FromthePresident’sPen
Mayisabridge amomentsuspendedbetweenwhathasendedandwhatisjustbeginning.
For many, May marks a milestone: graduation. Across school gymnasiums and university greens, caps are tossed into the air like seeds on the wind The word commencement may seem ironic at first after all, it signifiestheendofyearsofwork,study,andfamiliarroutine.Buttheworditselfmeans“abeginning,”and thereinliesitstruth.Graduationisnotjustaconclusion;itisanopeningchapter,athreshold.
There is something poignant about endings, especially those wrapped in ceremony They remind us that time does not wait. Children grow into adults. Students become professionals. Friendships evolve. Lives moveforward.Yet,thebeautyofMayisinitsduality:itistheseasonofbothreflectionandanticipation.It allowsustohonorwhathaspassedwhilenurturinghopeforwhat’sahead
In this way, May teaches us how to let go with grace. It shows us how to step into the unknown with courage. It reminds us that every ending, whether joyful or bittersweet, carries within it the seed of a beginning
Astheschoolbellsringforthelasttimeandspeechesechowithwordslike“dream,”“journey,”and“future,” we are invited to do the same in our own lives Whether we are donning a cap and gown or simply witnessingsomeoneelse’sleap,Mayoffersusallachancetorecommit togrowth,tochange,tobecoming Letuswalkforwardwiththewisdomofwhathasbeenandtheexcitementofwhatisyettocome.
Asyoubeginyourbreak,Ihopeyouwilltakesometimetoreadthroughthisissuethatisfilledwithgreat repertoirelists.
Best,
JonathanOwen SWACDAPresident
R&R
Repertoire
ElAireBaila–JakeRunestad
JakeRunestadMusic
RayvonTJMoore
4YearCollege&University
SATB,solovoice,piano,&percussion(shakers,clave,andoptionalcongas). Such a fun piece! Jake does an awesome job of bringing this vibrant text to life. You can feel the wind dancing which makes you the listener, or the performer, want to join in the party and dance along. This might be a challenge at first with the intricate rhythms and foreign language, however it is well worth it. Therearerepetitivesectionswhichhelp.Thisissuretobeacrowd favorite!
https://jakerunestadcom/products/el-aire-baila?srsltid=AfmBOoqA2J5TBb2tJ3UBw1gpyx4lWWE1LeQrNwai9yp1UlVWiZJBTD7
ExamineMe–CedricDent
WaltonMusic
SATB,accompanied.Canbeperformedwithorchestra!
Withtextandmusicbothwrittenbythecomposer,thespeakerasksforGod’smercyastheirheartisbeing tried.Itisaccessiblehavingmomentsofunisonbetweenthesopranosandaltosandthetenorsandbasses. Thoughitisaccompaniedthereisashortacappellasectionincanon.Itcouldbeagreatcloseroropeneras itendswithtriumphantamens!
https://giamusiccom/resource/examine-me-vocal-score-print-ww1882
Equalityisintheairwebreathe–GwynethWalker
E.C.Shirmer
SATB,accompanied
AdramaticsettingofpowerfultextbyLangstonHughes.ThepoemspeaksaboutAmericanbeingalandof promise and freedom, yet it is unfulfilled. The piece begins with lines spoken by members of the choir callingustogetherinunity.Ifyouhaveawonderfulcollaborativepianistthiswouldbeawonderfulwayfor themtobefeaturedaswell!
https://www.morningstarmusic.com/equality-is-in-the-air-we-breathe-walker.html
ValiantforTruth–RalphVaughanWilliams
OxfordUniversityPress
SATB,acappella
ThismotetisbasedonapassagefromJohnBunyan'sThePilgrim'sProgress,whereMrValiantfor-Truthreflectsonhisapproachingdeath.Itendswithhisarrivalinheaven,asthechoirechoesthesound of “the trumpets [sounding] for him on the other side.”This is a great piece if you have some strong altos. Thiswouldworkwellinathemedprogramaboutlife,death,andlifeafterdeath. https://global.oup.com/academic/product/valiant-for-truth-9780193535299?cc=us&lang=en&#
ThatThingWithin–StaceyV.Gibbs
SantaBarbaraMusicPublishing SATB,acappella
Beautiful new composition with very minimal divisi by Gibbs with secular text that is sure to inspire all that hear it! Perfect if you are looking for an a cappella piece to do surrounding the audience leaving a lastingimpressionofwarmth.
