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- WELCOME TO THE KENSINGTON CHORALWORKS CATALOG -

TO ORDER... In an email to kenschor@yahoo.com, please submit the following:  1) Contact Info, including NAME and COMPLETE MAILING ADDRESS (Phone optional)    (designate separate billing information, if different from mailing)  2) TITLE(s) you are ordering---and the QUANTITY (of each)! Domestic orders placed in this manner will receive FREE SHIPPING via USPS Media Mail. (Sorry. Free shipping does not apply to international orders.) Should you prefer alternate shipping, please note that in your email. Such shipping costs will be at your expense. We'll return an invoice within 3 days, and shipment will be made once your payment has cleared. Please pay by check or money order.                                                      ---Thank you!

Grading Key: E = Easy      M/E = Moderately Easy       M = Medium Difficulty      M/A = Moderately Advanced       A = Advanced

Composer Key: CH = Curtis Heard     CJ = Cory Johnson     DN = Don Neufeld     KJF = Kent Jon Fenske KN = Ken Neufeld      LA = Lisa Alexander     PW = Peter Williams     RvH = Randy Van Horne

About the Catalog The catalog is divided into SACRED and SECULAR sections, listing works by vocal division from unison to SATB, in each of the two categories. If our music is new to you, you may wish to take a look at the “introductions,” at the top of each section. We hope you'll find this information a helpful guide to meet specific needs for your programming. But feel free to explore any and all titles. You never know what interesting gem you might find! You may view select pages from our scores by clicking on any linked (underlined) title. The link will bring you one to four pages of music per screen, which you can explore by maneuvering your zoom or scroll tabs. A “key” across the top edge of this new screen will inform you as to how many screens of music are available for that title. If more than one, a link for the “next page >>>” will appear. PLEASE NOTE: We're in the process of adding more scores for you to peruse. We're also revamping our viewing system. You'll soon find new links to these scores directly beneath each song's title. We also have plenty of sound files for your audial pleasure. Simply click on Listen..., Hear... (or any similar invitation), just below or following a piece's title. And wherever a double eighth-note symbol (♫) appears, this designates that the link is a complete recording of that piece. IMPORTANT! After placing an order, you'll receive a confirmation email from us. Should you fail to receive this confirmation within 3 days, please contact us. As you peruse these pages, please expect our music to be well-crafted, well-presented, and adhering to the highest degree of choral standards. Indeed, in its conception, superior expectations are placed on singers. Additionally, keyboard parts may require accompanists of advanced (or high-intermediate) ability. Vocal lines will be characterized by excellent voice-leading, tonal harmony, lyric melodies, and quality texts. Such hallmarks combine to afford performers and audiences, alike, a most memorable musical experience. We trust you will find a wealth of new choral repertoire here, and we hope you will return often.                                                      ---Thank you!

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SACRED MUSIC

INTRODUCTIONS

We have come up with general suggestions to help you get started in each of the following categories. You may well find many other titles that fit, according to your programming needs. CONCERT WORKS: A Psalm in Stillness / America the Beautiful / American Traditional / Come, Holy Spirit / I Lift Mine Eyes / Musica, Dei Donum Optimi / My Beloved Spake / Settings from the Book of Common Prayer / The First Noel / Veni, Sancte Spiritus / Who is at My Window? GENERAL ANTHEMS: A New Song / He Leadeth Me / Land of Pure Delight / Psalm 67 / Settings from the Book of Common Prayer (used individually) / The Voice of the Lord / Those Who Love Your Law / Three Quaker Anthems (used individually) FESTIVAL ANTHEMS: I Lift Mine Eyes / King of Glory / Our Heritage / Praise to the Lord THE TIMELESS HYMNS SERIES: Amazing and Marvelous Grace / American Traditional / Blessed Assurance / Come, Thou Fount / More Love to Thee / Our Heritage / Praise to the Lord SPIRITUALS/GOSPEL: Home in-a That Rock / King Immanuel / Kum Ba Ya / The Voice of the Lord / Wayfaring Stranger FAIRLY-EASY-TO-LEARN-IN-AN-HOUR-BEFORE-SERVICE: A New Song / Amazing and Marvelous Grace / America the Beautiful / Cantique de Jean Racine (English) / Communion Chant / Kum Ba Ya / Our Heritage / Psalm 67 / The Voice of the Lord / Three Quaker Anthems (selections) CHRISTMAS: Carols of the Heart / Hodie! Fanfare & Dance / O Come, O Come, Emmanuel / Silent Night / The First Noel / Additionally, see 'Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas' and 'The Reminder' in the SECULAR listings. Each has a religious concept or option. EASTER: An Empty Tomb LIVELIER TEMPOS: A New Song / Come, Thou Fount / Hodie! Fanfare & Dance / Home in-a That Rock / I Lift Mine Eyes / King Immanuel / Our Heritage / Praise to the Lord MEDITATIVE: A Psalm in Stillness / Cantique de Jean Racine / Communion Chant / Settings from the Book of Common Prayer (selections) SPECIFIC USE: A Parting Blessing (free download) / An Empty Tomb (semi-theatrical: spoken lines, possible staging elements, etc.) / Bring Me the Sunset / Music for Liturgical Service

Unison & Two-Part

*America the Beautiful  (KN)     Two-Part Voices, Piano (E)      KC1029 - $1.50 Fittingly patriotic, with accompaniment that mirrors the words to each verse: flowing figures depict “spacious skies, amber waves of grain;” sustained chords elicit reflection of “heroes proved;” alternate melodies and altered chords inspire “patriot dream;” sparked with the fervor of an oft-recurring martial rhythmic pattern. Originally requested for junior high voices, this setting works extremely well with more-mature ensembles. TO ORDER, SEE INSTRUCTIONS AT TOP OF PAGE.

Cantique de Jean Racine  (KN)     Two-Part Voices, Keyboard (M/E)      KC1024 - $1.50 An adaptation of Gabriel Fauré’s wonderful work, specifically for choirs of limited forces, useful in any configuration. Mr. Neufeld maintains both musical and textual integrity of this prayer, merely condensing and deftly thinning out the original SATB score. Includes both French and English lyrics. TO ORDER, SEE INSTRUCTIONS AT TOP OF PAGE.

Kum Ba Ya  (KN)     ST/AB, Piano (E)      KC1001 - $1.50 Listen to a couple excerpts... Originally a ‘Best Seller’ for its original publisher, this is definitely NOT the campfire sing-along version! Mr. Neufeld brings an incredible new approach to this simple tune. While vocal lines encompass little more than a divisi between high and low voices, the masterful touch is in the keyboard. In fact, this arrangement has been deemed “a work for piano, with vocal accompaniment.” The hymns "May the Mind of Christ..." and "The Old One-Hundredth" become counter-melodies in two separate verses. Extremely effective in any two-part combination, Kensington Choralworks is proud to re-release this still-popular and worthy setting! (Recorded by the Pendyrus Male Choir of Wales on their CD, Now is the Hour.) TO ORDER, SEE INSTRUCTIONS AT TOP OF PAGE.

*Land of Pure Delight  (KN)     SA/TB, Piano (E)      KC1019 - $1.50 A flowing, romantic melody compliments the text (adapted from Isaac Watts) in this original by Mr. Neufeld. Both unison and easy two-part writing, culminating in the final chorus’ beautiful descant, render this a “quick learn” for any choir. Simple, yet fulfilling and memorable! [5:00] TO ORDER, SEE INSTRUCTIONS AT TOP OF PAGE.

*Music for Liturgical Service  (KN)    Two-Part Voices, Cantor, Congregants, Keyboard (M/E)     KC1031 - $1.95 This collection consists of six musically inter-related selections from Christian liturgy. Reminiscent of Ralph Vaughan Williams, Kenneth Leighton and others, Mr. Neufeld adds his contemporary touches to High Church music influenced by the Anglican tradition. The works are primarily two-part (with occasional added tones, usually on final chords), but work well as unison pieces with or without congregational participation. The set includes: Opening Acclamation, Gloria, Gloria Patri, Sursum Corda, Sanctus, and Agnus Dei. TO ORDER, SEE INSTRUCTIONS AT TOP OF PAGE.

