Ken Berg: March: Mixed Choir a Cappella: Vocal Score

from Solfege Suite-When Ken Berg's first Solfege Suite for 2-part voices appeared a few years ago the response was unprecedented. Now the first set of three songs (Galop March and Bolero) has been revoiced for SAB (middle school) choir and offersthe same opportunities for learning the do-re-mi's that doubles as a concert piece.

from Solfege Suite-The first “Solfege Suite” consists of three pieces of contrasting styles: “Bolero ” “Galop ” and “March.” The names give away the character but the truly fabulous part is that thetext is all solfege. Singers learn about musical names intervals and solfege while singing programmable music. Written for the 2006 Alabama ACDA “Young Voices Boys Choir ” directors have been begging for the music'srelease since its premiere.

This anthem will feel immediately familiar to many listeners! Wilberg has adapted the words of a traditional hymn and set them to the melody of O little town of Bethlehem. With a lively accompaniment and spirited counter-melody the result is a sparkling and jubilant work that will suit both concerts and services of thanksgiving throughout the year.Mack WilbergMack Wilberg is the Music Director of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. He was appointed Music Director in March 2008 having served as Associate Music Director since May 1999. He is a former professor of music at Brigham Young University where he received his bachelor's degree; his master'sand doctoral degrees are from the University of Southern California. In addition to his conducting responsibilities he is active as a pianist choral clinician composer arranger and guest conductor throughout the United States and abroad. In addition to the many compositions he has written for the Mormon Tabernacle Choir his works have been performed by artists such as Renée Fleming Frederica von Stade Bryn Terfel The King's Singers and narrators Walter Cronkite and Claire Bloom. Wilberg's arrangements and compositions are performed and recorded all over the world. With their grandeur energy and craftsmanship they inspire performers and audiences everywhere.

In an upbeat march in 2/4 meter (the orchestral version starts with a snare drum) the choir lifts off in the bright key of D major. Lightly and with lots of bounce the voices celebrate the birth of the Saviour by imitating the leaps and accents of trumpets. Orchestral material is available on hire.

Somewhere Out There is a song written by James Horner Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil. It appears in the 1986 animated feature An American Tail produced by Steven Spielberg where it was sung beautifully by Linda Ronstadt and James Ingram.  The single went to #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart in March of 1987. It won two Grammy Awards in 1988 for Song of the Year and Best Song Written Specifically for a Motion Picture or Television. It also earned an Academy Award nomination in 1987 for Best Original Song.  Spielberg's tale is about a group of mice who after immigrating toNew York from Russia become separated and Fievel has to find his way back to his family. This inspirational song depicts the same sentiment of loss and optimism that the animated film shows and the popularity of the song is evident from the number of cover versions there are available most notably by Liza Minnelli at Carnegie Hall. The SAB arrangement of this brilliant tune will create a highly effective and emotional rendition that will pleasantly surprise your audience with a new and unique take on a familiar and famous film song.