FA  ’18:  MUED  376:  Choral  Music,  Methods  and  Materials  

Dr.  van  der  Vat-­‐Chromy  

23M.  Concert  Programming  Assignment    

•   This assignment is the opportunity to design a major seasonal

concert program that will include three/four different ensembles of
different vocal settings.

•   Each program must include 12 pieces, varying in voicing, style, and

difficulty. For example, plan to program 3 pieces for your SATB choir,
3 for your Men’s Ensemble, 2 for your Children’s Choir, 3 for your
Women’s Choir and a combined Finale.

For example, you may choose from:

K-12 choirs: Fall/Winter/Spring/Graduation Concert

Church choirs: Advent/Easter Program, etc.
Grades 6 -12: Cabaret/MUTH/Opera Performance (“An Evening at the Opera”)

•   Please give your concert a name or a theme, which will serve as the
organizing principal for your concert.

•   For each selection, please enter the necessary information into the
template found on the next page, re-titling “Piece 1”, “Piece 2”, etc. as
you proceed.

•   After completing your assignment, please save your document as a

.pdf, and send it to everyone in the class. In this way, we will have 17
concert programs in our files!
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MUED  376:    Choral  Music,  Methods  and  Materials  
Concert  Programming  Assignment  
 
Conductor Name: Alton Peters

Date: 12/5/18

Concert Theme/Title: Winter Concert/

To be performed by: Concert Choir, Men’s Choir, Women’s Choir

Concert Rationale: These are the three main groups that almost every school has so I chose
them for this assignment. I chose the winter theme because Christmas music is stuck in my
head right now so I thought it was fitting.

PROGRAM AT A GLANCE
(List pieces, composers, accompanists, soloists and instrumentalists as needed)

TITLE Composer/dates

1.   Ring the Bells (All choirs) Rosephanye Powell

2.   If Ye Love Me (Men’s) Thomas

Tallis

3.   O Magnum Mysterium (Men’s) Morten Lauridsen

4. Believe (Men’s) arr. Mark Hayes

5. Glow (Concert Choir) Eric Whitacre

6. Silent Night (Concert Choir) arr. Ruth Schram

7. Sing, Sing Noel (Concert Choir) arr. Mark Burrows

Intermission
8. I’ll be Home for Christmas (Women’s) arr. Paul Langford

9. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen (Women’s) arr. Audrey Snyder

10. Winter Dreams PINKZEBRA

11. Carol of the Bells (All Choirs) Steve Kupferschmid

12. All I Want for Christmas is You (All Choirs) Roger

Emerson

 
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PIECE #1
Title Ring the Bells
Composer Rosephanye Powell
Arranger
Voicing SATB
Length 2’40”
Time period/genre/style Secular Christmas
Sacred/secular Secular
Forces (a cappella, instruments?) Piano and voice, opt full orchestra
Difficulty level & age level Advanced High school
Key(s) E Maj
Meter(s) 6/8
Publisher and Publisher # Hal Leonard 08754674
Cost per octavo $1.80
Miscellaneous

Annotated discussion, program notes, and/or important information for consideration:

Ring the Bells is a fabulous piece written by Rosephanye Powell. It is a fun and light-hearted piece about
the spirit of the holiday season. This amazing show starter is perfect for getting everyone in the holiday spirit
at the beginning of a concert.

 
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PIECE #2
Title If Ye Love Me
Composer Thomas Tallis
Arranger John Leavitt
Voicing TTBB
Length 1’50”
Time period/genre/style Baroque
Sacred/secular Sacred
Forces (a cappella, instruments?) A capella
Difficulty level & age level Advanced High School
Key(s) C Maj
Meter(s) 4/4 cut time
Publisher and Publisher # Hal Leonard 00153764
Cost per octavo $1.90
Miscellaneous

Annotated discussion, program notes, and/or important information for consideration:

If Ye Love Me is a traditional motet from the Baroque period. This song can be found in all sorts of
arrangements including SATB. This arrangement is very commonly done in church settings by choirs as a
communion motet.