*Our Heritage  (KN)     Two-Part Voices, Keyboard (M/E)      KC1018 - $1.75 This arrangement can be performed by male, female, or mixed choruses. Celebrating our spiritual heritage, this bright, bold anthem is marked by straight-forward unison writing (with optional parts in the final bars), based on a melody by 16th-17th Century composer Bartholomäus Gesius. Accompanimental harmonies, adapted from Bach’s setting, are couched in rhythmic neo-Baroque interludes of constantly changing meter. The middle of three verses also incorporates these rhythmic ideas, presenting singers with their only real challenge. (This verse may be sung by a soloist.) Our title stems from a line in the 3rd verse: “Before us and beside us, still held in Thy great hand, a cloud of unseen witness, our heritage doth stand...” Part of the “Timeless Hymns” series. [3:00] TO ORDER, SEE INSTRUCTIONS AT TOP OF PAGE.

SSA(A)

Carols of the Heart  (PW)     SSA, Piano (M/E)     KC1039 - $1.95 These three carols are absolute gems, masterfully wrought with elegant simplicity. And out of this very simplicity, reflecting the miracle of the Christ-Child, Mr. Williams touches us with the sensitivities of each text. The miracle, here, is how he does so with such economy of note! Along with their equally rewarding companion pieces [Mr. Williams' "In the Bleak Midwinter," "Lute-Book Lullaby," and "All Men Draw Near"---listed, and sold separately, on this linked page, by Colla Voce Music (scroll down, once you get there)], these marvelous gems program well with Britten's Ceremony of Carols, and other works of such quality. They are destined to become classic Christmas repertoire for treble voices! [6:40] TO ORDER, SEE INSTRUCTIONS AT TOP OF PAGE. Here are samples of this wonderful triptych...  Listen... I. First, a transcendent mesmerizing setting of the famous medieval, There is No Rose. [1:50] II. Next, comes the heart-rending Lord Jesus Once was a Child Like Thee---and you MUST hear this piece! Such a unique, rich, and moving text, currently known only in one other choral setting (and that work is out of print). The composer perfectly grasps the depth of the poetry and sets it with utmost care and measured emotion! This bittersweet carol touches us with the mystery of God’s sacrificial love. [3:20] III. And lastly, Balulalow, an old Scottish term for ‘lullaby,’ is deftly revisited, alluding to a rocking motion, but turned into a lively joyous dance of the heart. The text, perhaps best known in settings by Benjamin Britten and Peter Warlock, is handled here with every bit as much compositional skill ...and to equally wondrous effect. [1:30]

*Hodie! Fanfare & Dance  (KN)     SSA, Piano (M)      KC1013 - $1.95 -View the score- A delightful addition to any Christmas program. The piece begins with a short a cappella fanfare, after which the piano enters, setting the mood for a rhythmic Spanish-flavored dance. The ancient Latin text is combined with new “Olde English” lyrics (written by the composer). [3:30] TO ORDER, SEE INSTRUCTIONS AT TOP OF PAGE.

...also available in an SATB edition, listed below Musica, Dei Donum Optimi  (CJ)     SSA, Piano (M/E)      KC1014 - $1.75 Ladies of Zephyr lend their voices  ♫ “Music, Exalted Gift of God” is a beautifully melodious work that practically sings itself! Harmonically stunning as well, Mr. Johnson deftly weaves melody and countermelody, over a flowing accompaniment. This is destined to become a contemporary classic in SSA repertoire. [3:00] TO ORDER, SEE INSTRUCTIONS AT TOP OF PAGE.

SAB

*Psalm 67  (KN)     SAB, Piano (M)      KC1028 - $1.75 -View the score- Though predominantly triadic, this mildly Stravinsky-like setting loses the third in frequent preference to open (and parallel) fifths. It also incorporates mild dissonance, and cross-rhythms creating brief moments of tension and relaxation. A canonic section builds the phrase “O let the nations be glad and sing,” breaking into a joyous triple meter over the accompaniment’s duple, at “sing for joy.” This concept is reiterated, slightly, in “Let the people praise Thee, O God,” which likewise intensifies in each of its two shorter re-statements. TO ORDER, SEE INSTRUCTIONS AT TOP OF PAGE.

*The Voice of the Lord  (KN)     SAB, optional solo(s), Keyboard (M/E)      KC1027 - $1.50 This is a setting of Psalm 29 in a wonderful, contagious gospel style, with typical three-part voicing. The opening section is declamatory and quasi-recitative, prior to a gentle solo (which is then repeated by the choir). A second solo completes what might be referred to as the verses, after which the choir re-enters, echoing these words (“The voice of the Lord thunders in the heavens...”), with a more obvious refrain. This builds and becomes more jubilant over another repetition before calming back down to finish the line, “and may He bless His people with peace.” Easily learned and performed, this became an instant “hit” with both choir and congregation, at its premiere! TO ORDER, SEE INSTRUCTIONS AT TOP OF PAGE.

TTB(B)

A Psalm in Stillness  (KJF)      TTBB, A Cappella (M/E)      KC1034 - $1.50 Listen... Ethereal and expansive, this chantlike motet for men’s voices is incredibly rich in texture and sonority. A lovely balance of polyphony and homophonic passages, Mr. Fenske has masterfully crafted a work of haunting beauty. This adaptation of Psalm 62 is a worthy and moving addition to the male voice repertoire. [2:45] TO ORDER, SEE INSTRUCTIONS AT TOP OF PAGE.

SATB/SSAATTBB

*A New Song  (KN)     SATB, Keyboard (M/E)      KC1005 - $1.75 -View the score- Adapted from various Psalms, this is a joyous, driving song of celebration and praise, predominantly in an uncomplicated 7/8 meter. In A-B-A form, the melody of section A is inverted for the slower, more meditative B section. A wonderful addition to services, concerts, and a satisfying accomplishment for any choir! TO ORDER, SEE INSTRUCTIONS AT TOP OF PAGE.

===> FREE DOWNLOAD <=== *A Parting Blessing  (KN)     SATB (M)      -     FREE You are welcome to download this brief benediction (in pdf file format), without charge. We merely ask that you read and understand the simple “use license” at the bottom of the score. TO VIEW AND/OR RECEIVE A COPY, click on the following link. It will take you to a pdf file that you can download, according to your browser’s instructions.     LINK HERE

*American Traditional  (KN)     SATB, Piano (M)      KC1009 - $2.25 This is a concert medley of early American hymns. From its spirited opening (‘Come, Thou Fount of Ev’ry Blessing’) to its gentle close (‘My Shepherd Will Supply My Need’), this medley encompasses marvelous vocal settings (occasional divisi in all parts), enhanced by its evocative piano score. Joyful, contemplative, triumphant, ever-sensitive to the lyric, Mr. Neufeld’s arranging “tunes our hearts to sing God’s praise.” In addition to the hymns already mentioned, the collection (rather Copland-esque, at times) includes: ‘All is Well,’ ‘O God, Our Help in Ages Past,’ ‘How Firm a Foundation,’ and ‘Wondrous Love.’ (This medley was originally commissioned for the University of Utah A Cappella Choir.) Part of the “Timeless Hymns” series. [@12:00] TO ORDER, SEE INSTRUCTIONS AT TOP OF PAGE.

*An Empty Tomb  (KN)     SSATB, Piano (M/E)      KC1021 - $2.25 This piece was commissioned with the request that it lead ‘up to,’ but not ‘into’ the joy of Easter’s “Alleluia!” An optional dramatic reading focuses on the disciples’ brokenness and confusion over Jesus’ death. The anthem extends the drama, as it relates the testimony of the three women who come from the tomb in fear, yet with excited anticipation of what the angel has told them. A powerful chorus foreshadows the triumph of the morning---and every morning thereafter. Soloists may be used for all but (preferrably) the final chorus, adding even more strength and drama to its performance. [5:30] TO ORDER, SEE INSTRUCTIONS AT TOP OF PAGE.

