“Family” Choir Program: Repertoire Roundup
This semester, my choirs and I wrapped up our year together with a “Family” choir program. As we prepared for this family-themed concert, we examined different familial relationships (the good and not-so-good) and the ways in which artists have portrayed these relationships in choral music.
So often in choral settings, we are so proud of the “family” culture we build. What better way to celebrate our choir families, chosen families, and biological families than through a family choir program? Check out our program and notes below!
- Mothers and Grandmothers Choir Program Selections
- Fathers and Brothers Choir Program Selections
- Choir Teacher Resources
Mothers and Grandmothers Program Selections
Méditations de la Vierge Marie
With three beautiful movements featuring Marian texts by Albert Lozier, Hélène Harbec, and Albert Belzile, Méditations de la Vierge Marie by Marie-Claire Saindon challenged our treble ensemble musically and thematically. Although excellent as a set, any one of these three pieces would stand alone well in a program. Once our singers tackled the French language, this piece was a favorite for many, especially as we examined the maternal figure, Mary.
Lineage
Lineage by Andrea Ramsey is a thoughtful and moving piece that just feels good to sing. Honoring the strength of our grandmothers, the text by Margaret Walker opens up discussions of family, ancestry and strength. Ramsey evokes a bluesy, earthy, “heart-and-gut” feel throughout the composition, which allows treble ensembles to embrace a less traditional choral approach to tone and style. Click on the link below to learn about composer Andrea Ramsey, poet Margaret Walker, the poem Lineage, and potential discussions for ensembles who are working on this piece.
Anybody Have A Map?
I love a Broadway moment in a choral concert. Mark Brymer’s arrangement of Anybody Have A Map? from Dear Evan Hansen was an excellent complement to our “Family” theme. Accessible for developing voices, this piece lives mostly in a 2-part arrangement, with an SSA moment at the conclusion of the piece. Although my singers are much too young to understand the complexities of being a mom to a teenage boy, they very easily connected to the message of the piece and gave perhaps their most emotional performance of the year on our final family choir program.
Fathers and Brothers Program Selections
Family
Singing Statesmen’s first piece in our family choir program was their arrangement of “Family” by Drew Holcomb & the Neighbors. I provided the singers the words and chords to this piece and just a bit of guidance, but the final product was student-driven. Accompanying themselves on guitar, ukulele, cello, and cajon, the Singing Statesmen developed their own arrangement of the piece that was just so much fun to watch them perform.
Fight the Dragons
Greg Gilpin’s arrangement of Fight the Dragons from the Broadway Musical Big Fish examines the relationship between a father who has lived life to the fullest while supporting his family by traveling for work and the son who was left at home without a present father. This sweet piece led to great discussion about the sacrifices parents make to support their families and the ways in which we view those who take care of us.
A Brother’s Prayer
Ryan Kelly’s TTBB arrangement of Charles Gounod’s Avant de quitter ces lieux from Faust was a favorite for many of our Tenor/Bass singers. The text of the piece, sung in French, is an emotional plea for the safety of his sister as he goes to war. This piece served as an excellent challenge, allowing singers to explore operatic resonances and expressions.
Last Kind Words
Last year, my Tenor/Bass singers asked for a piece with body percussion, and Last Kind Words by Paul John Rudoi delivered this and much more! The text by poet Rabindranath Tagore paired with the fanfare-like musical lines celebrate closing a chapter looking forward to the future. A perfect closer for an end-of-the-year concert.
I’d Love to Hear from You!
What do you think of the “Family” concert program selections? Which other pieces might you feature on a similar concert? What would you like to see next on Inspired Choir? Let me know your thoughts in the comment section below!
“Family” Concert Teacher Resources
Free Comprehension Worksheets
Choir Leaders! I have begun to include short comprehension worksheets with each Inspired Choir blog post. Each worksheet includes 5-6 knowledge-based questions about the post and concludes with a musical decisions/applications question. Use as a homework assignment, sub activity, listening challenge, or guide for conversation in class. Fill in the form below and get a link to a folder including the worksheets from all 2023 Spring Repertoire posts.
Lesson Plan Bundles & Teaching Guides
Are you a choir teacher who has programmed any of the “Family” pieces above? Let me share my teaching resources with you! Check out the Inspired Choir Shop for lesson plan bundles and teaching guides. Don’t see what you are looking for? Shoot me an email and I’ll get working on it for you!
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