SKU: PE.EP68578
ISBN 9790300759630. English.
Of Time and Passing (2016) is a cycle of three choral songs written specifically for the London-based ensemble, VOCES8, taking into consideration their versatilityand ability to beautifully intone a range of vocal colors with precision and grace.
The first song, I. Life, sets my translation of the poem A Vida by Brazilian poet Olavo Bilac (1865-1918), a poet I discovered while studying Brazilian Portuguese at the University of Michigan. I was drawn both to the simplicity of the text and to the possibilities of teasing out dual contrasting moods. In the beginning and end, this song explores a texture that is very much alive: wave-like contours, throbbing sounds, and plenty of flowing movement. Rising eighth-note motives in particular emphasize the fleetingness of life. But in the middle of the song, the listener is given a slowed-down atmosphere to savor life's beauty.
II. To Everything a Season capitalizes on VOCES8's ability to effectively interpret popular genres a cappella. This ancient text is taken from Ecclesiastes (dated around 300 B.C.) but I set it to a modern, rhythmically-regular and percussive pop-style idiom. Since popular music in whatever era is designedto appeal to a specific ?present time?, it is by its very nature ephemeral, and therefore seemed an apt metaphor to evoke the transitory nature of seasons.
III. Into Your Hands, confines the writing into no more than four parts, often with octave unisons.This creates a more direct and word-focused setting in which the Psalmist?s urgent words are placed at the forefront. Largely homophonic, this song is at times chorale-like, at times madrigal-like,finally relinquishing it?s tension into peaceful rest, proclaiming ?You have redeemed me, O Lord, faithful God??
- Daniel Knaggs
SKU: WD.080689471179
UPC: 080689471179.
Places! Lights! Curtain Up! It’s time for The Star Factor and you have a front-row seat! The setting is Camp Heart & Soul, a summer arts camp that features a talent showcase with an exciting twist: the showcase winner earns the opportunity to compete on a national TV show. As everyone excitedly prepares for the performance, their initial group cooperation begins to crumble as their celebrity coach tells them that “looking out for yourself is the only way to become a star!†A series of zany complications climax at the broadcast of the show when all the would-be “stars†finally learn that being part of the Body of Christ is what is important, and every person has a special and unique role to play. The Star Factor is another home-run musical from the gifted pen of Christy Semsen, combining humorous characters, clever storytelling, and memorable songs that deliver a solid contemporary spiritual theme the whole audience will appreciate. Daniel Semsen has produced state-of-the-art accompaniment tracks – worthy of any television show – and a comprehensive Teacher's Resource Kit and performance Instructional DVD will provide all the production help and ideas you need for an impactful and unforgettable experience. So set your DVR for The Star Factor – it’s an experience you’ll want to become a part of again and again!
