Prizewinner at the 1997 Delius Composition Competition. A song cycle that depicts four different romantic moods.

8-9 minutes Difficulty levels vary Alymar $15

1. When You Are Old

   Words by W. B. Yeats

   Two and a half minutes. Upper intermediate

   (The only one of the four songs in this cycle that should be sung by a male voice.)

   A song of lost love.

   Through-composed. (Although it ends with a return to the opening line.) Lyrical with a soaring dramatic climactic point near the end.

2. Let it be You

   Words by Sara Teasdale

   One and a half minutes, Intermediate

   This is a song that expresses deep love. (Dedicated to the composer's wife, Katherine.) In binary form with the same melodic figure opening both sections of the song.

   The song is somewhat chromatic but very lyrical and expressive.

3. Let it be Forgotten 

   Words by Sara Teasdale

   Two and a half minutes, Intermediate.

   This is a poem reflecting a melancholy mood.

   Through-composed with a recurring piano figure. This is a romantic, expressive song that reflects the melancholy of the words.

4. A Thunderstorm in Town 

   Words by Thomas Hardy

   One and half minutes, Intermediate (somewhat more difficult for singer.)

   The poem is a cute look at young love.

   The song is in a free strophic form.

   It is chromatic with some leaps for the singer.

From Act I, Scene I of Lily

Arranged for voice and piano.

This aria, sung by Lily to her main love interest Seldon, is a declaration of her dependence on others to maintain her social standing. It is written in the style of traditional operatic arias. That is to say there is strong melodic writing enveloped in a recognizable form.

An aria and duet from Act I, Scene II of Lily, an opera.

6 minutes, piano part is arranged from orchestral score.

This ultra-romantic excerpt from Lily begins with the aria, I have said I love you, sung by the male lead, Seldon, in which he declares his love for Lily and hopes for her love. This is followed by the duet I dare not dream, in which Lily and Seldon, indeed, express their love for one another.

A song from Act I, Scene I of Lily, an opera.

2 minutes, piano part is an arrangement of the orchestral score.

This song is part of the tableaux vivants that are in the opening section of scene I. It is sung by Marie-Lucette Fabienne. This is a simple, folk-like tune is sung while she is portraying the painting The Date Seller by Edwin Longsden Long.

An aria from Act I, Scene III of Lily, an opera.

5 minutes, piano part is an arrangement of the orchestral score.

This aria comes near the end of the first act. Lily has just realized that her life seems to be spiraling downhill. She reflects that life was so much easier before. Every thing was falling in place. Now she is in danger of losing everything and she also is concerned about the well-being of Seldon.

Three songs on poems by former Maryland state poet laureate.

8 minutes, Difficulty varies. Alymar $12

1. Self Portrait at 44 

   Two and half to three minutes. Intermediate.

   A song about middle age and the acceptance of our limitations and inadequacies.

   Through-composed song with a recurring romantic piano melody.

2. Marks 

   One and a half minutes Upper intermediate to advanced.

   The only one of the three songs that should be sung by a female voice.

   A humorous song of the modern woman standing up for her dignity.

   Through-composed but with similar melodic ideas throughout.

3. Caroline 

   Two and half to three minutes. Easy vocal, intermediate piano.

   This is a thoughtful song about the death of a woman.

   Through-composed bluesy song with extended dramatic piano part.

Words by Sara Teasdale

For female voice and piano.

Two and a half minutes Intermediate Alymar $5

A song expressing the realization that we can't always live up to our expectations.

In ternary form.

Intermediate level for both performers.

3 and a half minutes, Intermediate. Alymar $7

Words by Garth Baxter and Katherine Baxter freely adapted from a poem by Willa Cather

For female voice and piano.

Voice and piano version of highly successful song originally written for voice and guitar.

Touching memorial to the composer's wife's grandmother.

This song never fails to bring great response from audiences. It speaks to all who have lost a loved one.

Words by Thomas Hardy

Three minutes, Difficult for vocalist, intermediate for piano. Alymar $5

Heartbreaking lyrics of a wife receiving a letter stating that her husband has been killed in war, and then the next day she receives a letter from her husband written shortly before he died telling her how much he looked forward to seeing her again.

The music dramatically depicts the romance and the tragedy of the lyrics.

Voice and Guitar or Voice and Piano

6 minutes, Difficulty varies. Alymar

1. The Cradle Song 

   Words by William Blake.

   3 minutes, Lower advanced.

   An interesting text that begins as a lullaby of a mother to a baby and then midway becomes a song about the baby Jesus.

   The music is set in a binary form to reflect the poetry. Each section has two verses with each being set to similar music.

   Tonal but highly chromatic with many leaps for the vocalist in the A section. The B section is almost folk-like in simplicity.

2. What Death Can Touch 

   Words by Chaim Stern.

   3 minutes, Lower intermediate.

   Highly touching words about losing a loved one.

   Through-composed but with many similar phrases.

