FA ’20: MUED 376: Choral Music, Methods and Materials

Dr. van der Vat-Chromy

22M. Decolonized Concert Programming Assignment

 This assignment is the opportunity to design a major seasonal

concert program in an decolonized format that will include three/four
different ensembles of different vocal settings.

 Each program must include 10-12 pieces, varying in voicing, style,

and difficulty. For example, plan to program 3 pieces for your SATB
choir, 3 for your TTB Ensemble, 2 for your Children’s Choir, 3 for
your Treble Choir (s) and a combined Finale, and maybe even a
Combined Opener?!

For example, you may choose from:

K-12 choirs: #BLM/Activism/Fall/Winter/Spring/Graduation Concert

Church choirs: Advent/Easter Program, etc.
Grades 6 -12: #BLM/Activism/Cabaret/MUTH/Opera (“An Evening of Opera”)

 Please give your concert a name or a theme, which will serve as the
organizing principal for your concert.

 For each selection, please enter the necessary information into the
template found on the next page, re-titling “Piece 1”, “Piece 2”, etc.
as you proceed.

 After completing your assignment, please save your document as

a .pdf, and send it to everyone in the class. In this way, we will have
17 concert programs in our files!
 1
MUED 376: Choral Music, Methods and Materials
Concert Programming Assignment

Conductor Name: Hailey Williams

Date: 12/17/2024

Concert Theme/Title: Buffalo Run Middle School Winter Concert

To be performed by: 6th Grade Choir, Concert Choir, Beautiful Buffalo Chorale, and the
Buffalo Run Singers

Concert Rationale:
This concert is our program’s winter concert taking place in December. All our program’s
choirs will perform.

PROGRAM AT A GLANCE
(List pieces, composers, accompanists, soloists and instrumentalists as needed)

TITLE Composer/dates

6th Grade Choir

Sanctus Greg Gilpin (b.1964)

You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch Albert Hague (1920-2001)

Arr. Jeff Funk (b. 1971)

Ethan Walker, drums

John Foley, bass

Concert Choir

Psallite Mary Lynn Lightfoot (b. 1952)

God Be In My Head Andrea Ramsey (b.1977)

Witness Victor C. Johnson (b. 1978)

Beautiful Buffalo Chorale

Dobrú Noc (Good Night) Victor C. Johnson (b. 1978)

Johnny Park, violin

Eight Days of Light Judith Clurman (b. ####)

The Shepherd's Spiritual Donald Moore (b. 1938)

 2

Buffalo Run Singers

Ave Maria Julio Dominguez (b.

1965)

Baraka Na Wewe Victor C. Johnson

(b.1978)

Ben Goetz, djembe

December in my Hometown

Pinkzebra

Combined Choirs

Glow Teresa Jennings

(b.1956)

Avery Watkins and Isla Hogge, duet

Ethan Walker, drums
John Foley, bass
Jonah Barnett, guitar
 3
PIECE #1
Title Sanctus
Composer Greg Gilpin (b.1964)
Arranger -
Voicing 2 Part
Length 2:30
Time period/genre/style Pub. 2022
Sacred/secular Sacred
Forces (a cappella, instruments?) Piano
Difficulty level & age level Easy, 5th or 6th grade
Key(s) Eb
Meter(s) 3/4
Publisher and Publisher # Heritage Music Press
Cost per octavo $2.75
Miscellaneous 6th Grade Choir

Annotated discussion, program notes, and/or important information for consideration:

Sanctus is a more recent release by Greg Gilpin, who is a well-known ASCAP award
willing composer and arranger and a highly respected choral conductor in the U.S. and
internationally. The flowing setting of the traditional Latin text includes a creative piano
motive that really keeps the piece moving. This piece is great for the beginning choir, as
the harmonies are simple, yet beautiful, and it introduces the choir to new languages.

Translation:

Holy, Lord God of Hosts

Heaven and Earth are full of your Glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
 4

PIECE #2
Title You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch
Composer Albert Hague (1920-2001)
Arranger Arr. Jeff Funk (b. 1971)
Voicing Unison/2 Part
Length 2:30
Time period/genre/style Copyright: 1966, jazzy
Sacred/secular Secular
Forces (a cappella, instruments?) Piano, Drums, Bass
Difficulty level & age level Easy, 5th or 6th grade
Key(s) C Minor
Meter(s) 4/4
Publisher and Publisher # T5780YC5
Cost per octavo $2.10
Miscellaneous 6th Grade Choir

Annotated discussion, program notes, and/or important information for consideration:

Featured in the ever-popular Dr. Suess cartoon “How The Grinch Stole Christmas”, this
delightfully dramatic song is a favorite for the 6th grade choir. Jeff Funk creates this fun
arrangement for all ages to enjoy. Set in a minor key, with theatrical effects in the
accompaniment, spoken lines, and wonderfully entertaining lyrics, we’re sure that the
Grinch won’t be the only one stealing things this holiday season, our 6th graders will steal
your hearts with their performance!
 5

