Slave Choir

Vocal Score-Songs Of The Slave is a suite for Bass/Baritone and SATB Chorus. It is based on material from the Opera John Brown.

This is a setting of a text by Guyanese-British poet John Agard which describes how 18th-century slave-trader John Newton became an abolitionist. Featured on Orphei Drangar's CD De Profundis: Sacred Repertoire for Male Choir.

Released almost five years after his death Michael Jackson is still the star attraction! This track from his posthumous album Xscape was performed live at the 2014 Billboard Music Awards with Michael dancing in a holographic image. A dazzling selection for pop and show choirs with fantastic choreographic possibilities!

2-Part and Piano-Children's Choirs from the city of Cincinnati premiered this powerful original work at the National Orff Conference in November 2001. Telling the story of the Underground Railroad and one of its renowned conductors HarrietTubman it follows the slaves' escape to Freedom as it builds in emotional intensity with each new verse.Available separately: 2-Part and ShowTrax CD. Performance Time: Approx. 3:40.

The Glory Of Our God (Kol' Slaven) by Dmitry Stepanovych Bortniansky arranged by Anthony Antolini for SATB choir unaccompanied.

This arrangement of two Underground Railroad songs presents a good opportunity to experience the important historical period before the abolition of slavery. “Follow the Drinkin' Gourd” is an escape song in which thedrinkin' gourd refers to the Big Dipper pointing north. “Steal Away” is a traditional African-American spiritual where the words have double meaning. Available separately: 4-Part Any Combination of Voices ShowTrax CD.Duration: ca. 5:40.

This African American spiritual is a song of celebration anticipation freedom and hope. With references to the new Jerusalem as described by John the Revelator in the New Testament African American slaves could look forward to a heavenly landwhere they would no longer be bound by the bonds of servitude. Rhythmic and energized vocal lines are layered over the pulsing accompaniment for an excellent choral showcase.

Swing Low, Sweet Chariot started life as a spiritual – it was one of the many religious songs sung by slaves on the cotton plantations in the Southern states of America over a century ago. There has been much speculation as to why it has been adopted by England rugby supporters but it seems that the association is here to stay. This rousing sporting anthem would make an ideal encore for any concert program. This piece is part of the Faber Choral Singles series, offering a selection of beautifully crafted arrangements in a diversity of musical styles. From Broadway, pop and folk to spirituals, gospel and original works, the series is arranged for 3-part choir (soprano, alto and a combined male-voice part) providing flexibility for any choir. Complete with straight-forward piano accompaniments supporting the vocal lines, the Faber Choral Singles series guarantees the perfect repertoire for every occasion – so get exploring and get singing! / Choral Music / Répertoire / Choeur SAB et Piano

Novello New Choral Series-Craig McLeish writes of The Negro Speaks of Rivers; Langston Hughes (1902-1967) was the first black American to earn his living from writing. He was an innovator of jazz poetry becoming part of the Harlem Renaissance in the 1920s and 1930s. He wrote plays short stories novels and his poetry was widely read. He was also a journalist columnist and lecturer. The Negro Speaks of Rivers was perhaps his earliest published work written when only 17 and while travelling by train to Mexico to visit his father. As the train crossed the Mississippi he suddenly began thinking about how rivers had impacted on Negro history particularly in the fight against slavery.The four rivers mentioned in the poem lent themselves to using musical influences from those particular regions. However I have tried to keep these links fairly tenuous to avoid overt pastiche. A few years ago I was fortunate enough to work with Congolese musicians. These sessions led to the intricate rhythms in The Congo. The Mississippi mentions New Orleans so a jazz fugue seemed the most appropriate compositional device to weave into the texture. The spirit of The Nile was gauged from many hours listening avidly to Egyptian music.Craig McLeish began his musical life as a chorister at St Paul’s Cathedral. As a bass guitarist conductor musical arranger and composer he has worked with a wide variety of groups in several genres and scored a hit with the cult pop band ‘Fat & Frantic’. He is musical director of Young Voices UK and conducts several youth and community choirs in and around Milton Keynes. Listen to an excerpt from Craig McLeish's The Negro Speaks Of Rivers: