SKU: GI.G-10563
ISBN 9781622775996.
Conductor, chorus director, airplane pilot, educator, activist, mentor, and advocate Margaret Hillis blazed a trail upon which many continue to tread. The first woman to regularly conduct a major symphony orchestra, she was the founder of the Chicago Symphony Chorus and served for thirty-seven years as its first director, winning nine Grammy Awards. She was also a flight instructor for the U.S. Navy during World War II, an influential member of the National Endowment for the Arts, and built a reputation for her meticulous score preparation and innovative methods of refining choruses into superb ensembles. She earned the respect of the world’s major conductors along with the admiration and affection of many musicians, colleagues, and music lovers. But as compelling as what Margaret Hillis achieved is how she deftly circumvented the constant barriers in fields where women were not welcome. Further complicating her career aspirations, Margaret Hillis was a lesbian woman in an era when such an identity would have certainly ended her career. In Margaret Hillis: Unsung Pioneer, author Cheryl Frazes Hill—a longtime colleague and associate—examines how Hillis was able to overcome the many challenges she faced, navigating a career in ways relatable not only to musicians but also to women in all professions. Margaret Hillis’s story is one of resilience, determination, and passion for music. Her journey is an inspiration, a portrait of what it takes to succeed at the highest level in any field. Dr. Cheryl Frazes Hill is the Conductor of the Milwaukee Symphony Chorus and the Associate Conductor of the Chicago Symphony Chorus (CSC). Beginning as a member of the CSC in 1976, Margaret Hillis appointed Frazes Hill to the CSC conducting staff in 1987. Frazes Hill has served as professor of music at Roosevelt University’s Chicago College of Performing Arts since 2002. A frequent guest conductor, Frazes Hill is a published writer for national education and choral journals on topics of her research in music education and choral conducting. She is married to Dr. Gary Hill, and they have two children, Carlyn and Mitchell.  We are living in an age when strong women are accomplishing amazing things—and this is the story of a woman who succeeded in the male world of orchestral conducting and established the award-winning Chicago Symphony Chorus. Her life consisted of challenges continually met and conquered, and her relentless drive for excellence in her profession. Cheryl Frazes Hill gives us a carefully researched, balanced, and well-written account of her eventful life and achievements. —Alice Parker   Renowned conductor, composer, and longtime friend of Margaret Hillis Cheryl Frazes Hill was in a unique position to observe the career of Margaret Hillis because she was close to her on a personal and professional level. What is particularly gratifying about this biography is that it is clearly the work of someone who admires Margaret Hillis’s accomplishments, but at the same time Frazes Hill has retained a balanced objectivity about her subject. I came away from reading this with a greatly increased knowledge about Margaret Hillis, along with a deep appreciation for what she accomplished as a true pioneer. —Henry Fogel   Former President, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, League of American Orchestras   Dean Emeritus, Chicago College of Performing Arts, Roosevelt University.
SKU: AP.48487
UPC: 038081553108. English.
This fast-paced mini-medley (only 4.5 minutes in length) pays homage to the strong female characters in Lin-Maunuel Miranda's Hamilton! The powerful arrangement includes a few opportunities to showcase outstanding soloists and more than enough SSA writing for all of your singers to shine!
SKU: GI.G-9980
UPC: 785147998006. English. Text Source: Inspired by the words of Pope Francis.
In the words of the composer, “Inspired by the wisdom of Pope Francis, who offers, ‘Show by your life that it is worth giving your time and talents in order to attain high ideals, that it is worth recognizing the dignity of each human person, and it is worth taking risks for Christ and his Gospel,’ this piece tries to explore every facet of what it means to let your life speak what you truly believe.†Lori True’s experiences working with the students of St. Catherine University, strong women whose actions speak as loudly as their cries for justice, inspired the composition of “Show by Your Life.†The verses can be sung by a cantor, but the community can learn and pray them to God and to one another, keeping one another accountable to the mission of the gospel.
SKU: XC.SATB2103
UPC: 812598038255. 6.75 x 10.5 inches.
This truly lovely Appalachian folk song is given a hauntingly beautiful setting by arranger Jamey Ray. This will work nicely for a choir with strong women’s voices, with occasional divisi, but the men’s parts stay with a strictly two-part voicing. Simply gorgeous!
SKU: BA.BA07414
ISBN 9790006559183. 27 x 19 cm inches. Text Language: Latin.
Based on the well-known bible text “Sing unto the Lord a new song†(Psalm 96:1-3), this upbeat composition with strong dynamics and flowing block chords alternating with fast-paced polyphony brings across this joyful message and enthuses singers.Originally conceived for male choir, women’s voices have now been added so that this version for mixed choir presents a further dimension of colour. This version also makes it possible to divide the choir into two groups, one for women and another for men, and to have them sing either together or as separate units. The version for mixed choir was premiered in Uppsala Cathedral (Sweden) on 26 October 2013, with the Uppsala Cathedral Singers conducted by Ulric Andersson.“My music is my own and I have never tried to be original. That has always been my motto and I have only tried to use music to express all the feelings which life has to offer. This has led people to describe my music as ‘so sad that it sounds like birds who have lost their wings‘ but also as ‘the happiest classical music that we have ever heard’.My compositions are almost all sacred. They express not only my own faith but also my appreciation and respect for the timeless texts that have been used for centuries and centuries.â€MÃ¥rten Jansson (b. 1965), elected member of the Föreningen svenska tonsättare (the Society of Swedish Composers), graduated from the Royal College of Music, Stockholm (KHM) with an MFA degree in Music Education, Dalcroze Eurhythmics and Voice. For more than ten years he was the music director and conductor of “Carmenâ€, one of the most prominent womens’ vocal ensembles in Sweden. He currently teaches choral conducting and music theory as well as giving vocal tuition at the Bolandgymnasiet and Musikskolan in his home town of Uppsala.Please find a recording of Cantate Domino performed by the Riga Recording Studio Singers (Latvia) by clicking on Multimedia.
