The Blessing: Mixed Choir A Cappella: Choral Score

Par GILL JOANNA. This work is a reflective setting of a popular blessing used regularly in both church services and within choral concerts. Scored for unaccompanied mixed choir, the four parts are often divided to create an eight-part texture. The main melodic interest is carried in the soprano line over a supporting line of six parts provided by the lower voices. Within this short setting a variety of beautiful shifting choral combinations are used: sopranos and tenors against altos and basses, sopranos against altos, tenors and basses and finally alto and tenor lines which lead into the concluding six-part texture ending on a radiant E major chord spread over three octaves. Within these voice combinations we hear a choral texture which spans just the interval of a perfect fifth to the concluding three octave final chord, creating a wide palette of choral sound in a short space of time. Joanna herself says the following about this work: I wrote “The Lord’s Blessing” in 2018. That year, I had been on tour to New York with the London Symphony Chorus and we got the privilege to spend a day with the Westminster Choir College. At the end of the day they sang a blessing over us and I thought it was such a beautiful moment. So as soon as I got home I wrote a short blessing that I imagined would be sung at the end of a concert as a blessing over the audience. I dedicate it to the LSC./ Répertoire / Choeur Mixte SATB a Cappella

This delicate unison setting of the well-known Irish Blessing is both simple and lyrical providing an emotional connection between singers and listeners. The rise and fall of each musical phrase builds momentum to the fourthphrase allowing the melody to soar. Ideal benediction for concert or service!

Heather Sorenson puts a new spin on this ancient hymn making it appealing for choirs of any size. The contemporary flavor in this arrangement will make it workable for a variety of congregations. Available separately: SATB ChoirTrax CD. Score and parts (fl 1-2 ob cl 1-2 tpt 1-3 hn tbn 1-2 tbn 3/tba perc 1-2 hp rhythm vn 1-2 va vc db) available as a CD-ROM and as a digital download. Duration: ca. 3:00.

Several traditional Irish blessings beautifully combined together with a simple vocal arrangement. The piano accompaniment is thoughtfully contemporary which brings great appeal to younger singers. A lovely way to add an encore performance to your programming. Several traditional Irish blessings beautifully combined together with a simple vocal arrangement. The piano accompaniment is thoughtfully contemporary which brings great appeal to younger singers. A lovely way to add an encore performance to your programming.

This Celtic blessing is well-known and loved in many different versions and this setting will be especially effective as a gentle closing number or encore for school and community choirs. Easily-learned it offers opportunities toteach flowing lines diction and dynamic contrast.

Songs Of A Rainbow Nation comprises four great songs from South Africa arranged for soprano alto and combined men's voices with a straightforward piano accompaniment - ideal for beginner choirs and for choirs in which the male singers are few or at the stage when their voices are changing. Included are: Hamba Lulu - a wedding song with a gentle comforting rhythm; Jesu Ukukhanya - featuring a call-and-response structure where a simple solo line is followed by a choral answer; Si Njay Njay Njay - a joyfully exuberant song with an infectious rhythm which can also beperformed a cappella with some optional percussion for greater effect; and Weeping - a South African pop song from the band Bright Blue which uses as its chorus the refrain from the Zulu anthem N’kosi Sikeleli Africa (God Bless Africa).  If you enjoy these songs try L’Estrange’s hit cantata Zimbe! Come sing the songs of Africa!  The arrangements form part of the Choral Basics series which has been carefully designed to provide rewarding varied repertoire for beginner choirs. Perfect for singers of all ages the series offers attractive idiomatic arrangements for SA and SA/Men choirs with carefully considered vocal ranges and straightforward piano accompaniments that support the singers. Embracing world music spirituals folk song pop classics hit shows and original pieces this series offers everything a budding choir could wish for.

It was time for a new piece to serve as the concert closer and this is it. Selected for the Mike Scheibe Choral Series this benediction uses the text of an ancient Scottish blessing that is delightfully generic in nature. Warm deep and melodic this is a benediction that can be used anywhere - church school college community. Provided with both a piano and optional organ accompaniment (available separately) this selection is a precious end to any event. Easy to medium in difficulty.

A Service Blessing. A final prayer for those who offer their song as an offering of praise, this brief piece moves beyond music to encourage hearts and lives in service to the Lord. A simple melody gently bathes the anthem with a sense of innocence and sincerity. Well-balanced unison and four-part writing is supported by a pleasant and effective accompaniment. A precious and reverent way to end a worship gathering!

Simplicity often gives way to purity and beauty and that is the case with James Gosslers setting of this Irish room blessing. Serving as a concert closer or benediction the words bring peace and comfort. The music is equally serene written in achorale style.