PIECE #3
Title Psallite
Composer Mary Lynn Lightfoot (b. 1952)
Arranger -
Voicing SAB
Length 2:10
Time period/genre/style Copyright: 2017
Sacred/secular Secular
Forces (a cappella, instruments?) Piano, Drums, Bass
Difficulty level & age level Middle School Choirs, Easy/Medium
Key(s) F major
Meter(s) 6/8
Publisher and Publisher # Shawnee Press 35031927
Cost per octavo $2.10
Miscellaneous Concert Choir (7th and 8th non-audition SAB)

Annotated discussion, program notes, and/or important information for consideration:

This fun, upbeat piece helps young choristers get familiar with changing meters and the
latin language. The exuberant energy and driving rhythmic excitement runs through this
fun arrangement by Mary Lynn Lightfoot. Psallite is a song of praise and unity among
people.

Translation:
Sing with Praise! Make your voices one.
Sing to Christ, God’s only Son.
Allelujah!
 6
PIECE #4
Title God Be In My Head
Composer Andrea Ramsey (b.1977)
Arranger -
Voicing 2 Part
Length 2:10
Time period/genre/style Copyright: 2010
Sacred/secular Secular
Forces (a cappella, instruments?) Piano
Difficulty level & age level Easy, 5th and 6th
Key(s) B Major
Meter(s) 2/4
Publisher and Publisher # Alliance Music Publications AMP0804
Cost per octavo $2.50
Miscellaneous Concert Choir (7th and 8th non-audition SAB)

Annotated discussion, program notes, and/or important information for consideration:

This lovely work by Andrea Ramsey is a lyric, fluid rendering of the familiar text from
the Book of Hours (1541). Elegantly simple, it offers the opportunity for young choirs to
explore ton, blend, and musical sensitivity while offering a message of comfort. We hope
that our music can bring you comfort this holiday season.
 7

PIECE #5
Title Witness
Composer Traditional Spiritual
Arranger Victor C. Johnson (b. 1978)
Voicing Three Part Mixed
Length 2:15
Time period/genre/style Copyright: 2014, spiritual
Sacred/secular Sacred
Forces (a cappella, instruments?) Piano
Difficulty level & age level Middle School Choir, Medium
Key(s) F Major
Meter(s) 4/4
Publisher and Publisher # Heritage Music Press 15/3098H
Cost per octavo $2.95
Miscellaneous Concert Choir (7th and 8th non-audition SAB)

Ranges:

Part 1: D4-E5
Part 2: A3-B4
Part 3: F3-E4

Annotated discussion, program notes, and/or important information for consideration:

Witness is a traditional Negro Spiritual arranged by Victor C. Johnson with

contemporary harmonies, cool syncopations in the vocal lines, and a rhythmically
supportive accompaniment. This piece energizes listeners to stand up for what they
believe in and tells the story of Samson from the Bible. The concert choir is excited to
perform this piece for you, as it was their hardest of the semester, and they are very
proud of their work.
 8
PIECE #6
Title Dobrú Noc (Good Night)
Composer Traditional Spiritual
Arranger Victor C. Johnson (b. 1978)
Voicing SSA
Length 2:25
Time period/genre/style Copyright: 2011, Ballad/Lullaby
Sacred/secular Secular
Forces (a cappella, instruments?) Piano, Violin
Difficulty level & age level Middle School Choir, Medium
Key(s) G Major
Meter(s) 4/4
Publisher and Publisher # Heritage Music Press 15/2806H
Cost per octavo $2.95
Miscellaneous Beautiful Buffalo Chorale (SSA Select Ensemble)

Ranges:

SI: E4-Eb5
SII: B3-D5
Alto: G3-C5

Annotated discussion, program notes, and/or important information for consideration:

Dobrú Noc is a beautiful lullaby that features lines in Slovak. The Beautiful Buffalo
Chorale felt that the piece was being sung by a mother to a child. Each stanza of the
work is superbly crafted by Victor C. Johnson, with an a cappella verse in English.

Translation from Slovak:

Good night my dear, sleep well
Let your dreams be about me
English Lines:
Close your eyes, do not cry;
Sleep my dear one, sleep on, my child.
 9

PIECE #7
Title Eight Days of Light
Composer Judith Clurman, David Chase
Arranger -
Voicing SSA
Length 3:15
Time period/genre/style Chanukah
Sacred/secular Sacred
Forces (a cappella, instruments?) Piano
Difficulty level & age level Middle School Choir, Medium
Key(s) Bb Major
Meter(s) 3/4
Publisher and Publisher # Hal Leonard Corporation 00298924
Cost per octavo $2.50
Miscellaneous Beautiful Buffalo Chorale (SSA Select Ensemble)

Annotated discussion, program notes, and/or important information for consideration:

Eight Days of Light is a song celebrating Chanukah in both English and Hebrew. Lyrical
vocal lines with touches of polyphony create lovely harmonic progressions supported by
an elegant Piano accompaniment. This song is truly beautiful, especially in it’s setting
for treble choirs.

