SSA Choral Works
An Old-Fashioned Girl
Oh my! Such a super fun and entertaining choral arrangement of the 1957 Eartha Kitt song by the same name. The original tune is from the 1943 comedy-drama movie, "Thursday's Child". A perky and fun piano accompaniment keeps everyone on track while the flirty, quirky, good-natured and mischievous vocal parts will have everyone giggling and smiling. A must-have for any women’s choir!
LEVEL - early intermediate
A Voice In The World
Jazzy, contemporary, inspiring, reflective, and featuring a sparkling piano accompaniment - this piece for SSA/piano ticks all the boxes for a fabulous concert opener or closer. The form is ABCA, and each section has its own unique character and message. But who will hear those with no voice? I will ! We will !! Also available for SATB.
LEVEL - upper intermediate
NEW RELEASE in 2025
Balm in Gilead
Bring your audience or congregation to a place of peace with this tranquil and ethereal arrangement of There Is a Balm in Gilead for SSA choir. A rich piano accompaniment provides a gentle, forward moving feel to keep the music flowing underneath the sustained vocal lines. Helps develop extended phrasing, dynamic expression and breath control. The arrangement lets the beauty of the original melody shine through as it weaves and blends through all the parts. Suitable for sacred and secular occasions.
LEVEL - intermediate
Dreaming of Home
Based on the theme song from the 2005 movie, "Joyeux Noel". A sensitive and harmonically rich arrangement that provides a thoughtful contrast to any Christmas concert.
LEVEL - early intermediate
RELEASED in 2024.
in a corner of the stable
Take a step back in time and become a first hand witness to the life of Christ. in a corner of the stable is an intimate and sensitive work full of love, devotion, wonder and hope. Your choir's musicality and vocal skills will truly be challenged and showcased when performing this challenging work, and your audience will be rivetted to their seats! Suitable for Christmas, Easter or any sacred celebration.
NOTE - the audio file is a duet but it follows the SSA choral version very closely.
LEVEL - intermediate/early advanced
Ode To The Pig
Ode To The Pig is funny AND fun to learn and well within any choir's vocal range. This award winning composition will definitely, and with zero effort, improve your choir's facial expression skills and musical communication skills - they won't be able to stop themselves from being expressive! Based on a real life, REAL BIG Pig named Rita, it is comedic but not silly - appropriate for children and youth choirs as well as adult choirs. Part of the fun are allusions to well known tunes in the accompaniment including "All Things Bright and Beautiful", "The British Grenadiers", "God Save the Queen" and Chopin's "Sonata in B flat minor, 3rd movement". Ode To The Pig will educate your choir and entertain your audience - a sure hit!
NOTE - the soprano parts are 80% in two parts (Soprano 1 and Soprano 2); the alto part has occasional two part splits into Alto 1 and Alto 2.
LEVEL - early intermediate
Our World Is Full Of Colour
What a wonderful addition to any Elementary, Middle School or Community Children's Choir's repertoire. Easy to learn yet catchy melody, easy rhythms and optional percussion create a fun, engaging and entertaining piece. Utilizing the best range for young voices (D above middle C to D an octave above ) there are no notes too high or too low (rare in children's choir music). A delightful, "echoey" Part 2 teaches simple harmonies and counter-melody techniques. The text is relevant to young and old alike and carries a deeper meaning easily discovered and appreciated by both the choir and the audience! Our World is Full of Colour is sure to be a favourite with teacher's, students, and listeners! Published by Cypress Choral Music.
LEVEL - late beginner, early intermediate
She's Like the Swallow
This hauntingly beautiful and artistic arrangement of She's Like the Swallow contains the original, very old Newfoundland folk text very rarely used due to its tragic story line. It is in the genre of "beware the uncaring man" common in folk songs of Europe which served to teach and warn young girls about the dangers of infatuation. This genre travelled to the United States and Canada in the 1700's. The expression "apron low/apron high" is a common thread in this genre and refers to being pregnant. She's Like the Swallow tells the tragic tale of a young girl who has fallen in love with, no doubt, a handsome but uncaring man. The story is told from each character's perspective plus an observer (narrator). The girl ultimately creates her own funeral bower of rose petals (ripping them off in desperation as she frantically runs through a garden), lies down on this 'bed of roses' and dies. You have probably heard this song many times without ever knowing the true meaning due to significant verses left out. You will need a skilled accompanist! The accompaniment utilizes significant word painting throughout to highlight the haunting melody line. Word painting depicts the swallow, uncaring cruelty, desperation, blindly going in circles, anger, church bells and fading away/dying. The conductor is free to take liberties with the tempi and dynamics in order to create a unique interpretation that will resonate with their own choral group.
This arrangement of She's Like the Swallow is an exceptional festival or competition piece, and one that should be in the repertoire of every skilled women's choir!
LEVEL - upper intermediate/early advanced
Where Fancy is Free
(Come by the Hills)
Capture the wonder of the highlands of the Isles in this exquisite arrangement of the traditional folk song, Where Fancy is Free (Come by the Hills). Written for SSA with harp (or piano) and violin (fiddle style). Haunting, gentle and lilting with a timeless message to leave all cares for tomorrow and enjoy the beauty of the day. Very effective word painting perfectly defines the leaving of cares to wait ... time seems to stand still until the last note of the violin fades away. Both Ireland and Scotland claim this beautiful folk song so take your pick as to where you want to take your audience's fancy to!
LEVEL - early intermediate