 
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PIECE #3
Title O Magnum Mysterium
Composer Morten Lauridsen
Arranger
Voicing TTBB
Length 5’40”
Time period/genre/style Contemporary choral
Sacred/secular Sacred
Forces (a cappella, instruments?) A capella
Difficulty level & age level Advanced
Key(s) C Maj
Meter(s) 4/4
Publisher and Publisher # 00228956
Cost per octavo $1.95
Miscellaneous
Annotated discussion, program notes, and/or important information for consideration:

One of the most well known choral pieces ever written, O Magnum Mysterium has been done by many
ensembles and is something that every singer should have the chance to sing. This arrangement is filled with
beautiful part writing, and lines that seem effortless to the singers.

 
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PIECE #4
Title Believe from The Polar Express
Composer Alan Silvestri and Glen Ballard
Arranger Mark Hayes
Voicing TTBB
Length 4’00”
Time period/genre/style Movie Soundtrack
Sacred/secular Secular
Forces (a cappella, instruments?) Voice, piano
Difficulty level & age level Moderate High School
Key(s) Eb Maj
Meter(s) 4/4
Publisher and Publisher # Alfred Pop Series 47608
Cost per octavo $2.10
Miscellaneous

Annotated discussion, program notes, and/or important information for consideration:

Believe was originally recorded by Josh Groban for the soundtrack of the movie The Polar Express. This
song has been arranged for multiple different types of ensembles. It is sure to be a fan favorite.

 
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PIECE #5
Title Glow
Composer Eric Whitacre
Arranger
Voicing SATB
Length 2’50”
Time period/genre/style Contemporary/Choral
Sacred/secular Secular
Forces (a cappella, instruments?) Voice, Piano
Difficulty level & age level High School
Key(s) B Maj
Meter(s) 3/4
Publisher and Publisher # Hal Leonard 00151666
Cost per octavo $2.25
Miscellaneous

Annotated discussion, program notes, and/or important information for consideration:

Glow is a beautiful piece composed in 2013 for a large virtual choir performance at Walt Disney World in
California for their holiday celebration. The piano imitates the falling of snow, with the singers starting in
hushed voices which mimics the silence of the world when there is fresh falling snow.

 
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PIECE #6
Title Silent Night
Composer Franz Gruber
Arranger Ruth Schram
Voicing SATB
Length 4’20”
Time period/genre/style Choral
Sacred/secular Sacred
Forces (a cappella, instruments?) Voice, piano, opt Cello
Difficulty level & age level Moderate High School
Key(s) C Maj
Meter(s) 3/4
Publisher and Publisher # Hal Leonard CGE18
Cost per octavo $2.10
Miscellaneous

Annotated discussion, program notes, and/or important information for consideration:

Silent night is a timeless classic by Franz Gruber. In this arrangement, the beautiful melody is accompanied
by perfect harmonies. This arrangement is further supported by the addition of a cello, adding another layer
of depth that is sure to please everyone.

 
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PIECE #7
Title Sing, Sing Noel!
Composer Traditional
Arranger Mark Burrows
Voicing SATB
Length 2’40”
Time period/genre/style Contemporary Choral
Sacred/secular Sacred?
Forces (a cappella, instruments?) Voice, flute, tambourine, hand drum, triangle
Difficulty level & age level Medium difficult, high school
Key(s) F# min
Meter(s) 4/4
Publisher and Publisher # Shawnee Press 35031931
Cost per octavo $2.35
Miscellaneous

Annotated discussion, program notes, and/or important information for consideration:

This arrangement of the French traditional song Sing Noel gives it a modern spin taking it from a major to
minor tonal center. The flute and percussion as the accompaniment help give this song a dance feel, and
still keep this tune in a holiday spirit.