Blessed Assurance  (KN)     SATB w/Solo, Piano & Flute (M/E)      KC1002 - $1.50 Listen to excerpts... A lovely, sometimes rhapsodic, arrangement of this favorite hymn (by Fanny Crosby and Phoebe Knapp), incorporating Bach’s ‘Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring.’ We are happy to re-release this very effective anthem, making it part of the Timeless Hymns series. TO ORDER, SEE INSTRUCTIONS AT TOP OF PAGE.

Bring Me the Sunset (from 'A Stranger Yet')  (KN)    SATB, Piano (M/E)     KC2003 - $1.95 Hear an excerpt by the University of Miami Chambers Singers This setting of one of Emily Dickinson's best-loved poems may well find use in any program celebrating God's handiwork. The lyric (distantly reminiscent of God's communication with Job, perhaps, as well as certain Psalms) is thought-provoking, contemplative at times and exuberant at others. Likewise, the music ranges from somber to stately and almost regal, to moments of triumphal soaring. [4:40] (For more information, and a full performance, see “a stranger yet”, listed below in the SECULAR section.) TO ORDER, SEE INSTRUCTIONS AT TOP OF PAGE.

Come, Holy Spirit  (KN)     SATB, A Cappella (M)      KC1017 - $1.75 Centering around a recurring and overriding entreaty to “shine Your light upon us,” this prayer comprises a series of supplications, both personal and communal. The music, reflective of the text, varies from introspection and concern to ebullient praise and hope. The homophonic setting is segmented into three major sections: an invocation of the Holy Ghost; expression of our need of Him; and specific petitions. This work was commissioned and premiered by The Anglican Chorale of Southern California. TO ORDER, SEE INSTRUCTIONS AT TOP OF PAGE.

*Come, Thou Fount (of Every Blessing)  (KN)     SATB, Piano (M/E)      KC1022 - $1.75 A marvelously energetic and arrangement of this popular hymn. John Wyeth’s enduring melody is treated from unison through (optional) 6-part divisi; briefly a cappella, and polyphonic, at times, but predominantly wedded to a constantly moving orchestral-like accompaniment. Voice-parts lie mostly within a moderate range. If you’re seeking to “teach” your choir “some melodious sonnet, sung by flaming tongues above,” this is it! (This anthem was adapted and expanded from the medley, “American Traditional,” listed above.) Part of the “Timeless Hymns” series. [3:00] TO ORDER, SEE INSTRUCTIONS AT TOP OF PAGE.

He Leadeth Me  (KN)     SATB, Piano (M/E)      KC1016 - $1.75 While the words of the popular older hymn remain, new music now embraces the text, in this arrangement. Moments of unison, two-part, and four-part writing are all utilized, and a setting of the 23rd Psalm is fittingly folded into the mix. A charming melody, with all parts easily learned and sung, this will be a memorable and useful anthem to have available for many occasions. TO ORDER, SEE INSTRUCTIONS AT TOP OF PAGE.

Home in-a That Rock  (KN)     SSAATTBB, A Cappella (M/A)      KC1012 - $1.95 Listen... An exciting and energetic treatment, fittingly exuberant for this most-affirming of Spirituals. Propelled by its syncopations, punctuated with close harmonies, and handclaps, this setting expands from an opening baritone solo, eventually to 8-parts. Its melody is handed from voice-part to voice-part through sections of call-and-response, counter-melody, and rhythmic figures, all culminating in its rousing climax: “...no more water, but FIRE next time!” [3:00] TO ORDER, SEE INSTRUCTIONS AT TOP OF PAGE.

*I Lift Mine Eyes  (KN)     SATB, Organ (M/A)      KC1010 - $1.95 Not a setting of Psalm 121, but a text by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow: one of six poems from his translation of Dante's Divine Comedy. This is a grand festival anthem, well-suited for All Saints/All Souls Day, as well as for the dedication or anniversary of a sanctuary, and so forth. TO ORDER, SEE INSTRUCTIONS AT TOP OF PAGE.

King Immanuel  (KN)     SATB, A Cappella (E)      KC1003 - $1.75 Azusa Pacific University Choir performs  ♫ Originally written for, and recorded by, the Azusa Pacific University Choir, this is an effective, easy, predominantly call-and-response spiritual. The “traditional” feel of the opening pages belie added interest, both harmonically and rhythmically, introduced later in the piece. (Again, because it has remained a popular arrangement, we are happy to re-release it. ) [3:12] TO ORDER, SEE INSTRUCTIONS AT TOP OF PAGE.

King of Glory  (KN)     SATB, A Cappella (M/E)      KC1006 - $1.50 Listen to Troy University Chambers Singers  ♫ Sensitive to its reverent 17th-century text, honoring Christ, this is a fittingly contemplative setting. Though useful in many services, it might have specific application for “Christ, the King” Sunday. TO ORDER, SEE INSTRUCTIONS AT TOP OF PAGE.

...also available in an SSA edition, listed above Musica, Dei Donum Optimi  (CJ)     SATB, Piano (M/E)      KC1020 - $1.95 Listen...  ♫ Cory Johnson has adapted his popular SSA classic into an SATB setting. “Music, Exalted Gift of God” is beautifully melodious and harmonically stunning. Mr. Johnson deftly weaves melody and countermelody, over a flowing accompaniment. This SATB version reveals his charming version to a much wider audience. [3:00] TO ORDER, SEE INSTRUCTIONS AT TOP OF PAGE.

My Beloved Spake  (PW)     SATB, A Cappella (M/A)      KC1035 - $1.50 Listen...  ♫ In this contemporary setting of the famous text from Song of Solomon, Peter Williams utilizes a palette, reminiscent of Halsey Stevens, full of bold dissonance, yet retaining a grounded sense of tonality. The work is pervaded by a somewhat angular, but lush beauty, which strikingly complements the text. [2:00] TO ORDER, SEE INSTRUCTIONS AT TOP OF PAGE.

*O Come, O Come, Emmanuel (KN)  SATB, A Cappella (or Strings)  (M/E)  KC1007 - $1.95 Optional String Accompaniment (1 complete set of parts)    KC1007-B - $40.00 NOTE: String parts arrive as pdf files, formatted as 8.5"x11" pages. Pages print separately, and are (obviously) unbound. -See the vocal score- Singers Elite perform.  ♫ Hints of Medieval chant and Renaissance polyphony are blended into this glorious rendering of the French plainsong hymn. For a cappella voices---or (if desired) with optional strings, arranged by Don Neufeld. TO ORDER, SEE INSTRUCTIONS AT TOP OF PAGE.

*Praise to the Lord  (KN)     SATB, Keyboard (M)      KC1030 - $1.75 The German hymn, Lobe den Herren, is wonderfully wrought in this strong setting. Unison and two-part writing is offset by full SATB forces, as dictates the moment. Over a rich and varied accompaniment, melody and rhythm experience occasional re-inventing (most noticeable in an alternating 6/8-2/4 section), bringing new ideas to this mighty hymn---yet without straying far from its traditional moorings. Part of the “Timeless Hymns” series. TO ORDER, SEE INSTRUCTIONS AT TOP OF PAGE.

*Silent Night  (KN)     SATB, Piano (E)      KC1026 - $1.75 -View the score- A simple, yet striking contemporary adaptation of the beloved carol. Easily learned and performed: unison, 2- and 4-part sections mesh with a lovely accompaniment to produce a profoundly effective addition to any church, school, or community Christmas program. (This is adapted from the setting written for St. Mary’s College of Christchurch, New Zealand, originally for SA voices, piano and flute.) [3:40] TO ORDER, SEE INSTRUCTIONS AT TOP OF PAGE.