SKU: PR.114418110
ISBN 9781491111994. UPC: 680160640423.
The film noir genre of 1940s cinema typically includes a strong but flawed male lead (often a detective), a beautiful woman who coerces the male into committing murder or is a killer herself (a “femme fataleâ€), and a twisting plot line that involves one or more homicides. These movies typically are shot in black and white, with emphasis on shadows and light, alcohol and cigarettes, trench coats and fedoras. Most of the story lines do not have happy endings. Inspired by this genre, NOIR VIGNETTES consists of four movements, each depicting an aspect of film noir: Murder at Midnight, Loaded Gun, Femme Fatale, and Last Cigarette. String bass parts are provided both for standard orchestral tuning and for solo tuning.In the mid-1940s, film critics in France noticed a trend emerging in movies from the United States, which they coined film noir (which translates to “black filmâ€). These movies were dark, moody, and pessimistic, reflecting the agitation and anxiety present in society following World War II. Several characteristics are commonly found in many of these movies, including a strong but flawed male lead (often a detective), a beautiful woman who either coerces the male lead into committing murder for her or is a killer herself (a “femme fataleâ€), and a twisting, turning plot line that involves one or more homicides. Additionally, there are several visual elements that these movies share: many are shot in black and white, with great emphasis on the use of shadows and light; alcohol and cigarettes are heavily consumed by men and women alike; and men typically wear trench coats and fedoras. Most of the story lines do not have happy endings. Examples of film noir include Orson Welles’ The Lady from Shanghai, Billy Wilder’s Double Indemnity, and John Huston’s The Maltese Falcon.NOIR VIGNETTES for Double Bass and Piano consists of four movements, each depicting a different aspect of film noir: Murder at Midnight, Loaded Gun, Femme Fatale, and Last Cigarette.This piece was commissioned by the University of Illinois Research Board on behalf of double bassist Michael Cameron.-Stacy Garrop.
SKU: PR.114418630
ISBN 9781491114063. UPC: 680160642724. 9 x 12 inches.
The film noir genre of 1940s cinema typically includes a strong but flawed male lead (often a detective), a beautiful woman who coerces the male into committing murder or is a killer herself (a “femme fataleâ€), and a twisting plot line that involves one or more homicides. These movies typically are shot in black and white, with emphasis on shadows and light, alcohol and cigarettes, trench coats and fedoras. Most of the story lines do not have happy endings. Inspired by this genre, NOIR VIGNETTES consists of four movements, each depicting an aspect of film noir: Murder at Midnight, Loaded Gun, Femme Fatale, and Last Cigarette.In the mid-1940s, film critics in France noticed a trend emerging in movies from the United States, which they coined film noir (which translates to “black filmâ€). These movies were dark, moody, and pessimistic, reflecting the agitation and anxiety present in society following World War II. Several characteristics are commonly found in many of these movies, including a strong but flawed male lead (often a detective), a beautiful woman who either coerces the male lead into committing murder for her or is a killer herself (a “femme fataleâ€), and a twisting, turning plot line that involves one or more homicides. Additionally, there are several visual elements that these movies share: many are shot in black and white, with great emphasis on the use of shadows and light; alcohol and cigarettes are heavily consumed by men and women alike; and men typically wear trench coats and fedoras. Most of the story lines do not have happy endings. Examples of film noir include Orson Welles’ The Lady from Shanghai, Billy Wilder’s Double Indemnity, and John Huston’s The Maltese Falcon.NOIR VIGNETTES consists of four movements, each depicting a different aspect of film noir: Murder at Midnight, Loaded Gun, Femme Fatale, and Last Cigarette.This piece was commissioned by the University of Illinois Research Board on behalf of double bassist Michael Cameron; and it also published for Double Bass and Piano (114-41811). The cello version is transcribed by the composer.-- Stacy Garrop.
SKU: HL.284923
UPC: 888680876098. 6.75x10.5x0.029 inches.
British singer/songwriter Laura Mvula has crafted a song portraying the cycle of life of a female and the accompanying questions, emotions, and feelings of desperation. These emotions are captured beautifully in this arrangement for women's voices. The pop style is strong and free and a wonderful opportunity for your women's choirs to connect to these important lyrics in an arrangement that never gets in the way of the powerful emotions.
SKU: HL.49017958
ISBN 9790001170017. UPC: 884088520014. 0.066 inches. Latvian.
Peteris Vasks' strong attachment to his Latvian home country shows particularly in his choral music. Nature, customs and traditions as well as the idea of freedom are the central themes of the texts he sets to music, while carefully using modern techniques of choral singing as well. Alternating with traditional, even archaic singing, the music creates a multi-faceted, immediately effective sound image in the listener's mind.These three songs for female choir centre on the themes of man, nature and transience, and home in aphoristic brevity. Vasks wrote music on these folk poems which contains rewarding tasks for the choir and opens up a fascinating world of sound to the listener.