https://sbmp.com/SR2.php?CatalogNumber=1813
MichaelShimp ShowChoir
ArrangementsbyAnitaCracauer&BenWexler
FindyourGrail
Words&MusicbyJohnDuPrez/EricIdle
ArrangedBy:AnitaCracauer
LegendsAreMade
Words&MusicbySamuelTinnesz&MatthewBronleewe
ArrangedBy:AnitaCracauer
LongLive
Words&MusicbyTaylorSwift
ArrangedBy:AnitaCracauer
NeverLookBack
Music&LyricsbyBenWexler
Open
Music&LyricsbyBenWexler
MoreArrangementsfromthesecomposersathttps://showchoirstock.com/
ArrangementsbyJeffreyBowen
Abracadabra
Music&LyricsbyLadyGaga
ArrangedBy:JeffreyBowen
IDon’tHaveaClue
ArrangedBy:JeffreyBowen
StandOut
ArrangedBy:JeffreyBowen
MoreArrangementsfromthiscomposerathttps://showchoirmusiccom/
R&R Repertoire
ArrangementsbyJeremyLandig
Applause
ShowChoir
Continued
LyricsandMusicbyDougRockwellandTovaLitvin
ArrangedBy:JeremyLandig
MadWorld
MusicandLyricsbyRolandOrzabal
ArrangedBy:JeremyLandig
WalkingonBrokenGlass
LyricsandMusicbyAnnieLennox
ArrangedBy:JeremyLandig
WhataManGottaDo
Lyrics and Music by Jess Agombar, Joe Jonas, Kevin Jonas, Nick Jonas, Dave Stewart & Ryan
Tedder
ArrangedBy:JeremyLandig
MoreArrangementsfromthiscomposerathttps://www.landigmusic.com/
ArrangementsbyTylerHenderson
BeeGeesMedley
ArrangedbyTylerHenderson
OnlyWannaDance-AsrecordedbyAlmostMonday
ArrangedbyTylerHenderson
OtherSide-AsrecordedbyMisterwivesOtherSide
ArrangedbyTylerHenderson
PerfectDay-FamousbyHokufromthemovieLegallyBlonde
ArrangedbyTylerHenderson
MoreArrangementsfromthiscomposerathttps://www.thendersonarr.com/
ArrangementsfromGarrettBreeze
LookingforGlory
AvailableSSA,SAB&SATB
WordsandMusicbyCazzBrindisandGarrettBreeze
WhileWe’reYoung
Available2-Part,TTB,SSA,SAB&SATB
WordsandMusicbyLowellAlexander&TylerCasteleton
ArrangedBy:GarrettBreeze
NeverStop
Available2-Part,SSA,SAB&SATB
WordsandMusicbyMichaelBergRaunick&GarrettBreeze
MoreArrangementsfromthiscomposerathttps://garrettbreeze.com/
Dr.JoshuaOppenheim SWACDAPresident-Elect
When selecting repertoire for my fall concert this year, I wanted to explore all new pieces nothing I’d programmedbefore OnceIstartedsearching,Iabsolutelyfellinlovewithbuildingthisprogram
There was such an incredibly wide range of style, color, and emotion, and the students were hooked from the very first rehearsal Every piece sparked something different, and watching them connect so deeply with the music(andwitheachother)wasoneoftherealjoysofthesemester.
Hattiptothestudentsforthetitle Femininomenon anewwordtome(shout-outtoChappellRoan).I’ddo everysinglepieceonthisprogramagain.
1.OOriens–MelissaDunphy
Voicing:SATBacappella
Publisher:MormolykePress
Link:https://www.jwpepper.com/o-oriens-11377604-746841/p
It starts in complete stillness and gradually builds into something glowing and radiant. It was especially movingwhenweperformeditinacathedral.
2.TheBreadthofBlossoms–CherylB.Engelhardt
Voicing:SSATBacappella
Publisher:SubitoMusic
Link:https://storesubitomusiccom/indexphp?
main page=product info&cPath=3 120 2095&products id=10915
It’s deceptively sparse at first, but the breath effects and shifting harmonies pull you in. It ended up becomingoneofourmostimmersivepieces.
3.RippleEffect–SarahQuartel
Voicing:SATBwithsemi-chorusandcello
Publisher:OxfordUniversityPress
Link:https://www.jwpepper.com/Ripple-Effect/11407909.item
Such a dramatic piece the semi-chorus and full chorus are expertly woven together by Quartel CombiningtextsbyHildegardofBingenandMotherTeresa,theworkfeaturesripplingostinationtheword love,withthechoirbecomingtheorchestrathatsurroundsthesolocellist Chef’skiss,
4.SingtotheMoon–LauraMvula,arr.BobChilcott
Voicing:SATBdivisi
Publisher:HalLeonard
Link:https://www.jwpepper.com/Sing-to-the-Moon/11398403.item
Originally created for the BBC Singers, this arrangement offers an intimate and captivating experience. With rich divisi textures and a modern harmonic language, it feels sophisticated but remains totally accessibleforaudiences
Dr.JoshuaOppenheim
5.Time–JenniferLucyCook Voicing:SATBacappella
Publisher:HalLeonard
Link:https://www.jwpepper.com/Time/11321813.item
Suchafunpiecetosingandgrooveto ithasadefiniteRealGroupvibe.Totallydelightfulforbothsingers andaudience.
6.AppleTree–AuroraAksnes,OddMartinSkaalnes,MagnusSkylstad;arr.KaterinaGimon Voicing:SATBacappellawithbodypercussion
Publisher:HalLeonard
Link:https://www.jwpepper.com/Apple-Tree/11513462.item
Grounded, earthy energy like the ensemble was casting a spell. The arrangement includes both percussion and body percussion, and the lyrics explore the potential hidden in all of us, resonating especiallywithyoungperformers.
7.AftertheStormPasses–DaleTrumbore Voicing:SATBwithsoloists
Publisher:GraphitePublishing
Link:https://wwwdaletrumborecom/storm
Thiswasthemostchallengingpieceintheset rhythmicallyandharmonicallydemanding,butabsolutely within reach for advanced ensembles with strong independence. It has dramatic, intense moments and feelslikeafullconcertpackedintoasinglework
8.AndtheSwallow–CarolineShaw Voicing:SSAATTBBacappella
Publisher:CarolineShawEditions
Link:https://caroline-shaw-editionsmyshopifycom/products/and-the-swallow
A setting of Psalm 84, this piece was first performed by the Netherlands Chamber Choir Its intricate harmonies and serene textures make it a standout The speech-like phrasing and lush harmonic writing createatexturethat’sbothintimateandexpansive”
9.Tuttarana–ReenaEsmail Voicing:SATB(upto7-partdivisi)
Publisher:Self-published
Link:https://www.reenaesmail.com/product/tuttarana/ Thiswaspureadrenaline.BlendingtheItalianwordtutti(all)withtheHindustanitermtarana(arhythmic vocal form), the singers loved the relentless drive and the way the Hindustani patterns pushed against Westernchoralstructure
