Chris Maunu

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Available for accompanied SA and SATB voices, I wrote this poem after
  watching the INCREDIBLE response from choir directors and singers all over
  the world in 2020 and 2021. This is the 2nd movement in a collection of
  pieces entitled "Phoenix: A Trilogy of Hope." We have all come to
  the collective conclusion that there is nothing more important than physical
  health, but also that the well-being of our souls will is what will guide us
  through to the other side of this virus. Not even a global pandemic can stop
  choir directors from inspiring their students and communities! 
    
     
    
    We remember when the world went still
    
    Choirs across the world were silenced 
    
    Shadows stormed into our being
    
    What once healed, now delivers pain?
    
    Animabus nostris dolent (Our souls hurt)
    
    Human hearts began to turn to song
    
    Health of our bodies will protect us
    
    But the well-being of our souls will see us through
    
    Light began to emerge from the darkness
    
    Through struggle and strife, choirs found a way
    
    Through song, we will carry on
    
    Sana animam meam (Heal my soul)

Choirs Won't Be Silenced

SATB Octavo

Grade

An accessible, driving, and powerful work for TB, SA, and 2-part Mixed
  voices!
    
    The text for "Take This Honey" is by an unknown lyricist. What
  captivated me most was how the author articulated the journey of finding
  strength and becoming "enough" is not measured by an outcome. The
  only failure is in giving up. Setbacks make us wiser. Defeat only exists if
  we allow it to thrive internally. Courage lies within us and calls us all -
  not only for ourselves, but for all humanity. The piece should be performed
  with a sense of resolve. fullness, and fortitude.
    
     
    
    "Then take this honey for the bitterest cup:
    
    There is no failure, save in giving up;
    
    No real fall so long as one still tries.
    
    For seeming setbacks make strong ones wise.
    
    There's no defeat, in truth, save from within;
    
    Unless you're beaten there, you're bound to win!
    
    Strength lies within and courage calls us all!"

Take This Honey

SA Octavo

The text for Wind of Night is by Russian poet Fyodor Tyutchev. This
  incredible poem is deep and full of drama. The words provide a landscape of
  rich imagery. The chorus sets the mood of the piece with wind sounds, while
  the soaring accompaniment enhances the drama. The undulating arpeggiations
  paint a picture of the relentless rising and falling waves of wind. The vocal
  lines are robust and full-throated, while maintaining a sense of clarity so
  this powerful text can be more easily communicated to the listener. Allow
  yourself to be swept up in the chaotic sounds of a shadowy, frantic,
  frenzied, windy night. 
    
    
    
    Why moan, why wail you, wind of night,
    
    With such despair, such frenzied madness?
    
    Why is your voice now full of might,
    
    Now piteous and tinged with sadness?
    
    In tongue known to the heart, of pain    
  
    
    Unknown to it for ever chanting,
    
    At times within it well-nigh frantic
    
    Sounds you awaken and insane.
    
    
    
    Sing not, O wind, your fearful song
    
    Of chaos, for the hungry spirit,
    
    Into night's world of shadows flung,
    
    Exults in it and strains to hear it.
    
    The bounds of mortal flesh 'twould fly
    
    And merge with boundless ocean sweeping.
    
    Take heed! Let slumbering tempests lie:
    
    Beneath them chaos stirs unsleeping.

Wind of Night

This new SSA version of As I Journey On (the best seller SAB piece from Pavane Publishing) is finally here! Using words from the poem Courage by Ella Wheeler Wilcox, this energetic and uplifting original work features ostinatos that propel the piece forward with excitement. An engaging piece that is well supported with a rhythmic piano accompaniment and percussion part, it will be a favorite of your singers with its theme and setting.

As I Journey On

SSA Octavo

An exciting treble piece for advanced elementary through high school and
  beyond! The body percussion and exciting rhythms accentuate the empowering
  Rossetti text. In this text, a woman named Laura tells her children to stick
  together, because there is no one like a friend in the stormy times of life.
  Her words communicate that friends strengthen one another. Though simple,
  Rossetti's words provide a landscape of imagery of which we all need to be
  reminded. When life becomes difficult, when we experience pain, and when we
  falter, may we always remember that we stand connected in one human race. The
  music should be performed with a sense of strength, energy, and
    
    resolve.
    
    
    
    We all need one another;
    
    To cheer us on the tedious way, 
    
    To fetch us if we go astray,
    
    To lift us up when we falter, 
    
    We all need one another in the storm;
    
    To strengthen us so we can stand.
    
    We will stand! We all stand!

We All Stand!

<p>Composer Chris Maunu’s setting of Guillén’s While the Air is Ours explores breath as a unifying musical force. Written for high school, collegiate, and beyond, it pairs dynamic vocal writing with rich artistic depth. Sustained lines and expansive phrasing encourage resonance and strong ensemble cohesion, while sonorous, full harmonies create a warm, immersive choral texture. Clear text painting and dynamic contrast drive the piece forward, building to a powerful climax. A compelling work all the way around.</p>

While the Air is Ours

Christina Rossetti wrote her now famous "Remember" when she was
  just a teenager. This work is a remarkable accomplishment for a poet of that
  age in any era. In summary, Rossetti requests that the addressee of the poem
  remember her after she has died. But what gives the poem a twist is the
  concluding thought that it would be better for her loved one to forget her
  and be happy than to remember her if it makes that person sad. I am willing
  to guess that all of us wish that our loved ones not be sad after we are
  gone. I set this poem with gentle melodies, while keeping a sense of
  hopefulness with an uplifting cascading piano accompaniment. This piece is
  not meant to be sad. My hope is that it provides joy in remembering those we
  have lost.
    
     
    
    Remember me when I am gone away, Gone far away into the silent land; When
  you can no more hold me by the hand, Nor I half turn to go yet turning stay.
  Remember me when no more day by day You tell me of our future that you
  plannd: Only remember me; you understand It will be late to counsel then or
  pray. Yet if you should forget me for a while And afterwards remember, do not
  grieve: For if the darkness and corruption leave A vestige of the thoughts
  that once I had, Better by far you should forget and smile Than that you
  should remember and be sad.

Remember

In the turbulent times of unrest known as 2020, I sought a hopeful text
  that would help us remember that brighter days are around the corner. Stephen
  Foster's words came to mind. Yes, Foster is known for writing minstrel
  melodies, which I find no longer appropriate to perform. That said, the text
  in "Hard Times" is reflective of his later life, focusing on
  writing songs laced with nostalgiaAfeelings of lost youth, home, and family.
  There is no dialect, no mention of slavery or other minstrel themes, and the
  song is described on the cover simply as one of A"FosterA's Melodies.A" I
  decided to take his words and set them to an entirely new melody. While
  maintaining a sense of simplicity in the melodies and harmonic rhythm, the
  chorus features an increase in tempo, syncopation, and dissonance to
  highlight the emotional content of the text. 
    
    
    
    Let us pause in lifeA's pleasures and count its many tears
    
    While we all sup sorrow with the poor:
    
    ThereA's a song that will linger forever in our ears;
    
    Oh! Hard Times, come again no more.
    
    
    
    ATis the song, the sigh of the weary;
    
    Hard Times, Hard Times, come again no more:
    
    Many days you have lingered around my cabin door;
    
    Oh! Hard Times, come again no more.
    
    
    
    ATis a sigh that is wafted across the troubled wave,
    
    ATis a wail that is heard upon the shore,
    
    ATis a dirge that is murmured around the lowly grave, A
    
    Oh! Hard Times, come again no more.

Hard Times Come Again No More

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