Luke.23

Impressive and fun to sing, this arrangement of the traditional Venezuelan folk song is a universal anthem for singers around the world. Thick divisi harmonies and rhythmic nonsense syllables help create

Randall Johnson is a master at combining traditional and jazz styles. The Latin Benedictus text harkens to an ancient time, and, after a solemn start, the music suddenly breaks into a fast and festive roll,

"catch me in my youth e'er passing, leave not a single breath in want of mem'ries..." As the poem encourages us to live every moment fully, the musical setting reinforces this idea in both a pensive and

Presenting a message of inclusivity and acceptance, this delicate piece was given new life by a performance from music activist and conductor Alexander Lloyd Blake's award-winning ensemble, Tonality.

If there was ever a piece that describes a text in song, this is it. Sara Teasdale's descriptive words about the clouds become sound in this exquisite composition.  Accompanied by piano and celesta, a

"Come with me, under my coat, and we will drink our fill..." This love poem by James Stephens is set to a beautiful melody by David Dickau, placed above his signature harmonies and tasteful dissonances, and

John Magee's text is so inspiring it has been set to music many times, but this setting displays artistry, sounds, and excitement that make it stand out. The piano part is exquisite, almost completely

Selected for the Jonathan Talberg Series, this is a vivacious arrangement of the Spiritual, "Hold On."  John Tebay's setting is a tremendous concert closer.  Full of energy and originality, this

A new refreshing setting of such a well-loved hymn, this Amazing Grace was originally written for The King's Singers and a women's choir. It is mesmerizing and also challenging. The setting lends

Iddemdem Malida is an Itneg (Philippines) victory chant. This creative arrangement begins with some improvised solos over a pedal tone, along with wind and bird sounds. Then the real chant begins with a

Hear the sounds of a playful kitten chasing a mouse in this unique and engaging original concert work from Taiwan. Playful ostinatos in the lower voices support a delicate melody in the upper voices

E.E. Cummings' thoughtful and provoking text is beautifully set in this original piece for a cappella mixed voices and violin obbligato. The opening is charmingly hypnotic, preparing the listener's ear to

This colorful and dramatic piece shares the plight of the dragonfly using onomatopoetic sounds to accompany the story.

Emily Dickinson's text captures the 19th-century train on the tracks in America, rolling and hooting along the way. The compositional writing is as interesting as the text, catching our imaginations and

With a romantic poem by Pablo Neruda, Brad Ellingboe has given us a musical interpretation that is evocative and pensive. Mr. Ellingboe provides his own translation, which is eloquent and accurate, to say

A text celebrating our planet is set to elegant music in a narrative style, culminating in a beautiful ode to the earth and a call to protect nature's sacred spaces. Ethereal harmonies, a lyrical solo, and

Composer and conductor, Ron Kean, went back to the roots of Spirituals, back to Africa, to create a setting of this much loved Spiritual in a style that is remarkably different.  Part of the larger

The traditional Te Deum takes on a fresh perspective in this three-movement work; the full title means "praise to God for music." The first movement pays homage to our Baroque ancestry in its Handelian

William Blake's famous poem The Tyger has been the inspiration for many pieces of choral music. This interpretation was the winner of the 2013 NDSU Edwin Fissinger Choral Composition Contest.