A CYCLE OF NINE SONGS IN THREE MINI-VOLUMES BROKEN DOWN BY POETS.

17-20 minutes, Difficulty varies Columbia Music Contact publisher for price.

This song cycle was the topic of a doctoral dissertation by Evelyn Fair (Shenandoah Conservatory of Music, 2006).

Volume One

Volume Two

Volume Three

Words by William Shakespeare.

8 minutes, Difficulty varies. Alymar $12, CD $5.

Each of the songs are written in a low key so that they can be easily raised to whatever key is necessary for the vocalist through the use of a capo for the guitarist.

1. O Mistress Mine

   Light hearted love song. Folk-like, up-tempo.

   Guitar can capo up to allow the singer to sing in a higher key.

   Difficulty: Easy.

2. Come Away, Come Away Death

   Two and a half minutes, Upper beginning for voice, lower intermediate for guitarist.

   Tongue in cheek sad song of a pathetic soul in love.

   Two verses in strophic form. Introduction, ending and an interlude are all the same music for the guitar.

3. I Am Gone Sir

   1 minute, Upper beginning level.

   Humorous song sung by the jester.

   Through-composed but ends with same music as it begins with.

4. When That I Was and a Little Tiny Boy

   Fun, folk-like ending to the play. Guitar part can either play chords or a more interesting written accompaniment.

   Guitar can capo up to allow the singer to sing in a higher key.

   Difficulty: Easy.

2 minutes, Lower intermediate. Alymar $5.

Words by Sara Teasdale

This is a lyrical song of great love.

Written in ABA' form.

Easy to lower intermediate level. Alymar Publications $10, CD $5.

These songs were commissioned by the McDaniel College theatre department.

1. Little Lamb

   Female voice a cappella or with guitar accompaniment.

   Somewhat emotional song sung by a slightly bewildered older woman.

   Difficulty: moderately easy. The guitar part mixes rasqueado strumming and single note accompaniment.

2. Here Come the Reapers

   Men's chorus and guitar.

   This short song reflects the spirit of the workers in the field and their relationships with the women of the village.

   Folk-like in nature with simple strumming accompaniment for the guitar (after a short written out introduction).

De facil a intermedio nivel. Alymar Publications. $10, CD $5.

1. Ovejita

   Voz femenina a cappella o con el acompanamiento de la guitarra.

   Cancion algo emocional cantada por una mujer vieja un poco desconcertada

   Dificultad: moderado facil. La parte de la guitarra mezcla rasqueado y el solo acompanamiento de la nota.

2. Ya Salen Los Segadores

   Coro de hombres y guitarra.

   Esta cancion corta refleja el espiritu de los trabajadores en el campo y sus relaciones con las mujeres de la aldea.

   Folklorico en naturaleza con el acompanamiento simple de rasguear para la guitarra (despues de una corta introduccion escrita).

SATB, piano and hammer dulcimer or SATB, piano and guitar. (Also available in SATB and piano.)

5 minutes, medium difficulty. Alymar Publications, $15.

Moving song using the poem (1916) by Lieutenant Ewart Alan Mackintosh which was written in memory of Private David Sutherland and the other members of his troop, who were killed in battle. Lt. Mackintosh, himself, was killed in battle 6 months later.

The melodic material is modal and folk-like. The song is written in an 'ABABA' form.

SATB and piano or children's chorus (or 2 treble voices) and piano.

7-8 minutes, difficulty-lower intermediate to intermediate. Alymar Publications. $15.

Three songs that speak of the beauty and challenges of life using the poetry of Sara Teasdale. This song cycle was commissioned by the Children's Choir of Carroll County.

1. A Chart of a Small Sea

   The theme of this song (in ternary form) is the importance of being yourself.

2. The House of Dreams

   This song approaches the idea that, while it is important to dream, one must keep a foot grounded in reality. (Through composed but with similar phrases.)

3. A Prayer

   This song emphasizes that it is always important to enjoy life, and to love life with your fullest effort. (Mainly through composed but with repetition where phrases in the lyrics are repeated.)

4 Minutes moderately easy.

For SATB a cappella.

Setting of the traditional song with newly composed music to several verses. This romantic song is written for a full choral sound.

8 minutes. Difficulty varies.

SATB

This is an a cappella version of songs based upon anonymous renaissance poems. This is also available as solo songs for voice and guitar.

These songs were comissioned by Western Maryland College.

1. There is a Lady Sweet and Kind

   Two and a half minutes, Intermediate. This song captures the mood of light romantic innocence with just a hint of melancholy.Written in AA'BA"B' form.

2. The Silver Swan

   Two and a half minutes, Difficult. A new setting of the famous madrigal by Orlando Gibbons. Written in ternary form with a coda. The song is difficult due to a fair amount of chromaticism and leaps. But the piece stays within the realm of tonality.

3. Love Me Not for Comely Grace

   2 minutes, Intermediate. Light hearted love song. Through composed but similar motives in each verse.