The First Noel  (DN)     SATB, Piano and/or Orchestra (M/E)      KC1033 - $2.25 Orchestral Parts (1 complete set)      KC1033-B - $85.00 NOTE: Orchestral parts arrive as pdf files. Individual instrument parts are formatted 8.5"x11"; Full score is formatted 11"x17". All pages print separately, and are (obviously) unbound. Azusa Pacific University Choir & Orchestra perform  ♫ This work has, for years, been an important part of Disneyland’s Candlelight Procession (in which the Christmas Story is told), and we are happy to make it available, in published form, for the first time. From its atmospheric opening to its sweeping final verse, Don Neufeld has given us a traditionally definitive setting of the famous carol. Primarily utilizing unison, 2- and 4-part writing, extended voicings do occur (especially for the women), all to marvelous effect. The angels’ first “noel” echoes, re-echoes and builds, in the brief but exciting introduction; a shimmering underlay accompanies the star as “to the earth it gave great light;” and the very reason for the angels’ song is emphatically stated and restated in the final page’s “Born is the King.” Masterful and effective, this arrangement is a rich and meaningful addition to any Christmas concert or service. [5:15] TO ORDER, SEE INSTRUCTIONS AT TOP OF PAGE.

*Those Who Love Your Law  (KN)     SATB, Keyboard (E)      KC1038 - $1.75 A setting of a ten-verse excerpt from Psalm 119, this anthem is characterized by lovely, melodic lines and gentle harmonies. The accompaniment (sometimes stately, often flowing) undergirds and supports both the music of the sung lines as well as the sense of the text. Three of the total eight pages return to an adaptation of previously sung material. And while the reiteration is fitting, it coincidentally trims rehearsal time. Choir and congregation will be blessed by both the words and their setting, in this piece. [5:00] TO ORDER, SEE INSTRUCTIONS AT TOP OF PAGE.

*Three Anthems on Quaker Thought  (KN)     SATB, Keyboard (E)      KC1023 - $2.25 These pieces were written for the First Friends Church of Whittier, California. Each song is, for the most part, fittingly contemplative, and predominantly serene. Vocal writing is appropriately straight-forward, and accompaniments generally simple, expressive, and amenable to organ or piano. TO ORDER, SEE INSTRUCTIONS AT TOP OF PAGE. I. This Still Room John Greenleaf Whittier writes of coming to the meeting house (“this still room”) for respite, escaping the world’s control, meeting with others of like mind to pray for common needs, and centering on the truth of God alone. If, in his lifetime, this was of importance, how much more so for us, in this often volatile and senseless age! A short easy piece, in unison and 4-part writing, it serves equally well as an anthem or a call to worship. II. My Soul Waits in Silence Adapted from Psalm 62, this selection echoes one of the main tenets of the Quaker faith: centering the mind, soul, and body on things spiritual. Out of the gentle piano introduction, a solo voice sings a beautiful refrain, which is repeated as an optional duet. The full choir then enters, exhorting us to “trust God in all things; pour out our hearts to Him; power is His, as is loving-kindness.” A highly singable and memorable hymn of hope and rest. III. Prayer of Peace Another text by John Greenleaf Whittier completes the triptych. He asks that we “fold to our hearts” those around us, for “where pity dwells, the peace of God is there.” Of these three settings, this is the only one that reaches a written forte, as it sets the text “Then shall all shackles fall; the stormy clangor of wild war-music...” This dynamic continues at the reiteration of the final refrain, culminating in an even louder “Amen.”

Veni, Sancte Spiritus  (KN)     SSAATTBB, A Cappella (A)      KC1015 - $1.95 Thanks to Cantori Domino for this recording, done in only three takes! Here are excerpts of their masterful reading! Winner of the 2004 Juan Bautista Comes Choral Composition Competition in Segorbe, Spain, this work is a prayer of petitions. First altos, then sopranos, join in a polyphonic invocation of the Holy Spirit. The music grows to four-part women in chordal harmony, leading to the men’s entrances. Various dynamic and textural changes occur throughout the piece. Extended, broadly-voiced harmonies, typified by polychords and brilliant flashes of dissonance, balance the more intimate sections and also support a high solo soprano chanting above the choir. Bold and expansive, this is a work demanding strong forces. [8:30-10:00] (ERRATA: Our first edition unfortunately contains three small errors: the alto half-notes, in bar 31, should obviously be dotted; the second tenor, in bar 55, should be an F#; and the second sopranos’ B-natural, in measure 93, changes to a B-flat at the ‘sub mp’, on the word “nihil”. We apologize for any confusion. Corrections will be made in our second printing. ) TO ORDER, SEE INSTRUCTIONS AT TOP OF PAGE. COMMENTS ABOUT THIS COMPOSITION “Filled with accidentals that create ringing harmonies of skin raising beauty, this chant-like setting is glorious. The harmonic shifts are both bold and startling. The anthem opens on unison alto voices with an occasional two-part split. The sopranos quickly join, adding a ringing clarity to the harmonic structure. The four-part double choir writing is equally spectacular, switching from homophonic sections to elegant counterpoint on changing meters. This piece is not for the faint of heart but is spectacular and well worth the effort. It would be an excellent choice for high school honors choirs where large forces are available. The piece ends in a fury of tonal color on a double forte with many splits in the vocal parts.”         -Marie Stultz, Choral Newsletter (Summer 2007), www.spectrum-music.com

Wayfaring Stranger  (KN)     SSAATTBB, A Cappella (M)      KC1008 - $1.95 Listen to an excerpt... The evocative, haunting tune wanders among each of the four voice-parts, while the reflective, personal lyric shares moods of hardship, of longing, and of transport. Careful not to detract from these moods, the arranger builds stylized effects into the musical fabric. These serve to infer the song’s country and (perhaps) period of origin: occasional sparse, open harmonies (reminiscent of early-American hymns), an American Indian motif, even a few ‘blue’ notes. [4:50] TO ORDER, SEE INSTRUCTIONS AT TOP OF PAGE.

Who is at My Window?  (KN)     SATB, Keyboard (M)      KC1011 - $1.95 While awaiting a live recording, here's a midi adaptation...  ♫ Adapted from 15th-century Old English, this intense, anonymous text has been masterfully set. Deeply intimate and powerful, all at once, here is a glorious wedding of word, music and emotion---especially at a moment of high drama, wherein Christ asks us to “Remember the spear that pierced my heart.” This, then, slowly melts into a strikingly simple soprano melody, beautifully supported by the keyboard, as the remaining voices eventually enter: “I ask nothing of thee, therefore, but love for love, to lay in store. Give me thy heart, I ask no more...” (There is a brief solo for any voice.) [5:45] TO ORDER, SEE INSTRUCTIONS AT TOP OF PAGE.