 
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PIECE #8
Title I’ll Be Home for Christmas
Composer Kim Gannon
Arranger Paul Langford
Voicing SSA
Length 3’45”
Time period/genre/style Contemporary pop
Sacred/secular Secular
Forces (a cappella, instruments?) Voice, piano
Difficulty level & age level Medium high school
Key(s) D Maj
Meter(s) 4/4
Publisher and Publisher # Shawnee Press 35031335
Cost per octavo $2.15
Miscellaneous

Annotated discussion, program notes, and/or important information for consideration:

This song is a timeless classic, covered by artists of all different genres. In this arrangement of I’ll be home
for Christmas, we hear all of the melodies we know and love, bolstered by rich harmony.

 
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PIECE #9
Title God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen
Composer
Arranger Audrey Snyder
Voicing SSAA
Length 2’00”
Time period/genre/style Traditional/rearranged
Sacred/secular Sacred
Forces (a cappella, instruments?) A capella
Difficulty level & age level Medium High school
Key(s) E min
Meter(s) 4/4
Publisher and Publisher # Hal Leonard 00200882
Cost per octavo $2.10
Miscellaneous

Annotated discussion, program notes, and/or important information for consideration:

You’ve heard the traditional carol “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen”, but you’ve never heard it like this. This
arrangement puts a jazzy spin on the classic carol while still keeping the meaning behind it. Each voice part
gets a chance with the melody in this fun piece!

 
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PIECE #10
Title Winter Dreams
Composer PINKZEBRA
Arranger
Voicing SSA
Length 4’00”
Time period/genre/style Contemporary choral
Sacred/secular Secular
Forces (a cappella, instruments?) Voice, piano
Difficulty level & age level Medium, high school
Key(s) Eb Maj
Meter(s) 3/4
Publisher and Publisher # 1803013
Cost per octavo $2.25
Miscellaneous

Ranges: Please list or notate on the staff below:

Annotated discussion, program notes, and/or important information for consideration:

This is a peaceful and beautiful winter song inspired by daydreaming of falling snow, wintry wonderland
scenes, and nostalgic winter memories of home and childhood. The beautiful text is set with piano while
the choir transports you to dreams of winters past.

 
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PIECE #11
Title Carol of the Bells
Composer Mikhail Leontovich
Arranger Steve Kupferschmid
Voicing SATB
Length 1’50”
Time period/genre/style Traditional Ukrainian Carol, Choral
Sacred/secular Secular
Forces (a cappella, instruments?) Voice, Piano
Difficulty level & age level High School
Key(s) E min
Meter(s) 3/4
Publisher and Publisher # BriLee Music 10735268
Cost per octavo $1.95
Miscellaneous

Ranges: Please list or notate on the staff below:

SOPRANO G Alto

G
E
C
Tenor E Bass B

Annotated discussion, program notes, and/or important information for consideration:

Carol of the bells comes from a traditional Ukrainian carol. This widely popularized carol has been arranged
many times for all different types of choirs and bands. The different runs and accented areas for each part
mimic the chiming of the bells at Christmas time.

 
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PIECE #12
Title All I Want for Christmas is You
Composer Mariah Carey
Arranger Roger Emerson
Voicing SATBB
Length 2’40”
Time period/genre/style Contemporary/Pop
Sacred/secular Secular
Forces (a cappella, instruments?) A capella, opt sleigh bells
Difficulty level & age level High School
Key(s) F Maj
Meter(s) 4/4
Publisher and Publisher # Hal Leonard 00274794  
Cost per octavo $2.25
Miscellaneous

Ranges: Please list or notate on the staff below:

Annotated discussion, program notes, and/or important information for consideration:

As soon as December rolls around, the radio is filled with holiday music. All I Want for
Christmas is You is a fun song by Mariah Carey. This arrangement puts a fun swinging
twist on the classic Christmas tune, and each section will get a turn with the melody.