4 minutes, Intermediate. Alymar $8*

SATB

Setting of the first section of the mass.

Ternary form.

Texture fluctuates between homorhythmic and polyphonic.

Tonal but with some chromaticism.

15 minutes, Difficulty varies. Voices of Training, LLC See publisher for price.

SATB

A cantata consisting of six short songs for chorus with piano accompaniment (two pieces are a cappella).

Words by Thomas Hardy. Hardy's poems were written about the Boar War and World War I but the sentiments can be applied to any war past or present.

1. My Love's Gone A-Fightin'

   3 minutes, Easy voice, intermediate piano. SA, piano. A folk-like song follows a dramatic piano introduction. This sweet, na�ve song is in an A-B-A format. The words depict a young woman whose lover has gone off to fight in a war.

2. The Battle

   Two and a half minutes, Intermediate. A dramatic song for SATB and piano about the horrors of war. There is a long piano introduction that sets the mood for the martial first theme. The form is intro, ABA'CA''D coda based on the introduction. The intended feeling is one of marching into battle; the horrific battle; and then marching away from the battle.

3. The Man He Killed 

   One and a half minutes, Easy. A solo for baritone or tenor and piano. A simple song about a soldier who has killed his "enemy". The words suggest the realization that his foe was most likely just like him, had enlisted because he had lost his job, and in another situation they might have been friends and shared a drink at a pub.

4. Drummer Hodge

   Two and a half minutes, Intermediate. SATB a cappella with a short solo for soprano. A poem written by Hardy that was inspired by a real event. A local boy went down to South Africa during the Boer War as a drummer boy for the British troops and was killed. The song really speaks of those innocent people who are killed in war.

5. A Wife in London 

   3 minutes, Intermediate to upper intermediate for high voice (sop. or tenor) and piano. This is a heartbreaking song of a young bride who first receives a letter stating that her husband has been killed in battle and then the next day she receives a letter from her husband stating how much he looks forward to coming home to be with her. There is a piano introduction that recalls the feeling of The Battle.

6. Coda

   One and a half minutes, Lower advanced. A short SATB a cappella song that dramatically asks "by whom and when the Law of Peace, brought in by that Man Crucified, was ruled to be inept, and set aside?" This through-composed song is at the lower advanced level due to chromaticism.

4-5 minutes Intermediate Alymar $8*

SATB and piano

Words are from various sources in public domain.

The form is a large ABA with both the A and the B sections being small aba forms themselves. The moods vary quite a bit in this song from the sweet opening theme to the jazzy main B theme. This has been a hit when performed. Several comments have been that the return to the A theme at the end brings chills to the listener. This piece is at the intermediate level. There is some chromaticism in parts, and even though many sections are sung in unison and with support from the piano, it still would be a challenge to school and church choirs with untrained, inexperienced singers. Available from Alymar.

7-8 minutes. Medium difficulty for SATB and Organ Alymar $20*

A work of intense beauty and power. The poem, written by Dame Edith Sitwell during the blitz of London during the Second World War, is a moving tribute to the enduring love of Christ. The form of the composition is through-composed but there are returning thematic ideas, particularly the one that is associated with the title of the poem, which returns many times during the work.

6 minutes Upper intermediate Alymar $10*

SATB and piano.

Words by Stephen Crane.

Dramatic setting of sarcastic cynicism of Crane's poem on the horrors of war. The composition is made up of several contrasting sections each one ending with the same dramatic musical setting of the words "do not weep, war is kind".

Voices of Training, LLC See publisher for price.

SATB, Children's Chorus, Organ and Piano.

Text by Lisa VanAuken, based on a poem by C. P. Cavafy.

Uplifting choral work, perfect as an inspirational work for children's choir with the adult choir. The basic message of Cavafy's original peom is retained (the gift of life is its journey) but the mythological references are removed to make the poem more understandable and more lyrical.

The form is rondo to fit the repeating text. The journey to Ithaca is folk-like in writing style, but has much modulation (that is always well prepared by the instrumental accompanient). The work come to a dramatic, stops out, exciting end. A great way to end a recital.

7 minutes, Intermediate. Voices of Training, LLC. See Publisher for price.

Children's Choir, Adult Choir, organ, piano, trumpet, tympani, tom-toms.

This powerful text by Dylan Thomas is a forceful declaration of the promise of everlasting life. At times romantic, but always vivid in description, the words are presented in such a way that they speak to people of all faiths. There are two main melodic ideas. The most prominent one is repeated each time the title words return. The piece is very moving and concludes powerfully. It is very moving for both the audience as well as the performers.

This work was commissioned by McDaniel College and the Children's Choir of Carroll County.

From Act II, Scene I of Lily

4 1/2 minutes, piano part is an arrangement of the orchestral score.

This aria is sung by Lily after she finds herself forced to work in a hat shop and discovers that she doesn't have the skills to do the work.