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SECULAR MUSIC

INTRODUCTIONS

Here are some ideas to assist with program planning---though these suggestions are certainly not exclusive, nor, by any means, final. CLASSIC POETS: Sir William Davenant: Aubade (Morning Love Song) / Emily Dickinson: A Stranger Yet / Thomas Hardy: The Reminder / Robert Herrick: To Music / Thomas Moore: Three Love Songs / William Shakespeare: Come, Live with Me (via Christopher Marlowe); Songs from "Twelfth Night;" The Lark at Heaven's Gate Sings / Percy Bysshe Shelley: Elfin Music SETS: A Stranger Yet (3 songs) / FauréVoix: Re-Voicings of Fauré Art Songs (4 songs) / Songs from "Twelfth Night" (3 songs) / Spring Songs (4 songs) / Tangled in the Vine (3 to 4 songs) / Three Folksongs (TTBB) / Three Love Songs MEDLEYS: Battlecries of Freedom (@10 min) / Songs of the South (@13 min) ROMANTIC: Aubade (Morning Love Song) / Come, Live with Me / Come to Me / Danny Boy / Vocalise & Lydia (from the set, FauréVoix) / O Mistress Mine & Come Away, Death (from "Songs from 'Twelfth Night'") / Rendezvous (from "Spring Songs") / The Lark at Heaven's Gate Sings / She's Like the Swallow (from "Three Folksongs" - TTBB) / Three Love Songs CHRISTMAS: Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas / The Reminder VALENTINE'S (OR OTHER 'LIGHTER' LOVE-THEMED PROGRAMS): Good Old Summertime / Squeeze Me / Drunk with Love (from "Tangled in the Vine") / The Angel of Angels Flight / The Grackle JAZZ/POP: Good Old Summertime / Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas / I Got Jazz / Songs of the South / Squeeze Me / The Grackle FOLK MUSIC: Battlecries of Freedom / Danny Boy / Moreton Bay / Songs of the South / The Ballad of Casey Jones / Three Folksongs (TTBB) LES CHANTS DES OISEAUX SERIES (songs having to do with birds, specifically or generally): She's Like the Swallow (from Three Folksongs for Mens' Voices) / Dear March / Bring Me the Sunset / Aubade / Come, Live with Me / Songs of the South / The Grackle / The Lark at Heaven's Gate Sings / The Reminder ART SONGS: FauréVoix: Re-Voicings of Fauré Art Songs / On Wings of Song (SSAA) HUMOR: Dear March (from the set, "A Stranger Yet) / Good Old Summertime / I Am Gone, Sir (from "Songs from 'Twelfth Night'") / I Got Jazz / On the Banks of the Don (from "Three Folksongs" - TTBB) / Songs of the South / Squeeze Me / Tangled in the Vine (or "The Follies of Drink") / The Angel of Angels Flight / The Grackle SEMI-THEATRICAL (spoken lines, possible staging elements, etc.): Battlecries of Freedom / Tangled in the Vine (or "The Follies of Drink") / The Angel of Angels Flight / The Ballad of Casey Jones

SSA(A)

On Wings of Song  (KN)     SSAA, Piano (E)      KC2010 - $1.95 Listen... A wonderfully singable, florid arrangement of Mendelssohn’s art song; perfect for women’s voices, yet not beyond the reach of middle school choirs. [2:00] TO ORDER, SEE INSTRUCTIONS AT TOP OF PAGE.

TTB(B)

Three Folksongs for Men's Voices  (CH)     TTBB, A Cappella (M)      KC2017 - $1.95 Written for the Notre Dame Glee Club, Curtis Heard demonstrates his ample talent in these charming renditions. From a languorous testimonial to love, to rousing revelry and farce along the river Don, culminating in a plaint of sacred parting, this set is a “must” for all male choirs! [8:00] TO ORDER, SEE INSTRUCTIONS AT TOP OF PAGE. COMMENTS ABOUT THIS SET “...lovely a cappella settings... The harmonies on long phrase shapes are vocally developing. The warm and sensitive harmonies make all three (selections) very satisfying. They can be performed as a group or separately.”         -Marie Stultz, Choral Newsletter (Summer 2006), www.spectrum-music.com Listen to excerpts of the three movements I. She's Like the Swallow “flies so high” on gentle unison, three- and four-part contrapuntal lines. [3:30] II. On the Banks of the Don is a highly spirited ode to living in that “grand institution” (that just happens to be a prison!). A rollicking, robust setting ...as it SHOULD be! [2:00] III. Farewell, My Friends (with Tenor solo) is pervaded by a wondrous melancholy, wherein the soloist is accompanied by wordless 4-part voices. These are emotional and touching final pages to this trilogy. [2:30]

SATB/SSAATTBB

...a stranger yet  (KN) Celebrate a unique American wordsmith in this imaginative, award-winning collection of songs set to nature poems of Emily Dickinson. The triptych’s title is a fragment from the first poem in the set, which reads: “But nature is a stranger yet; the ones that cite her most have never passed her haunted house nor simplified her ghost.” ...quintessential Dickinson! Through her astonishingly vivid (if not eccentric) imagination, explore the mysteries of a well, converse with the month of March, and ponder the riddle of creation. Under Kenneth Neufeld’s artistic hand, these diverse and wonderfully rich poems are brought to life on the choral canvas. Portraits unto themselves, exercising unique choral/vocal skills and challenges, the three are hinged together, compositionally, by short chorale-like sections near the end of each piece. As in most of Mr. Neufeld’s works, the music is written to specifically enhance and support the poetry. Speech patterns of the text suggest (or dictate) the rhythmic element, which blends with a vocal palette that is primarily homophonic. Such a combination results in lyrics that are both easily sung, and readily understood by audiences. Melody, harmony, and accompaniment are then layered to enhance the emotional, spiritual, and physically descriptive aspects of Miss Dickinson’s words. COMMENTS ABOUT THIS TRIPTYCH “Extraordinarily good secular pieces ...exceptional attention to text/tone relationship ...challenging, but accessible to good high school or collegiate choirs, the members of which will be richly rewarded for the effort. Both the texts and the music are exquisite.”         - Robert Provencio, DMA, California State University, Bakersfield, CA I. Mystery     SATB, Piano (M/E)      KC2001 - $1.75 Hear...  ♫ While the singers ruminate on mysteries that “pervade a well”, a repeating and fragmenting motif introduces a sense of foreboding. The composer uses this ominous and inverted ‘hint’ at Claude Debussy’s beautiful Reflets dans l’eau (Reflections in the Water), as if peering up from below the water line in the darkness of the well. The singers are drawn to approach cautiously, their shrinking distance noted in subsequent echo effects. When close enough to gaze into the murky depths, the mystery remains, but their trepidation is gone. The choir then joins in Dickinson’s paean to nature (“But nature is a stranger yet...”). Vocal lines are overwhelmingly unison or two-part, but not without some exciting rhythmic and dynamic challenges. [4:00] TO ORDER, SEE INSTRUCTIONS AT TOP OF PAGE. II. Dear March     SATB, Piano (M)      KC2002 - $1.75 Listen...  ♫ Miss Dickinson graciously invites March in for a conversation---only to be interrupted by April’s arrival, in this delightfully whimsical waltz. The third month is not merely personified by the poet, but represented by the composer in his abundant use of thirds. He utilizes several other techniques of tone painting, as well. Since March is considered the first month of Spring, the initial notes of the repeating refrain act as springboards. The words “out of breath...” are placed over a hemiola, giving the impression a breath is actually needed. Invited to “come right upstairs...”, the notes ascend stepwise, wafting us upward with them. At the phrase, “I have so much to tell”, the music suddenly becomes polyphonic, as if the speaker is attempting to say everything at once. And you can’t miss April’s arrival, knocking boldly at the door! One of the lightest of Dickinson’s oeuvre, the music couldn’t be more fitting. Both elements are wonderfully playful. Considerable repetition, hastens the learning process. [4:30] TO ORDER, SEE INSTRUCTIONS AT TOP OF PAGE. III. Bring Me the Sunset     SATB, Piano (M/E)      KC2003 - $1.95 A lovely performance (despite passing interruptions outside the performance venue).  ♫ With Dickinson at her metaphoric and metaphysical best (metaphysical in its purest sense), text and music combine into a moving, inspirational miniature, suitable for any venue.* Again, the composer incorporates tone painting, but less, and on a smaller scale than in the previous movements. The lyric, itself, is notably more serious and thought-provoking, contemplative at times, exuberant at others. Occasionally, it shines like rays through sunset-hued clouds, in brief unaccompanied glimpses. The first of these moments comes after the somber and almost regal introduction, and the last (a re-harmonization of the first), closes the piece. In between, sudden tonal shifts re-emphasize new rhetorical questions and tasks asked of the listener. All in all, Mr. Neufeld brings us the sunset, the robin’s ecstasy, the wampum of the night, and everything else in Emily Dickinson’s imaginative and beloved poem, with gentle craft and fine-tuned acumen. [4:40] *This setting may well find use in any program celebrating God’s handiwork. The lyric is somewhat reminiscent of His communication with Job, perhaps, as well as certain Psalms. TO ORDER, SEE INSTRUCTIONS AT TOP OF PAGE.

