What a Morning!

SKU: LO.10-1668L

UPC: 000308037784.

SATB Easter Medium - Based on a traditional spiritual, the amended text by Frank L. Cross makes a definitive Easter statement: My Lord, what a morning, when the Son of God arose..

SKU: FP.FBS03

ISBN 9790570500192.

Sarah Baker is Vocal Composer in Residence at Education Music Services, an ABRSM examiner and a well known composer of songs and musicals for primary schools and massed-choral events.

All this experience has come together in the creation of this album of piano pieces, inspired by growing up in the Chiltern Hills. Suitable for players of around grade 4-5 standard, her evocative sound pieces describe a crash-landing hot air balloon, garden invading cows and a even a snake in a pond!

Air Balloon!: One vivid memory I have as a child is of the day that a hot air balloon passed over our house and made an emergency landing on the road in front! The sound of the gas being blown into the balloon to try to keep it high enough to pass the house sounded so loud and intimidating, and then there was the bustle of the neighbours as we all went out into the street to watch. It was both terrifying and exhilarating to watch the balloon float past and then land so near by.

Buzzards Circling: There is something so calming and restful about watching birds of prey circling in the thermal currents of a summer sky. Growing up in the Chilterns gave me plenty of opportunity to watch buzzards and red kites. This piano solo captures the beauty of their flight as they glide so effortlessly through the air.

There’s A Cow In The Garden Eating The Flowers: Inspired by the memory of seeing an unexpected cow in the garden! This surreal image is captured in a quirky waltz, as I portray both the absurdity of the moment and the sense of wonder I felt as a child, looking out of the window and seeing the cow walking round and eating the flowers. The final phrase articulates my longing: ‘I wish it would come again’.

Watching The World Go By: A short, reflective piece, remembering what it was like to have time to just sit and watch the world go by from my bedroom window.

Autumn Skies: A miniature about the beauty of Autumn skies and the poignant sense of loss for a summer gone. Friends I was fortunate to have several children of my own age living close by. We seemed to be forever making dens, playing out in the street and generally enjoying each other’s company. This piece reflects that sense of well-being.

Snake In The Pond: One hot summer I was astonished and scared to see a grass snake cooling off in our garden pond! I watched, both horrified and fascinated, as it rose up from the depths and then disappeared again. Here I portray the sense of the hazy summer afternoon as I peacefully watched the tiny movements of fish in the pond, contrasted with the fear and excitement of seeing the snake appear.

Morning Commute: I recollect many mornings stuck in traffic as my Dad took me to school on his way to work. There is one main road out of the village where I grew up, and that got more and more congested the closer we got to the town. We may not have chatted a lot, but it was always good to be together with my Dad, lost in our own thoughts.

The Witch’s Cottage: My siblings and I had a fascination with a small cottage nearby. It was set back from the road in a dark part of the woods and we called it 'the witch's cottage’. Every time we passed, I imagined I heard the distant cackle of the witch and wished I could catch a glimpse of her.

These pieces are written to complement my other collection, Night Time Impressions, which also draw on childhood recollections, particularly of the woods behind the house where I grew up. - Sarah Baker 2023.

SKU: HL.319783

UPC: 888680972844.

What a Morning! is an ideal arrangement for a resurrection celebration. Arranged by Jim Covell, the arrangement uses the familiar spiritual, My Lord, What a Morning, to gradually build to a moment when the choir invites the congregation to join new lyrics set to the familiar tune, Bunessan (Morning Has Broken). This inspiring resurrection anthem also has options for soloist(s), handbells, and either full or brass instrumentation.

SKU: CF.YAS33

ISBN 9780825858468. UPC: 798408058463. 8.5 X 11 inches. Key: G major.

A walk through the park or a morning stroll through the forest is what this piece best calls to mind. With its pastoral setting and lush melodies, Velvet Morning will truly showcase your group's mastery of legato playing.
Velvet Morning is a warm and colorful work for string orchestra. Please play con sordino if available. The music is a reflection of my love for the orchestral music of Barber, Ravel, Debussy and Satie. It should have the same sense of passion and intensity that those masters employ in their music.The opening tempo is marked rubato, and should speed up then slow down based on the phrases. The main melody appears at m. 11 in the first violins and should have a flowing quality. The harmony does utilize some slight dissonances from time to time which should be emphasized. The violas and cellos take over the melody at m.19 with a counter line in the violins. The melody returns to the violin at m. 27 with a pianistic cello line punctuated by pizzicato in the bass. Some transitional material follows that builds up to a full presentation at m. 47. Let the ensemble open up here with an intense, full sound. This winds down to a return of the introduction at m. 60. The ending should be tender and deliberate all the way to the last plush chord.

About Carl Fischer Young String Orchestra Series

This series of Grade 2/Grade 2.5 pieces is designed for second and third year ensembles. The pieces in this series are characterized by:
--Occasionally extending to third position
--Keys carefully considered for appropriate difficulty
--Addition of separate 2nd violin and viola parts
--Viola T.C. part included
--Increase in independence of parts over beginning levels

SKU: HL.1428118

UPC: 196288202240.

“My Lord! What a Morning” follows the tradition of spirituals by opening with a soulful chorus expressing deep sentiment. The verse that ensues not only introduces musical diversity but also serves as the narrative foundation, providing context for the emotional chorus that follows. This structure creates a compelling ABA format: while the A section vividly describes the falling stars, the B section poignantly alludes to the impending second coming of the Son of God as the catalyst behind this celestial event. This piece captures the stark contrast of the B section through staggered vocal entrances, a brisker tempo, and a crescendo culminating in a hauntingly profound chord on the word “underground” in bar 22. This is predominantly an SAB arrangement, occasionally diverging with nuanced vocal splits in the lowest voice part. The juxtaposition of these elements ensures an evocative and captivating performance, painting a vivid musical picture of this spiritual masterpiece.

SKU: MN.30-510

UPC: 688670305108.

This creative arrangement combines two great spirituals to create a unique setting for worship or concert use. The piece incorporates My Lord, What a Morning and Give Me Jesus..

SKU: BP.BP2331A

UPC: 748769923313. 8.5 x 11 inches.

Organ Part for Resurrection Hymn (See What A Morning) accompaniment.