Text:
Eight Days of Lights,
Eight Sacred Lights!

We give thanks to Your Name

For your miracles,
We give thanks to Your Name
For your wonders.
 10

PIECE #8
Title The Shepherd’s Spiritual
Composer Rise up Shepherd and Follow, Spiritual
Arranger Donald Moore
Voicing SSA
Length 2:03
Time period/genre/style Spiritual
Sacred/secular Sacred
Forces (a cappella, instruments?) Piano, Tambourine
Difficulty level & age level Middle School Choir, Medium
Key(s) Bb Major
Meter(s) 4/4
Publisher and Publisher # BriLee Music Publishing BL909
Cost per octavo $2.50
Miscellaneous Beautiful Buffalo Chorale (SSA Select Ensemble)

Range:
SI: D4-D5
SII: D4-Bb4
Alto: Bb3-Bb4

Annotated discussion, program notes, and/or important information for consideration:

Rise Up Shepherd and follow energizes listeners to follow the star and find the hope that
waits for them! This setting is up-tempo, and the Beautiful Buffalo Chorale’s energy
really makes the piece sparkle. Donald Moore arranges this piece with fun in mind, and
we are excited to share that with you!
 11

PIECE #9
Title Ave Maria
Composer Julio Domínguez
Arranger -
Voicing SAB
Length 3:10
Time period/genre/style Motet
Sacred/secular Sacred
Forces (a cappella, instruments?) A cappella
Difficulty level & age level Middle School Choir, hard
Key(s) A Major
Meter(s) 4/4
Publisher and Publisher # Walton Music WLG145
Cost per octavo $2.10
Miscellaneous Buffalo Run Singers (Select SAB)

Annotated discussion, program notes, and/or important information for consideration:

The classic Ave Maria latin text is set beautifully by Julio Domínguez in 3 part harmony
without accompaniment. The Ave Maria is a song of praise, hailing Mary for having the
Son of God. The Buffalo Run Singers have worked very hard to prepare this piece and
are very excited to share it with you.

Translation:
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee.
Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners,
Now and in the hour of death. Amen.
 12

PIECE #10
Title Baraka na Wewe
Composer Victor C. Johnson
Arranger -
Voicing SAB
Length 2:00
Time period/genre/style Traditional East African
Sacred/secular Secular
Forces (a cappella, instruments?) A cappella, djembe
Difficulty level & age level Middle School Choir, medium
Key(s) Bb Major
Meter(s) 4/4
Publisher and Publisher # Choristers Guild CGE348
Cost per octavo $2.25
Miscellaneous Buffalo Run Singers (Select SAB)

Range:
S: D4-D5
A: A3-A4
B: F#3-D4

Annotated discussion, program notes, and/or important information for consideration:

This East African song is sure to get you moving in your seat! Victor C. Johnson sets this
East African text with fun harmonic layering and only a djembe. The Buffalo Run
Singers and the rest of the Buffalo Run choir department want to wish you joy, hope,
peace, and love this holiday season!

Translation:
Blessings to you
We wish you joy
We wish you hope
We wish you peace
We wish you love
 13

PIECE #11
Title December in my Hometown
Composer PinkZebra
Arranger -
Voicing SAB
Length 3:20
Time period/genre/style Contemporary
Sacred/secular Secular
Forces (a cappella, instruments?) Piano
Difficulty level & age level Middle School Choir, medium
Key(s) Eb Major
Meter(s) 3/4
Publisher and Publisher # Pinkzebra Publishing 2303012
Cost per octavo $2.65
Miscellaneous Buffalo Run Singers (Select SAB)

Annotated discussion, program notes, and/or important information for consideration:

“December in my Hometown” tells the sweet story of returning to your hometown for
the holidays, and the warmth that you feel from old friends and family, and how time and
place can connect people. This emotional ballad is written with beautiful harmonies and
a tender piano part that will melt your heart. Your children are currently making
memories that they will hold dear and come back to in their adult lives during the month
of December.
 14

PIECE #12
Title Glow
Composer Teresa Jennings
Arranger -
Voicing SAB
Length 3:20
Time period/genre/style Contemporary, bluesy
Sacred/secular Secular
Forces (a cappella, instruments?) Piano, guitar, bass, drums
Difficulty level & age level Middle School Choir, medium
Key(s) A Major
Meter(s) Cut time
Publisher and Publisher # Plank Road Publishing
Cost per octavo $1.95
Miscellaneous Combined Choirs

Annotated discussion, program notes, and/or important information for consideration:

The bluesy tune, “Glow”, is a song of peace that uses light as a metaphor for the
connection to each other. We are so excited to be joined by some very talented musicians
for the accompaniment of this song, and we hope you have a great holiday season full of
peace and happiness.