Choral Dance No. 17

Light and carefree The Heart Will Dance is a merry expression of the power of music to lighten the spirit. For SSA choirs with optional percussion this happy choral dance is easy to learn and has a lilting almost“madrigal-like” quality in the “fa la la” section. “...a simple melody can set the spirit free...then The Heart Will Dance.”

Per Nørgård's Maya Dances (-for her unborn son) for mixed chorus SATB (1979/1992) - English version. Original Danish text by Ole Sarvig - from the opera Siddharta. English vocal version by Paula Hostrup-Jesse.The two melodies of MAYA DANCES was originally composed for children’s chorus and mixed choir with orchestra respectively as part of the opera SIDDHARTA (1974-79). The children’s song (bars 1-27) was later incorporated into the first movement of the choral work WIE EIN KIND for mixed chorus from 1979-80 (printed edition WH 29552). The presentchoral version for SATB from 1992 edited by Ivan Hansen and the composer is a combination of the two above mentioned songs from the opera. In the opera the children’s singing game describes the sad Queen Maya’s longing for a child. She senses the coming of a new age and is enlivened by dancing a fertility dance for the unborn prince Siddharta. Two themes alternate: the straightforward song of the children and the comment of Prajapati (Maya’s sister) on Queen Maya’s dance.   

Shawnee Press continues this top-selling vocal jazz series of chorals by Greg Jasperse with a third installment “VoiceDance III.” Greg has created a wordless vocal dance that has an African feel full of rhythmic percussive and forward-moving vocal expression. Use of repetitive lines allows this work to be learned rather easily. Outstanding for festivals concerts and even multicultural events!

Dances Of Time is a diverse collection of five choral songs addressing different aspects of time. Texts ranging from biblical to twentieth century are set to Chilcott's attractive and characterful music drawing on elements of dance forms in various styles.The work opens with a rhythmic setting of Henry VIII's famous text 'Pastime with good company' before the contrastingly wistful and reflective 'Today'. The carpe diem sentiment of 'Gather ye rosebuds' is heightened through its setting as a lively jig and in 'To every thing there is a season' a central section presents the paired images of the text from Ecclesiastes enclosed by almosthymn-like outer segments. The infectiously positive 'Life has loveliness' sums up the overall message of the collection: despite the passing of time we can celebrate the present through music and singing.

This lively original is set in the style of a Hungarian csardas with sparkling dance-like rhythms and a whirling twirling text that evokes the gypsy-style violin that it describes. Perform it as a concert piece or use the energetic ShowTrax Cassette to display a variety of European folk dances. Available: SAB 2-Part ShowTrax Cassette. Performance Time: Approx. 2:30.

Medley Discovery Level 2-A follow up to the popular Red River Dances and Appalachian Dances this folk setting from the Ozark Mountains is a colorful and creative showcase for young choirs! From the opening ballad it moves into rollicking dance tunes that will challenge your singers' diction and are super fun to rehearse and perform! Includes Barbara Allen; Arkansas Traveler; Risseldy Rosseldy. Available separately: 3-Part Mixed 2-Part ShowTrax CD. Duration: ca. 3:45.

“VoiceDance ” a wordless vocal dance celebrating the human voice and the joy of singing together is perfect for any occasion. Written for nationally-known jazz educator arranger and vocalist Jennifer Shelton for hermarriage to well-known drummer Steve Barnes this composition will teach your ensemble blend alternative time signature as well as the freedom found in singing together. A musical challenge your students will love.

'Ave verum was commissioned early in 2011 by Edward Rowntree for the birthday of his father John Rowntree director of music at Douai Abbey in the UK. My aim was to write a piece both short and simple suitable for regular liturgical use. There are of course many wonderful settings of this text already not least those by William Byrd and Edward Elgar both of which I sang as a boy. In this instance I felt their presence as a fellowship and having their music in my head while writing I was encouraged rather than daunted. In fact if you listen with this in mind you may hear a phrase or two in homage to the great masters.' - JohnDugganAn inspiring selection of new works from a range of contemporary composers the Novello New Choral Series offers pieces for all types of choirs including sacred and secular works from simple four-part settings to more expansive yet accessible repertoire in an exciting variety of styles.Born in 1963 John Duggan was a chorister at Westminster Cathedral and studied music at Oxford. While still a boy he dreamed of writing in the great European choral tradition of Victoria Tallis and Palestrina. His vocal music has delighted both singers and audiences across Europe and the United States and he composes regularly for film and dance. He has composed for a number of choirs including Commotio Westminster Cathedral Choir the Hildegard Choir and Sospiri and has written commissions for the Edington Music Festival Crossover Intergenerational Dance Group Oxford Youth Dance and The Oxford-Grenoble Association. John regularly performs as a singer and choral director and works as a recording engineer and producer. He has recently been appointed as a Creative Arts Fellow at Wolfson College Oxford.

A Celtic Choral Suite-Reminiscent of the popular “Riversong” comes this celtic-flavored original choral suite from Roger Emerson. From the quiet and reflective opening it explodes into the lively main theme. The buoyant and hope-filledlyric is perfectly matched to the rhythmic dance-like character of the piece. Optional violin and flute in the Instrumental Pak add sparkle!

This first work in the choral series Songs of the World (edited by Andre de Quadros) is by Leong Yoon Pin one of Singapore's most-known composers. It is a spectacular rhythmic dance filled with percussive vigor. Overall this piece is rather advanced but well worth the effort.

The Dance Forever The Dance was commissioned by Michael Kibblewhite and the Hertfordshire Chorus. The first performance was given on 4 December 1999. (Revised 2002). The text has been compiled by the composer and is drawn from a variety of sources which use dance as a metaphor for life and death. In particular poems by Oscar Wilde and W H Auden have been incorporated into the text. Scored for Mezzo-Soprano Solo SATB chorus and Orchestra. Duration 30 minutes.

(Medley)-Try out your best moves in this fast-paced 6 minute medley that includes 10 all-time hits including the theme song from Fox-TV's Emmy-nominated series! Songs include: Dancing In The Street Dancing Machine Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now) Just Dance Let's Twist Again The Loco-Motion Shake It So You Think You Can Dance Straight Up Y.M.C.A. Available separately: SATB 3-Part Mixed 2-Part ShowTrax CD. Combo parts available as a digital download (tpt 1-2 tsx tbn bsx syn gtr b dm). Duration: ca. 5:45.