*Aubade ("Morning Love Song"(  (KN)     SATB, A Cappella (M/E)      KC2011 - $1.75 -Awaken the score-         The lark now leaves his wat’ry nest,             And climbing, shakes his dewy wings.         He takes this window for the East,             And to implore your light, he sings---         Awake, awake! A glorious partsong, well-suited for large or small ensembles. Gentle and melodic (with a brief divisi in the soprano, near the end), this 17th-century text is set with charm and romance. This is part of the “Les Chants des Oiseaux” series. [2:25] TO ORDER, SEE INSTRUCTIONS AT TOP OF PAGE.

*Battlecries of Freedom  (KN)     SSAATTBB, Percussion (A)      KC2008 - $2.95 -Rally ’round the score!- This concert medley was written for a specific program on the subject of war, performed by Zephyr: Voices Unbound. It utilizes pre-20th century American, English and Irish songs. Loud and cacophonous at times---not unlike war itself---this medley also affords intimate moments (‘Just Before the Battle, Mother,’ and ‘A Soldier’s Farewell’) and, of course, those of patriotic fervor (‘Rally Round the Flag’ and ‘Battle Hymn of the Republic’). The main work, 7 to 8 minutes in length, ends with a crescendoing call to arms, and is quite dramatic on its own. However, there is an additional and optional setting of ‘Taps’ (about 2 minutes), more or less forming a coda, which can extend the drama. The work has since been used to commemorate the American Civil War, but it can be used in any program requiring a dramatic showpiece. A few solos exist. Highly evocative and effective! [@10:00] TO ORDER, SEE INSTRUCTIONS AT TOP OF PAGE. *Taps  (KN)     SATTBB (M)     KC2028 - $1.00 * * * THIS IS THE VERSION SUNG BY ENSOMA CREATIVE. * * * This is a stand-alone version of the final section of "Battlecries of Freedom" (above), re-worked to remove references back to songs in the full medley. It's available, here, for separate purchase. [@ 2:00] TO ORDER, SEE INSTRUCTIONS AT TOP OF PAGE.

Come, Live with Me  (KN)     SATB, A Cappella (M)      KC2004 - $1.95 Zephyr serenades  ♫ A proposal of marriage, Christopher Marlowe’s famous poem, The Passionate Shepherd to His Love was adapted by Shakespeare and used in his play, “The Merry Wives of Windsor”. It is this second version that Kenneth Neufeld deftly weaves into a beautiful engaging partsong. This is one of his most harmonically colorful a cappella endeavors. Originally composed for a wedding, the work lends itself to programs of various themes, especially in which a romantic text and lush vocals are suited. [3:10] TO ORDER, SEE INSTRUCTIONS AT TOP OF PAGE.

Come to Me  (LA)     SATB, A Cappella (M)      KC2009 - $1.95 Zephyr sings again  ♫ This gorgeous setting of an original poem explores the many faces of love: plaintive and soothing, intoxicating and ecstatic, bittersweet and joyful. The music reflects the text, varying between lush harmonies and a spare, modal, texture, with flowing, interlacing lines and extended suspensions, often sprinkled with incidental soprano soli. Lisa Alexander’s masterful writing yields a very satisfying choral experience! [3:00] TO ORDER, SEE INSTRUCTIONS AT TOP OF PAGE.

Danny Boy  (KN)     SATB w/solo, Piano (M/E)      KC2007 - $1.75 Where is our Irish tenor? For now, we'll have to make do with this midi version.  ♫ The endearing Irish ballad (“Londonderry Air”) is harmonically and sentimentally richer in this evocative setting. Typical of many Neufeld pieces, the piano again takes on an orchestral role, while the voices combine in lush harmonies. The solo, in the final verse, befits a true Irish tenor! [4:30] TO ORDER, SEE INSTRUCTIONS AT TOP OF PAGE.

Elfin Music  (KN)     SATB, Piano (M/E)      KC2006 - $1.75 The elves are currently offering this midi version.  ♫ Using Percy Bysshe Shelley’s poetic flight of fancy, this is an engaging, spirited romp into a magical world where creatures “gibber their joy in sleep---drunk with the honey wine of the moon... which fairies catch in hyacinth buds.” The lightness and general feel is faintly reminiscent of the respective approaches to A Midsummer Night’s Dream brought by Mendelssohn’s famous scherzo, and Vaughan Williams’ delightful “Over Hill, Over Dale.” [2:00] TO ORDER, SEE INSTRUCTIONS AT TOP OF PAGE.

FauréVoix: "Re-Voicings" of Fauré Art Songs  (KN)                  for Mixed Choir, Piano & Solo Instrument Some choirs shy away from music in foreign tongues. And while French is one of the world’s most beautiful languages, it can, indeed, be tricky for singers unfamiliar with it. Three of THESE French pieces use no language at all, and the fourth is an adaptation into English. Innovative and imaginative, these songs will create a totally new moment in your concerts. FauréVoix affords the singers a slightly different performance role: taking a step back, melding with the piano in many cases, to serve as accompanists for a solo artist. Each movement, whether sung separately or in a grouping, is an outstanding showcase for instrumentalists, and singers will revel in the fact that there is no foreign language to learn! Each piece adds oft-needed variety to a program. Vocalise (Après un Rêve)      w/Clarinet or solo voice (M/E)      KC2024 - $1.95 Clarinet version: Indiana University of Pennsylvania Chorale performs  ♫ Solo Voice version: Roger Wagner Chorale performs, with Holly Shaw Price, soloist  ♫ Vocalise is an arrangement of Fauré’s popular “Après un Rêve,” but, as the title suggests, without words. Maintaining the original languorous flavor, Mr. Neufeld has adapted Fauré’s piano score and added choral accompaniment to this beautiful melody. From its intimate opening and rhapsodic climax to the hushed and atmospheric final sostenuto, this evocative setting presents a luscious and romantic reverie. A clarinet (or voice) may serve as soloist in this movement. TO ORDER, SEE INSTRUCTIONS AT TOP OF PAGE. Àla Watteau (Mandoline)     w/Violin (M/E)      KC2026 - $1.95 -View the score- IUP Chorale sings again  ♫ À la Watteau is the second of Mr. Neufeld’s re-voicings of Fauré art songs for choir, piano and solo instrument, collectively known as “FauréVoix”. In this instant, the solo instrument is the violin, which gives a light, airy quality to ‘Mandoline’---of which this is an arrangement. With only a few changes, Mr. Neufeld retains the original mandolin-like piano part, over which the violin and near-wordless choir alternate, serving as either accompaniment, or ornamentation, for the other. Soloists will have a wonderful little tour de force with which to shine. This piece makes a wonderful pairing with ‘Vocalise’ (see above). TO ORDER, SEE INSTRUCTIONS AT TOP OF PAGE. Homage to Gabe (Ici-Bas)     w/Trumpet (M/E)      KC2030 - $2.25 Indiana University of Pennsylvania Chorale offers yet another performance  ♫ Homage to Gabe, third in the series “FauréVoix”, continues the use of piano-accompanied wordless chorus, this time adding a trumpet in the solo spot. Unlike the former two settings, in which the arranger maintained the basic import of the music, he freely revises Fauré’s work, here, virtually birthing a new piece. While the original melody and harmonic structure remain evident, the arrangement is couched in interludes that create a feeling of languorous jazz improvisation. Indeed, the piece is reminiscent of collaborations between guitarist Jim Hall and flugelhornist Art Farmer (and, to a lesser degree, pianist Bill Evans) during jazz excursions into the Ravel and Fauré Pavane(s), back in the 60’s & 70’s! The music remains a fairly easy grasp for choirs, as they become less “cause” and more “effect”, accompanying the soloist---whose own notes are not devoid of challenges, however! Pianists will also enjoy another inventive workout. TO ORDER, SEE INSTRUCTIONS AT TOP OF PAGE. *Lydia (Lydia)     w/Flute (M/E)      KC2031 - $1.95 -See the score- The IUP Chorale is still at it!  ♫ In this final selection in the “FauréVoix” collection, the choir returns to its more traditional “foreground” role. This is primarily due to the fact that this song actually contains lyrics---and they happen to be in English, thanks to Mr. Neufeld doubling as music arranger and lyricist. (Please note that, apart from also being a love poem, the translation is only vaguely suggested by the original French.) As with the other pieces in this set, singers are still accompanied by two instruments: piano and, in THIS instance, flute. The flute part, however, finds its engagement not in the melody of the title song, but in a more familiar Fauré tune, which gets presented traditionally and in a lighter mood. TO ORDER, SEE INSTRUCTIONS AT TOP OF PAGE.

