FROM "AN ALASKA BESTIARY":
Cost: $5.00
The poetry for this cycle of Alaskan songs comes from the pen of a former
Alaska Poet Laureate, Sheila Nickerson from Juneau, and represents selections
from Feast of the Animals: An Alaskan Bestiary, Vols. I and II. Music for the
song cycle was written 1990 and is scored for solo mezzo soprano (or baritone)
accompanied by piano. It utilizes the musical technique of wordpainting, in that
each song describes musically a particular animal's appearance and/or behavior.
Listen for the graceful, sweeping flight of the Great Blue Heron, the majestic
march of the Caribou, the frantic Ground Squirrel gathering winter food and then
hibernating in a deep, silent sleep. The song cycle is classically based, and
the songs are very short. Performance time: Approx. 12
minutes. Eighteen pages inc/cover. Price: $5.00
Download PDF file that includes one of the songs: "Heron" (File size 1.3
MEG)
Download MP3 audio file of: (NOTE: All files have voice played by piano
in addition to accompaniment)
-
Great Blue Heron (.1
MEG)
-
Caribou (.5
MEG)
-
Alaska Little Brown Bat (.3 MEG)
-
Ground Squirrel (.08
MEG)
-
Dragonfly (1
MEG)
-
Mallard (.13
MEG)
-
Puffin (.15 MEG)
-
Raven (1 MEG)
"AND THE TREES DO MOAN"
Cost: $5.00
This arrangement is based on a Southern Mountain folksong. It is scored for
mezzo soloist with piano and flute accompaniment. A women's chorus, preferably
off stage, provides the "moaning" of the trees in the background.
Vocal score with piano and flute parts. Performance time: Approx. 5 minutes. Price: $5.00
Download free PDF file that includes the first two pages of the score.
Download free WMA audio file of entire score. (.8 MEG) (Voices are represented by piano)
"AT
THE HOUR OF MIDNIGHT"
Cost: $5.00
The
Hispanic-flavored choir concert I was accompanying needed a special opening
number, preferably involving the children's chorus that regularly sang with
the Fairbanks Choral Society. I found this little traditional Spanish
folksong that seemed to fit our needs, and I decided to have the children
enter from the back of the auditorium singing their "LaLa" section;
this way the children would not have to concentrate on remembering a lot of
lyrics as they walked in. The adult choir was already on-stage, and we
also had a special guitarist with us for this concert, so I added him to the
mix. Program note: Any C instruments such as flute, oboe or
recorder may be used in place of, or in addition to, the guitar; Latin
American percussion instruments may also be added if desired. Price: $5.00
Download free PDF file that includes the first two pages of the score.
Download free WMA file of entire score. (.6 MEG) (Voices are
represented by piano)
Cost: $5.00
This song was
written for two Australian girls who were living for the school year in
Fairbanks. It is an arrangement of a traditional Australian carol,
and six different species of Australian birds are mentioned in the lyrics.
It may be performed as a duet, or by a 2-part treble chorus. The original
carol was in 6/8 time and had a lilting rhythm; I was enchanted by it and
wanted to retain the "lilt", which is enhanced by the flute melody
in the introduction and interludes at the end of each verse. To
make the verses more cohesive and add to the anticipation between verses, each
of the piano/flute interludes pulls the music 1/2 step higher; and on the last
page of the carol the flute does a little trilling in imitation of the birds. Price: $5.00
Download free PDF file that includes the first two pages of the score.
Download free WMA audio file of entire score. (1.2 MEG) (Voices are
represented by piano)
"MY
MASTER HATH A GARDEN" (arrangement)
Cost: $5.00
This arrangement of an old Dutch hymn was originally written for performance
by the Fairbanks Choral Society. Now, after some reworking, it is available on
this website for public use. It is scored for SATB choir, organ, flute and opt.
percussion. It would be appropriate for a Christmas (or any other time of year)
concert. PRICE: $5.00, which includes instrumental parts. Performance time:
5-6 minutes.
Download free PDF file that includes the first two pages of the score.
Download free WMA audio file of entire score. (.8 MEG) (Voices are
represented by piano)
"STAR
OF THE EAST (arrangement)"
Cost: $5.00
A Kentucky FolkHymn was the source of this piece, which is arranged for SATB
choir with Children, Organ, Brass and Percussion. The arrangement was premiered
by the Fairbanks Choral Society and Fairbanks Children's Choir and CHORUS! The
traditional poetry is beautiful and descriptive, and the music begins soft but
progresses in dynamics and key signature changes to add grandeur to the ending.
PRICE: $5.00, which includes all instrumental music. Performance time:
5-6 minutes.
Download free PDF file that includes the first two pages of the score.
Download free WMA audio file of entire score. (1 MEG) (Voices are
represented by piano)