or as a suite these three carols make a fine addition to seasonal school programming.F Roy Bennett was a respected musiceducator and author of the 20th century who wrote many books of music theory and history that are highly prized by primary and secondary school music teachers. As a composer he was a gifted writer of words and music for schoolchoirs as in this set of three carols.