Good Old Summertime  (RvH)     SSAATTBB, Piano / Rhythm Section (M)     KC2029 - $2.25 Stroll down a shady lane with the Randy Van Horne Singers This is a perfect example of “classic” Randy Van Horne! A popular old chestnut, first published in 1902, is given an extended, full harmonic treatment, retaining its original charm, but adding Randy’s typical witty signature. The humor can remain understated, or, with some theatrics, be brought to the fore without detracting from the marvelous 8-part choral writing. For general use, it’s fun to sing anytime! But it would be the perfect addition to programs themed around Valentine’s Day, Tin Pan Alley, or the Gay ’90’s. [2:20] TO ORDER, SEE INSTRUCTIONS AT TOP OF PAGE.

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas  (KN)     SSAATTBB (M/A)      KC2025 - $2.25 Singers Elite perform excerpts THIS IS THE ORIGINALLY AUTHORIZED EDITION! Frequently performed by the Los Angeles Master Chorale on their “Holiday Wonders” concerts, and recorded on their “Festival of Carols” CD, this is a luxurious choral version of the seasonal favorite. Typified by interweaving vocal lines and lush layered harmonies, this is the perfect anchor for your themed Holiday concert---or at the very least, an opulent showcase for your choir’s abilities! This arrangement is an elegant ‘Choral Christmas Card’ with which to extend warm wishes to your audience! (A couple lyric options render this suitable for sacred as well as secular venues.) [4:00] COMMENTS ABOUT THIS ARRANGEMENT Fortunate enough to be in touch with the writer of this timeless classic, a couple years before his passing, Mr. Neufeld received an email with the following, on the subject of this arrangement: “...sophisticated, subtle and sensitive ...an extraordinary achievement and I’m mad about it. It’s full of ingenious surprises.”         - Hugh Martin, Composer/Lyricist of ‘Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas’ “...thick, beautiful and lush are the harmonies that Ken creates.”         - Grant Gershon, Director of the Los Angeles Master Chorale TO ORDER, SEE INSTRUCTIONS AT TOP OF PAGE.

I Got Jazz  (RvH)     SATB, Piano / Rhythm Section (M)     KC2027 - $1.75 Got Jazz? Dig this ...with the Randy Van Horne Singers!  ♫ The talents of both Cynthia Morrow (lyricist) and Randy Van Horne combine in a smooth yet swingin’ little jazz gem. The text is clever, full of jazz references, and the music couldn’t fit the lyrics better. A piano accompaniment is written out, but a standard chord chart is also included, making it easy to improvise new accompaniment, as well as add a rhythm section. This is a fun ‘feel good’ piece which singers and audiences, alike, will love! [1:55] TO ORDER, SEE INSTRUCTIONS AT TOP OF PAGE.

Moreton Bay  (KN)     SATB, A Cappella (M)      KC2022 - $1.75 Hear excerpts all the way from “the Land Downunda” A tender arrangement of an Irish/Australian folksong, harkening back to Brisbane’s penal colony. There is some divisi in all parts, predominantly in men’s voices, where there is also a tenor solo. A lovely setting, appropriate to the text’s (and tune’s) emotion. NOTE: Most fermati are “suggested,” but optional. [3:45] TO ORDER, SEE INSTRUCTIONS AT TOP OF PAGE.

Songs from Twelfth Night  (KN)     SATB, A Cappella (M)      KC 2014 - $2.25 These extremely rich settings of Shakespeare display the art of choral composition at its highest level. Each movement reflects the poetry with exquisite word painting, and the charming portrayal of the texts’ emotional qualities bridges the centuries between music and lyric. This set enjoyed wide sales when first released through its original publisher. We are happy to make them available once again, to delight singers and audiences, alike! [4:20] TO ORDER, SEE INSTRUCTIONS AT TOP OF PAGE. California State University, Long Beach, University Choir gives a stellar performance! I. O Mistress Mine  Listen...  ♫ A more-romantic setting of this text you will be hard-pressed to find. Rich harmonies envelop a sentimental melody. It’s candy for the ears, a cushion for the heart ...and one of the composer’s favorite works. [1:35] II. Come Away, Death  Listen...  ♫ Momentary tonal shifts and other harmonic surprises join the cortège of this lament. (Altos particularly relish the final two bars.) [1:55] III. I am Gone, Sir  Listen...  ♫ A scherzo for voices; simple, yet spectacular! This miniature tour de force brings the set to a rousing finish. [:50]

*Songs of the South  (KN)   SATB, Piano, opt. Sandblocks, Spoons (M)   KC2021 - $3.50 -Yankees: Don't tread on the score!- Listen, as the University of Utah Choir performs  ♫ Commissioned back in the 1980’s, Kensington Choralworks is happy to offer this excellent showstopper for expanded use. Serious and humorous songs, alike, combine in a grand American folksong concert medley: hymns, spirituals and gospel songs; jazz, and dance numbers; work songs; as well as several Stephen Foster tunes---NATURALLY! Broad jokes and tongue-in-cheek humor also find their way into this tour de force. (What else would you expect from a piece that begins with someone whistlin’ Dixie?) Excellent part-writing and mood-enhancing accompaniment blend to present reminiscences of bygone days, and nearly fifteen minutes of good old-fashioned fun. [13:00] TO ORDER, SEE INSTRUCTIONS AT TOP OF PAGE.

Spring Songs  (KJF)     SATB (A)      KC2023 - $2.25 Kent Jon Fenske offers deft treatment of four wonderful texts, each celebrating a different aspect of Spring: nature, hope, frivolity and love. Each piece is brief, and can stand alone. However, as a set, Dandelions, Promise, The Kite and Rendezvous complement each other perfectly. At certain moments, in the latter, one may sense a faint reminiscence of “The Coolin’” (Samuel Barber/James Stephens), conjured up not only by the text, but the handling of melody and harmony. A challenging, unique, and highly worthwhile quartet of partsongs. (ERRATA: Our first edition unfortunately contains two small errors. In the third full measure of The Kite, the third soprano note should be a C#, not an A. The piano reduction needs correcting there as well. Also, in bar 3 of Promise, the second right hand notes of the reduction should be Eb & Bb. Corrections will be made in our second printing.) TO ORDER, SEE INSTRUCTIONS AT TOP OF PAGE. Cantori Domino performs two complete excepts I. Dandelions II. Promise   Listen...  ♫ III. The Kite   Listen...  ♫ IV. Rendezvous

Squeeze Me  (RvH)     SSAATTBB, Piano / Rhythm Section (M/E)     KC2028 - $2.25 Here’s a brief excerpt This is an excellent and inventive choral setting of Duke Ellington, thanks to Randy Van Horne’s masterful touch! Ladies’ voices introduce a sultry recurring motif in this unique evocative arrangement, so representative of the 1950’s choral jazz sound. The piece affords a rich palette of harmonies, along with a few surprises to keep listeners from being lulled into a false sense of “easy listening” security. Predominantly written with thick spread texture, there are well-timed tempo changes, moments of close harmony, rhythmic accents, and so on ...and so “retro”! [4:00] TO ORDER, SEE INSTRUCTIONS AT TOP OF PAGE.

