SKU: A0.972589

Great chart for an SATB ensemble!

SKU: A0.1490010

Whiter Than the Snow/Eden Reeder Latta  - Henry Southwick Perkins BLESSED BE THE FOUNTAIN
arr. Ken Litton (ASCAP)As an SBC music missionary active in Brazil I quickly discovered the hymns missionaries had taken with them as the work gained impetus from the 1890s when the Bagbys arrived to build on the foundation laid by early pioneers like Solomon Ginsburg. I found myself leading those hymns from the nearly 100 year old Cantor Cristão (Christian Singer) in the strongly attended evening services at the Igreja Batista Rio Doce (Sweet River Baptist Church) in Recife, with people literally leaning in through the windows from outside to sing along. Just a normal p.m. attendance or... curiosity about the missionary leading? No, certainly it was the message of the gospel in these great hymns and in the Brazilians’ creative work as well. I mainly remember holding that small print hymnal in one hand and leading with the other (shaking badly) and singing in Portuguese!
From that kind of congregational participation I vividly remember the hymn Blessed be the Fountain by Eden Reeder Latta (1839 - 1915) and Henry Southwick Perkins (1833 -1914) with it’s energetic dotted eighth and sixteenth rhythm figures and text of confession based on Zechariah 13:1. That text was very important in the lives of disciples in Brazil and in my own heart. Here I have used only the verses of the text and tune, simply smoothing out the rhythm and adjusting the lyric to more modern usage (yet preserving the devotional pronouns Thee, Thy and Thine).
The tune BLESSED BE THE FOUNTAIN is altered in rhythm, tempo and one descending interval from the original.  The arrangement is by me, having built the intro, interlude and key change as well as the ending from the material that constituted the refrain in the origina. As a bridge and additional textual/musical impulse into the key change and final verse I’ve interpolated the refrain from the well-known gospel hymn Whiter than Snow (FISCHER) by James Nicholson and William G. Fischer.
The voices include a wide variety of unison, two-part and four-part passages that are well within the capability of the average church choir. The accompaniment difficulty level is about as minimal as it can be I hope, while still reflecting support for the voices, a measure of variety as well as some real independence.
I certainly think choirs of some ability and their dedicated accompanists will enjoyWhiter Than the Snow as much as I have in developing it.

SKU: A0.1394423

Despondency by Jay Dougherty explores the depths of human emotion, expressing profound feelings of pain, anguish, and desolation. Through the utilization of the overtone series, “Despondency� portrays a haunting soundscape that gradually builds into a solemn tone cluster, evoking a sense of emptiness and sadness. 

The overtone series serves as the foundation upon which the composition unfolds, weaving together a tapestry of natural harmonies that resonate with an ethereal quality. Despite the simplicity of its text, consisting of only four sung words – Nothing. Aching. Empty. Broken. – these words reflect the raw and unfiltered experience of despair and sorrow. 

“Despondency� is movement 3 of Jay Dougherty’s Phoenix Cantata, which is a six-movement vocal and piano work that explores the themes of resilience and the transformative power of change. The music and lyrics are the creative work of Dr. Jay Dougherty, with a piano accompaniment by Justin La. Drawing inspiration from the mythical symbolism of the phoenix, this cantata narrates the journey through life's challenges and tribulations and explores how we can learn to comprehend, embrace, and grow from them. Although the Phoenix is not explicitly mentioned, the underlying message resonates with the tale of the phoenix: after facing adversity or transformation, we emerge stronger and more beautiful. Each of the 6 movements centers on a flower garden, the gardener's affection for the garden, the looming storm that could devastate it, and the gardener's eventual realization that, even after the storm, the garden remains beautiful and precious. 

Movement 3, Despondency, is performed a cappella and makes use of the overtone series and chord clusters to convey the gardener's torment and heartbreak as the garden has lost its innocence after a torrential storm. It is a heartbreaking lament that portrays the gardener's profound sorrow.

About the Composer
Dr. Jay Dougherty is the Performing Arts Department Chair and Director of Choral Activities at Drury University in Springfield, MO.

For more information on compositions and arrangements by Jay Dougherty, visit: www.jmdougherty.com

Please purchase one copy for each performer.

SKU: A0.983789

This is an A Cappella arrangement of the song 4 minutes. Don't forget to add Vocal Percussion (to your liking). Enjoy!

SKU: A0.898891

Yesterday and To-morrow is both reflective and nostalgic in its meaning. The music’s text is by poet Paul Laurence Dunbar (1872 - 1905). The poem, Yesterday and To-morrow, first appeared in Dunbar’s collection of poems, Lyrics of Sunshine and Shadows, in 1905. The music reflects the back and forth of fondly remembering and current harsh reality. The music also explores a variety of musical textures, from unison lines to aleatoric passages. This piece is well suited for intermediate singers looking for an achievable challenge.

SKU: A0.1031824

4 Minutes, a collaboration between pop-legend Madonna and Justin Timberlake, was released in 2008 as the lead single on Madonna's album Hard Candy. This arrangement for a cappella ensemble captures the epic groove and feel of the original recording, making it a showstopper for any scenario!

SKU: A0.1087566

Performed by Madonna featuring Justin Timberlake. This song is about having fun in the time we have and saving the environment. The song refers to being out of time, having fun, not procrastinating, what you want and need you already have, making the most of the life and time we have. This arrangement is designed for high school or college show choir, concert choir or community choir. Concert Band Score accompaniment also available. Performance time is approximately 2:35.