Songbird – serie

for SSA and pianoAlice is a quirky, light-hearted celebration of the Alice books by Lewis Carroll. The singers' tale of an encounter with the White Rabbit, the Cheshire Cat, and the Hatter is underpinned by a lively and characterful piano part. Spirited, fun, and with great potential for dramatic performance, this piece will be a memorable addition to any concert.A version for SATB and piano is available from the composer's website.

for SSAA and percussionThis bewitching setting tells the story of a young girl walking in an enchanted forest, mesmerized by dreamy, ancient songs sung by a chorus of birds. An atmospheric ostinato played on finger cymbals and claves accompanies the voices, and Quartel sets a strong melodic line against the warm harmonies of the birdsong.

for SA and piano I remember sets a text reflecting on the wonder of the natural world and the people who shape our lives. The stirring melody calls to mind the folksong tradition, and is underpinned by a gently flowing piano accompaniment. The middle section brings a contrast of tonality, with the altos accompanying the sopranos' melodic line, before the beguiling melody of the opening returns to bring the setting to a poignant close.

for SSA unaccompanied Songbird sets an evocative text by the composer describing songbirds that spin tunes of gold. The catchy, colourful melody is first presented by tutti voices, and is then woven through the vocal parts, often to scat accompaniment.

for SSA and pianoThis is a gentle setting of an optimistic text about joy and hope and the expression of these through song. Sister Song features delicate piano ostinatos, persuasive melodies, close harmonies, and contrasts of unison and imitative writing.

for SA, piano, and percussionThis is an uplifting and expressive setting of a fun, descriptive text by Christie Dickason that characterizes the sky in an imaginative way. The compelling melodies are underpinned by a dynamic piano part, often featuring rippling quavers, and charcterful interjections from the glockenspiel and suspended cymbal complement the narrative. A contrasting middle section in triple time quotes from the Northumbrian folk song 'When the boat comes in', while the final section is affirmatory in feel, emphatically repeating the final line of the poem, 'and I will grow'.

for SAA and pianoThe quirky style of The Look perfectly complements the nature of Sara Teasdale's poem, which reminisces on past romances. The melody is catchy and colourful, with a stylistic ornament that gives the piece a carefree feel, and there are effective contrasts of tonality and texture. The voices are accompanied by a jazzy, characterful piano part with driving syncopations.

for SAA and pianoExhibiting Chydenius's unique style, this contemplative ballad sets a wistful text by American lyrical poet Sara Teasdale. The close harmonies, persuasive melodies, and appealing syncopations in the voices are underpinned by a stylistic piano part with a rhythmic chord pattern that creates a sense of build and drive. The Kiss is ideal for upper-voice choirs looking for an evocative concert piece.

for SSA and pianoWould Like To Meet is taken from a suite of three pieces by Cecilia McDowall called Lonely Hearts, composed in 2005. The whimsical text by Christie Dickason is a lonely hearts column written from the perspective of various animals and plants, and this imaginative theme is perfectly complemented by McDowall's spirited and fun setting. The mood is light and energetic, the piano part characterful, and the accessible and appealing vocal lines feature interspersions of scat writing.Lonely Hearts features on a 2007 CD dedicated to the composer's music recorded on the Dutton label.

for SSAA and pianoHere in my Heart is an uplifting and optimistic setting of an original text by the composer that explores the power of the natural world to fill the heart with song. The evocative melody perfectly complements the theme of the text and uses duplets and syncopated rhythms to create a lilting sense of ebb and flow. The rippling piano part and increasingly rich textures build to bring the piece to an emotive close.

for SSAA unaccompaniedMorning Light sets an optimistic text by the composer about home and finding your way. Inspired by American folksongs, the captivating melody and warm harmonies perfectly complement the uplifting theme of the text. Morning Light will be a welcome addition to the upper-voice repertoire.

for SSAA and hand drumVoice on the Wind sets an inspiring text, written by the composer, about the empowerment of singing. With a catchy melody, imitative scat singing, and a driving hand drum accompaniment, this piece has all the hallmarks of Quartel's innovative style.

for SSA and pianoThis atmospheric setting of familiar words from Shakespeare's As You Like It is sprightly and uplifting, with singers being asked by the composer to perform with 'a bit of frost and a knowing smile'.Blow, blow, thou winter wind was originally published in the collection Hark, hark, the lark.

for SA and pianoIn this charming piece for upper voices and piano, Ramsey's characterization of the fairy's monologue from Act 2, Scene 1 of A Midsummer Night's Dream is both fun and imaginative. The rhythmic fluidity, driving piano part, and clever accentuation perfectly complement Shakespeare's metre and rhyme scheme and bring the text to life.Over hill, over dale was originally published in the collection Hark, hark, the lark.

