Secular A Cappella Choral Concert Music

As recorded by Sweet Honey in the Rock, this extraordinary a cappella piece speaks of the precious gifts of life and loved ones. Newly updated by a scholarly committee dedicated to Dr. Barnwell's works,

Four rhythmic ostinatos underscore the lilting melody in this work scored for a cappella mixed choir and solo or small group. Speaking to the hope found in each child that's born, this piece reminds each of

A traditional memorial text with spiritual roots has been adapted by the composer in a setting that is simple and honest. With an unadorned melody set in a beautiful musical language with open, transparent

Originally composed as a dance theater piece, this sobering work should maintain a strict tempo. Written for a cappella mixed choir, the dense harmonic texture and drastic dynamic shifts help deliver the

A powerful call to justice, this work reminds us that in order for hope to survive, every day we need to work toward peace. A free-flowing solo is followed by the layering of rhythmic ostinatos, building

Also set as a children's book, this powerful text quite literally sings itself. With a divided bass ostinato and accessible harmonies, this a cappella work is a poignant tool to help young people discover

Written for Voces8, this setting of Clairel Estevez's poem is stunningly beautiful and can be performed either a cappella or with orchestra.

The Gallipoli Peninsula in Turkey is now marked with cemeteries; particularly striking are the graves of Australian and New Zealand infantry which are marked with epitaphs provided by the families

A moving setting of this gripping and emotional text. In this setting, the composer captures the solemnity of the text throughout the thoughtful choral writing, comforting those who are left to grieve.

The text of this composition comes out of a family crisis, and the words of the author, "We found that in a storm of uncertainty, gratitude became our anchor" have an inspiring message. The moving text is

This beautiful a cappella arrangement was commissioned by Cantus for their album A Harvest Home. Written as a companion piece to the setting of Simple Gifts, this arrangement sounds traditionally

This is the central movement of Angel of Light, a cantata based on Shaker themes; however, this particular movement is not sacred at all. Employing a Shaker tune with vocables, this piece takes the

The second movement from a set of four contrasting memorial dances for unaccompanied mixed chorus. The text, from Isaiah 40, is set to a courtly gavotte in a minor modality. Suite Remembrance,

William Blake's text is set for treble choir in this sprightly, unaccompanied number. Surprising harmonic shifts and flowing polyphonic lines paint this text about spring.

A well-known text by George Herbert combined with a sensitive choral setting, this piece includes lovely harmonies in a beautiful selection for advanced ensembles.

In this fragment from Christina Rossetti's poem Mirage, the poet commands her breaking heart to "lie still and break," the grief of a lost love changing her life and the world forever. This

This piece from the set Madrigals for the Seasons conjures up vivid images of autumn: the fading of summer flowers, the colors of the leaves, the browning of the fields. The musical setting is

Close harmonies and a lyrical melody paint the sense of longing one feels after losing a loved one. An exploration of dissonance and resolve, this a cappella piece provides comfort in a time of

The iconic poem by Ella Wheeler Wilcox is set here in a lilting and gentle composition that may be performed by an ensemble or by a full choir. Peaceful, serene, and comforting, this was commissioned by

A nonsense song which allows for simple staging where the singers make the nonsense syllables into a language which only they can understand. They may be argumentative, friendly, confrontational,

The third and final movement from Conte's "A Whitman Triptych," Facing West is drawn from the Children of Adam book from Walt Whitman's Leaves of Grass. The tone of this movement is rich and

A gorgeous setting of a popular remembrance text. This is a beautiful synthesis of Indian and Western choral writing, including a "garland of ragas" woven over the quiet elegance of the text that your