God Is Our Refuge - SATB

Par HARVEY JONATHAN. Commissioned by the University of Sussex to celebrate their Silver Jubilee in 1986, God is Our Refuge sets Psalm 46 and is one of Harvey's easier choral works offering all choirs an ideal introduction to his choral writing. / Niveau : Facile / Répertoire / Voix Mixtes

A poem by Sara Teasdale is the inspiration for this minor-key setting which relies heavily on the piano and cello accompaniment to convey the deeply spiritual feeling of the text. For with my singing I can make a refuge for my spirit's sake a house of shining words to be my fragile immortality.

Edward Bairstow's anthem Lord Thou Hast Been Our Refuge re-engraved for SATB Choir and Organ. This piece incorporates text from Psalms 90 102 and 144.

Reduced Version-The Full Score of Eventide the epic composition inspired by the story of Edith Cavell compiled from texts relating to her imprisonment composed by the great Patrick Hawes. This is the reduced version scored for Soprano SATB Chorus Unison Semi-Chorus Trumpet Harp Organ and Strings. This work is dedicated to Sheringham and Cromer Choral Society and Gresham's Holt who first performed this work in Norwich Cathedral on the 12th of July 2014 to commemorate the centenary of the outbreak of the First World War.  Lasting around 45 minutes this large-scale work has the subtitle 'In Memoriam Edith Cavell' who is commemorated here as a nurse to German and British wounded who went on to provide refuge to escaped and lost British soldiers who were enabled by her to return to England. As a result of this she was arrested for 'treason' and condemned to death. While in prison her only possessions were her Bible her Book of Common Prayer and a copy of the Imitation of Christ. The libretto as compiled by Andrew Hawes is made up of extracts from these books as well as other materials relating to her final days.  This tribute to a brave and courageous life is fitting for a composition commemorating the First World War. The tragedy and pathos surrounding Cavell's life is hard for us to understand but by placing words so personal to her in the context of a piece of beautiful music it forces us to think and remember while also condemning the actions of so many figures of authority on an innocent and pious nurse during that horrific period. 

Some of the greatest music ever composed is now available in easy but effective arrangements so music enthusiasts of all abilities can take part in the performance. This collection provides fifteen of Mozart’s mostbeautiful choral music and is suitable for use in worship and in concert performance. Arranged for SAB Voices with Piano or Organ Accompaniment. Includes Agnus Dei from Coronation Mass Amplius lava me Aveverum Benedictus sit Deus Ecce Enim Veritatem Gloria from Missa Brevis in D (K 194) God is our refuge Halleluja Amen Jesus you died for me Jubilate Deo Kyrie from Missa Brevis in B flat (K275) Laudate Dominum (1) Laudate Dominum (2) Sancta Maria and Te Jesu deprecamur.

Par SPEARS GREGORY. The Tower and the Garden is a setting of three poems for choir and string quartet. The texts juxtapose the dangers of technological hubris (the tower) and the need for a place of refuge (the garden) in a world threatened by war and ecological disaster. Each text suggest ways in which Catholic thought and imagery might challenge the status quo. The first text, poem 80 from the collection “Cables to the Ace,” was written by Trappist monk and social activist Thomas Merton. It is an eschatological meditation on the garden of Gethsemane, where Christ’s disciples slept on the eve of his crucifixion. Merton compares their slumber to society’s indifference to the destruction of our natural world by potentially dangerous new technologies and war. The second text was written by poet and Catholic activist Denise Levertov. It is a meditation on the Tower of Babel and the tendency for technology in the information and nuclear age to serve only its own growth and to potentially destroy our lives in the bargain. The third poem, written by Keith Garebian, is an homage to queer filmmaker Derek Jarman and his cottage garden at Dungeness on the English coast. Situated precariously between a towering nuclear power plant and the sea, the garden was Jarman’s austere refuge during the final months of his struggle with AIDS. While an atheist and highly critical of the church, Derek Jarman was intrigued by the role religious and hagiographic narratives could play in his filmic indictments of Thatcher-era Britain. This is most notable in his film The Garden, which was shot on location in Dungeness. – Gregory Spears / Niveau : Avancé / Répertoire / Chœur Mixte SATB et Quatuor à Cordes

Composer Jay Althouse truly understands the capabilities of the small church choir. Here he sets his own text for mixed chorus with keyboard in a lovely lyrical style. Great for mission emphasis the piece would also work as an evening anthem or Pentecost. The concluding 'amen' might even be used as a response.

Here is a masterfully arranged choral song for when the themes of assurance and comfort are front and center. A lovely melody endears itself to the heart as the message based on a classic hymn text unfolds. Graceful part-writing brings warmth to the tapestry of sound and a flowing piano part assists the voices. A great option for Lent or anytime.

Reduced Version-The Full Score of Eventide the epic composition inspired by the story of Edith Cavell compiled from texts relating to her imprisonment composed by the great Patrick Hawes. This is the reduced version scored for Soprano SATB Chorus Unison Semi-Chorus Trumpet Harp Organ and Strings. This work is dedicated to Sheringham and Cromer Choral Society and Gresham's Holt who first performed this work in Norwich Cathedral on the 12th of July 2014 to commemorate the centenary of the outbreak of the First World War.  Lasting around 45 minutes this large-scale work has the subtitle 'In Memoriam Edith Cavell' who is commemorated here as a nurse to German and British wounded who went on to provide refuge to escaped and lost British soldiers who were enabled by her to return to England. As a result of this she was arrested for 'treason' and condemned to death. While in prison her only possessions were her Bible her Book of Common Prayer and a copy of the Imitation of Christ. The libretto as compiled by Andrew Hawes is made up of extracts from these books as well as other materials relating to her final days.  This tribute to a brave and courageous life is fitting for a composition commemorating the First World War. The tragedy and pathos surrounding Cavell's life is hard for us to understand but by placing words so personal to her in the context of a piece of beautiful music it forces us to think and remember while also condemning the actions of so many figures of authority on an innocent and pious nurse during that horrific period. 

Conducteur et parties
Saxophone Quartet (SATB)
The Three Songs (Trois Chansons) dating from 1914/15 were arranged for four a cappella voices by Ravel immediately after he had written the music of these pieces. The lyrics were penned by the composer himself. The songs represent Ravel's sole contribution to choral literature.
The first song consists of three sections and tells the story of Nicolette, who sets out to pick flowers in the fields. Just like Little Red Ridinghood, she meets a wolf who asks her if she is on her way to her grandmother's house (M.1-13). Fleeing from him, she meets a page who wonderswhether she would like to have him as her 'lover true'. She dismisses his proposition though she finds it hard to do so (M. 14-39). In the third section, she encounters a plump, unhandsome man (lento!). He speaks to her:'Stay, stay, my Nicolette, all this gold I give to thee', and - 'VIVO' - Nicolette takes refuge in his arms. (M.40 to end).
The Three Lovely Birds from Paradise are sky-blue, white as fallen snow and bright red - just like the colors of the Tricolore, the national flag of France - which has been interpreted in many reviews as a sign of an increasingly nationalistic attitude becoming apparent in the war year of 1914. This song mourns the loss of the beloved one who went to war.
The Ronde is also made up of three sections. The old women are the first to sing (M.1-28). They warn the young maidens against entering the forest since it is inhabited by all kinds of dangerous (male) beasts. Then (M. 29 ' 56) the old men warn the young lads against going into the woods because of the numerous (female) demons living there. The irony of the story is to be found in the final answer of the young people (as of M. 57), who conclude: 'We will not go into the woods since the old folks have frightened off all the beasts, anyway.'