for SSA and piano This playful song sets the famous 'Beautiful Soup' poem from Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland in a suitably tongue-in-cheek manner. With lilting rhythms, intertwining lines, and opportunities for portamento, Beautiful Soup will make an enjoyable addition to any concert programme.

for SSA and piano As She Goes sets words by the composer on a reflective yet inspirational theme ('We were born to fly, but your wings come without a trial run'), against the backdrop of images from the natural world. The choral lines are simple and melodic, drawing on the sound-world of the folksong 'My Love's An Arbutus', which opens the work. Ideal for adult and youth upper-voice choirs, as well as children's choruses.

for SSA and piano, with optional violin duet Reginal Wright's emotional and uplifting Crossroad sets Robert Frost's well-known poem 'The road not taken'. A twinkling piano accompaniment supports the voices, and the optional violin duet floats above, expanding on figures from the vocal parts. A version for SABar and piano, with optional violin duet is also available.

for SA, piano, and percussionThis original composition sets the composer's own text celebrating freedom of expression and the music within each of us. Accompanied by hand-drum and piano, the piece is an exciting and engaging sing filled with teachable moments and opportunities for musical growth, with simple legato and two-part passages, and vocal percussion.Also available in a version for CBar, piano, and percussion, which is fully compatible with this upper-voice version.

This delicate, spring-like poem, by poet Kevin Crossley-Holland, is an affectionate salutation to a newborn babe. The poet tells that the parents couldn't decide on a name for their baby, and that instead of imposing an inappropriate name on her, they will welcome her into the garden of the world and wait for her to 'declare' herself. After a hushed introduction of whispered welcomes, the voices burst into a dance-like song in celebration of the new arrival's homecoming.

for SSA and pianoThis original suite sets anonymous instructions found in packaging to general household goods, providing amusing and theatrical highlights as well as musical interplay and formal episodes. The three contrasting movements are contemporary yet accessible in style, with catchy melodies and jazz-inspired harmonies.

for upper voices with piano accompaniment and unaccompanied A celebration of Oxford's popular Songbird series, this collection of nine original works for upper voices in two, three, and four parts meets the need for fresh concert repertoire for youth and women's choirs. Featuring well-known composers such as Kerry Andrew, Cecilia McDowall, and Sarah Quartel, the collection includes a variety of styles and moods and a selection of pieces that are all melodically appealing and immediately approachable, with a contemporary twist. Texts from across the years touch on a range of themes, from the empowering to the quirky, with a particular emphasis on the natural world. Performance notes from compilers Neil Ferris and Joanna Tomlinson provide invaluable tips for rehearsal and performance, making this a complete and practical collection for contemporary upper-voice choirs.

for SSAA unaccompaniedThis a cappella setting of evocative words by E. Pauline Johnson is immediately appealing, with its playful, swinging syncopations and dancing scat accompaniment.

for SSA and pianoGrow is a warm and heartfelt setting of words by the composer that celebrate human personal growth, comparing this to the season change from winter to spring. A rocking piano part underpins the eminently singable vocal lines, and a scat section draws the piece to a reflective close.

for SA and piano Commissioned by the Treble Makers Women's Choir to celebrate both their 10th anniversary and the 150th anniversary of Canada, this secular work for upper voices sensitively sets Langston Hughes's poem of the same name. A lilting melodic line, eloquent part-writing, and an effective piano part combine to create a piece that will appeal to both youth and adult upper-voice choirs.

for SSA and pianoThis work for upper voices with a text by the composer was inspired by members of the Radcliffe Ladies' Choir and their motto 'friendship through singing'. The lilting vocal lines are subtly underpinned by a delicate piano accompaniment, and the opening performance direction, 'contentedly rocking', describes the overall nature of the piece: peaceful, content, and easy-going.

SSAA unaccompaniedI will be with you sets a reflective text by the composer with a message of enduring solace. Lush harmonies, with predominantly homophonic passagework, coupled with flowing and cascading lines in every voice part make for a tranquil musical experience. Also available in a version for unaccompanied SATB choir.

for SSAA and hand drumIn this fast and energetic piece, Quartel sets her own text celebrating the joy of singing. The melody weaves in and out of the texture, supported by dynamic vocal accompaniment and rhythmically driven by the hand drum. This is a memorable and uplifting song ideal for concert and festival performance.

for SSA and pianoOriginally published as part of the Songbird collection As you sing, this is a beautiful and modern setting of a traditional text, popularised by Orlando Gibbons' well-known madrigal 'The silver swan'. Tarney draws upon the themes of nature, love, life, and loss to create melodies that are yearning and flowing, and supports the voices with a graceful and delicate piano accompaniment.

for SSAA unaccompanied Setting the modernized words of an Anglo-Saxon metrical charm, this thrilling piece is unusual, dramatic, and beguiling. Featuring a whispered list of potion ingredients for the intro and outro, it also includes whistling, modal touches, and some very funky riffs--to be performed with freedom, energy, and imagination!