*Tangled in the Vine  (KN)     SATB, Piano (A)      KC2019 - $2.95 -Imbibe the score!- A humorous toast, subtitled: “The Follies of Drink.” Two anonymous texts, another by William Butler Yeats, and a fourth paraphrasing an Oliver Wendell Holmes poem. (For college level and above.) [8:05] TO ORDER, SEE INSTRUCTIONS AT TOP OF PAGE. I. A Drinking Song [1:00] II. Drunk with Love [3:10] III. The Pig [1:25] IV. Teetotalers Anonymous [2:30]

*Taps  (KN)     SATTBB (M)     KC2028 - $1.00    ...See "BATTLECRIES OF FREEDOM" (above)

*The Angel of Angels Flight  (KN)     SSAATTBB, Piano, Chimes (or Handbells), and Trolley Bell---if you have one! (M/E)      KC2015 - $2.25 -Ascend the score.- (This file will take a bit longer to load.) A prize-winner in the 2005 “Celebrate L.A. Composition Contest,” hosted by the West Coast Singers and the City of Los Angeles, this little theatrical pastiche recalls L.A.’s historic funicular, “Angels Flight” (oddly enough, spelled without an apostrophe). It's a lighthearted novelty piece, right out of the Gay ’90’s, complete with barbershop quartet and music hall chorus girls. Here’s the tale of a young man who meets a “heavenly creature in a mortal’s gown” while traveling up Bunker Hill on the World’s Shortest Railway. This ‘period piece’ with its text full of puns, affords plenty of opportunity for comedic improvisation and “stylized” singing. A delightfully amusing addition to any concert. TO ORDER, SEE INSTRUCTIONS AT TOP OF PAGE.

*The Ballad of Casey Jones  (KN)     SATB, Piano (M/E)      KC2005 - $2.25 -Follow the score- The (true) story of the engineer who became a legend is told is this imaginative novelty number. The song begins and ends where work is needed on the rails. But in between, singers take the audience on the ride of their lives, as Casey’s Locomotive Number 382 picks up speed, and hurtles down the track to its demise. Moderately challenging for good high school choirs and above, the reward is worthwhile! There’s a brief conversation for two actors, sound effects for the whole ensemble, and a tender full of notes for the keyboardist to stoke. TO ORDER, SEE INSTRUCTIONS AT TOP OF PAGE.

The Grackle  (KN)     SSAATTBB, A Cappella (A)      KC2012 - $2.25 Zephyr affords a feathered gander This phenomenal jazz miniature is a witty, finger-snappin’ showstopper. Ken Neufeld demonstrates his skill at choral jazz in this setting of an imaginative and amusing text by contemporary playwright and lyricist, Scott Guy. This swingin’ tale of birdland is characterized by a catchy syncopated melody, which is supported by a walking bass until the song takes flight, at which time the voicing spreads out like wings. A novel little vocal dance break (perhaps a courting ritual for the story’s subjects?) is inserted just prior to the final chorus. Skillful singers required! Part of the “Les Chants des Oiseaux” series. [2:30] TO ORDER, SEE INSTRUCTIONS AT TOP OF PAGE.

The Lark at Heaven’s Gate Sings  (CJ)     SATB, A Cappella (M)      KC2020 - $2.25 Listen as Zephyr performs  ♫ Cory Johnson’s skill at part-writing is gloriously exemplified in this masterful setting from Shakespeare’s Cymbeline. From the echoing two-note motif, enjoining us to “Hark!”, we follow soft arcs of melody, as they wing through contrapuntal phrases, or alight, momentarily, to nest in sumptuous chordal harmonies. Especially wonderful is the composer’s word-painting as “winking Mary-buds begin to ope their golden eyes.” And harmonies of exquisite tenderness shade “With everything that pretty is, my lady sweet, arise.” This piece quickly proves to delight both singer and audience. (Methinks the Bard wouldst, himself, enamored be!) Part of the “Les Chants des Oiseaux” series. [3:30] TO ORDER, SEE INSTRUCTIONS AT TOP OF PAGE.

*The Reminder  (KN)     SATB, Piano (M)      KC2013 - $1.50 -Remember the score- Harmonies, appropriate to its somewhat biting text, characterize this pastiche, punctuated with occasional birdcalls in the accompaniment. Thomas Hardy’s poignant, yet pointed, lyric adds an important message (and a colorful musical miniature) to any concert ...though it's BEST-suited for winter and Christmas seasons. Part of the “Les Chants des Oiseaux” series. [1:50] TO ORDER, SEE INSTRUCTIONS AT TOP OF PAGE.

*Three Love Songs  (KN)     SATB, A Cappella (M/A)     KC2018 - $2.50 -Love the score.- (This file will take a bit longer to load.) The texts are from Thomas Moore’s 19th-century collection of poetry, entitled “Irish Songs.” (For college level and above.) [5:15] TO ORDER, SEE INSTRUCTIONS AT TOP OF PAGE. I. They Know Not My Heart  Zephyr shares an intimate confession of love...  ♫ ...declared in simple melody and tender, anxious harmonies. [1:45] II. The Young, May Moon is beaming, Love. The glow-worm's lamp is gleaming, Love.   ...and Bemidji State University Chamber Singers will tell you more.  ♫ Lush shifting harmonies and a languid melody create a gorgeous, sensual nocturne. [2:30] III. O Doubt Me Not  Zephyr sings a final excerpt. Musically lighthearted, with a hint of the madrigal-esque, this is a delightful protestation of (new-found?) devotion. Several measures of divisi exist in each voice-part. [2:00]

*To Music  (KN)     SATB, Piano (M)      KC2016 - $2.25 -Sing parts of the score- Utilizing yet another text by the 17th century poet, Robert Herrick, the composer has created a fantasia (of sorts) for voices and piano. The work is a plea to Music herself, for comfort and deliverance from earthly woes. From its initial motif of A-scending notes, the accompaniment continually strives to direct us heavenward, while the singers (as poet) find difficulty in breaking free of their earthbound state, signified by the preponderance of their own DE-scending lines. [5:30] TO ORDER, SEE INSTRUCTIONS AT TOP OF PAGE.

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The following titles are scheduled for future release through

Kensington Choralworks

(A Totally Unofficial Setting of) Australia's Unofficial National Anthem     SATB, Piano A novel energetic version of the most popular of ‘antipodesian’ folksongs affords an epic retelling of a certain swagman and his purloined jumbuck.

Ku'u Ipo (My Sweetheart)     SATB, A Cappella An arrangement of one of Hawaii’s favorite songs, written by their own native princess, Miriam Likelike.

The Ant Chronicles (aka "Go to the Ant")     SATB, A Cappella That illustrious team of Neufeld & Guy has been at it again, and come up with various short readings (and four songs!) on the subject of nature’s industrious digger ...and we actually have a recording by "The Valley Voices". I. Mandibular Musings II. Appellation Swing III. Pull Down Thy Vanity IV. There’s Not Much to an Ant

I Saw Three Ships     SATB, A Cappella Rhythmic and harmonic interest is created in a new setting of this Christmas favorite.

Look to This Day     ST/AB, Piano An inspirational miniature, sacred or secular, 2-part, with a text translated from Sanskrit.

Plaudite Manibus (O Clap Your Hands)     SATB, Keyboard A rich setting of Psalm 47, in Latin.

The Carol Suite     SATB, Piano A medley of sacred Christmas songs, suitable for church and concert venues.

Three Christmas Miniatures     SATB, A Cappella I. Patapan II. What Child is This? III. He is Born

Wisdom      SATB, Piano Text by Reinhold Niebuhr

And finally... HERE'S a three-and-a-half-minute sampler of three possible future publications.

OUR COMPOSERS' WORKS ARE ALSO PUBLISHED BY

Boosey & Hawkes, Inc. Colla Voce Music (formerly Aberdeen Music, Inc.) EMI Music Publishing Australia Pty, Ltd Gentry Publications / Fred Bock Music Company Pavane Publishing Piles, Editorial de Musica, S.A. (Spain) Walton Music (PLEASE VISIT OUR COMPOSERS PAGE FOR MORE INFORMATION.)

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settings of English poets ... Robert Fletcher
"the original Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas"
"Neufeld Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas"
"LAMC Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas"
"Master Chorale Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas"
"Los Angeles Master Chorale Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas"
"Los Angeles Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas"
"Kensington Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas"
"Choral Works Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas"
"Kensington Choralworks Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas"
"Kensington Choral Works Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas"
"Kensington Choral Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas"
"Kensington Chorals Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas"