Choral Choir (SAB) - Level 3 - Digital Download

SKU: A0.1205158

Composed by William Byrd. Arranged by Michael A. Joseph. Early Music,Renaissance,Sacred. Octavo. 5 pages. Michael A. Joseph #803339. Published by Michael A. Joseph (A0.1205158).

This is an arrangement in three-parts, for the smaller church or concert choir, of the stunningly beautiful anthem by William Byrd. Byrd composed for the Chapel Royal under Queen Elizabeth I. This arrangment for soprano, alto and baritone, is intended to make the singing of it easier for the smaller church choir, while retaining all of the incredible newances achieved in the original four-part setting.

Choral Choir (SAB) - Digital Download

SKU: A0.1001604

Composed by Michael Praetorius. Arranged by Michael A. Joseph. Christmas,Holiday,Praise & Worship,Renaissance,Sacred. Octavo. 2 pages. Michael A. Joseph #6645635. Published by Michael A. Joseph (A0.1001604).

This is a shorter, three-part, SAB arrangement of a sprightly motet by Michael Praetorius (1571-1621) from his Musae Sioniae II,  Allein Gott in der Höh sei Ehr (All Glory Be To God on High).. I have substituted the original text  with the text of A Child is Born in Bethlehem. You will find it useful throughout the Advent/Christmas season for worship, including any service of Lesson and Carols.

Choral Choir (SAB) - Level 3 - Digital Download

SKU: A0.915688

Composed by Richard Joseph Barber. 20th Century,Christian,Christmas,Sacred. Octavo. 11 pages. Barber Music Company #3820397. Published by Barber Music Company (A0.915688).

Voicing: SAB. Ranges: Sop., F4 to G5; Alt., A3 to D5; Bass, F2 to D4.                                                                                      Mood: Rejoicing, praise and thanksgiving over the Father's gift of His Son, who came to set us free from sin and death. Difficulty: Not difficult. Not hard to learn. Fun to sing. The piano part will take some practice and will require a comfortable octave reach. History: The Father Sent the Son is the title song of a cantata I composed ten or so years ago for a church choir that could barely muster a men's section. They loved to sing. They rehearsed every Sunday afternoon between services and sang every Sunday morning for worship and often in the evenings. They loved the entire cantata and sang it with enthusiasm. Since that time other choirs have song the cantata, and I have added and subtracted and rewritten through the years. I wanted to get the entire cantata as close to perfection as possible before I published it, but I have decided to publish the portions I am most happy with piecemeal for the time being. When all portions are where I thing they should be, I will publish the entire cantata as one work. Lord willing, of course.  Please let me know if you enjoy the music I write. It is encouraging to hear from people who have enjoyed my work, or even from those who want to offer a criticism or suggestion. Dick Barber, aspiringtunerjb@sbcglobal.net

Choral Choir (SAB) - Level 4 - Digital Download

SKU: A0.915693

Composed by Richard Joseph Barber. 20th Century,Christian,Christmas,Contemporary,Sacred. Octavo. 13 pages. Barber Music Company #3868985. Published by Barber Music Company (A0.915693).

Voicing: SAB w/ piano. Range: Sop., C4 to A5; Alt., C4 to E-flat 5; Baritone., C3 to E-flat 4. Duration: 2:40. Use: Christmas services. Great for choirs low on male voices. Performance: I wrote this piece as the finale to The Father Sent the Son, a cantata I wrote for one of my church choirs. The last theme in this piece is a reprise of the title music. I was thinking of the shepherds running to tell their neighbors what they had seen that wonderful night in Bethlehem. Avoid singing with a heavy tone. There should be buoyancy in the tone and in the diction. The tempo is fast a mm140, but it works if you pianist can handle it. I have done it at mm132 on more than occasion for a piano player's sake. It still worked okay, but if you can manage 140,do it.

By the way, every choir that I have done this piece with has enjoyed it thoroughly. It is fun to sing and to hear.

Please send your comments, and questions. I will be happy to hear from you! Dick Barber: aspiringtunerrjb@sbcglobal.net. 

Choral Choir (SSA) - Level 4 - Digital Download

SKU: A0.915697

Composed by Early American Tune. Arranged by Richard Joseph Barber. Christian,Contemporary,Sacred,Spiritual. Octavo. 7 pages. Barber Music Company #3879693. Published by Barber Music Company (A0.915697).

This piece lasts two minutes and nineteen seconds. John Newton, 1725 - 1807, author of Amazing Grace, also wrote, How Tedious and Tasteless the Hours. The hymn tune is GREEN FIELDS, and depending on the hymnal or other source in which you find it, opinions vary about who originally composed it. Most, I believe, will call it an Early American Melody, but some attribute it to J. S. Bach, and say that it is found in his Peasant Cantata. However, I listened to the entire Peasant Cantata recently to see if that true, and, although I did hear fragments in one aria that sounded reminiscent of GREEN FIELDS, it seems a bit of a stretch to me to say that the hymn tune has its original version in Bach's cantata. If someone can point me to the portion of the cantata where Bach gives us a clearly identifiable early version, I would be very appreciative. Bach is essentially my favorite composer, and I wouldn't mind attributing the origin of this and many other great melodies to him. -Richard Barber