New Music Selections

With text from the traditional Latin Mass, this modern a cappella work captures the feeling of a rushing current throughout. Layers of ostinatos and vocal effects along with some simple body percussion

Breathing new life into a Christmas classic, this arrangement features playful rhythmic alterations between 3/4 and 6/8 meter. The syncopated vocal lines are underpinned by a supportive, bouncy piano

Depicting a journey to the Bethlehem stable where Jesus was born, this lilting original carol features both the lower and upper voices separately before joining together in glorious harmony. The third verse

Simply set, this beautiful and poignant text by Paul Laurence Dunbar tells of the healing effects of music and how our own music making can spread joy. The warm strophic chordal texture and stirring

Exploring the sounds of the Hindustani classical tradition, this original work sets a dohe (couplet) about patience by the Indian mystic poet Kabir. This lyrical piece flows with a soothing quality and

An ambient a cappella opening gives way to an accompanied texture for mixed choir with full divisi in this setting of Sara Teasdale's text. The metaphor of the ocean's tide symbolizes life's ups and downs;

Set in a contemporary a cappella style, Heather Lane's text sparkles with scat-syllable vocables and an interesting vocal line that passes through the upper and lower voices as the parts imitate and respond

Emily Dickinson's familiar poem abounds with symbolism as the hope of a bird is brought to life. The musical setting utilizes a fluttering accompaniment, interesting harmonies, and a flowing melodic line

This thoughtful a cappella setting of the traditional text flows between swells of emotion and warm chromatic inflections in the Latin refrains. A soprano solo is present through much of the setting, and

Effectively combining an ancient Latin text and three traditional Christmas spirituals (Rise Up, Shepherd, and Follow; Mary Had a Baby; What You Gonna Call Your Pretty Little Baby?), this a

Christina Rossetti's poem is perfectly reflected with vivid imagery, beautiful vocal lines, and swirling countermelodies. The choruses set the words "My love is come to me" in a powerful antiphonal texture.

This fresh take on a familiar 15th-century Christmas text artfully utilizes dotted rhythms in 6/8 meter to create a lilting feel, and the memorable melody for the carol text passes through each of the voice

Higgins' setting of this popular folk song opens simply and then moves along with gradually increasing contrapuntal interest. The lovely arpeggiated piano accompaniment flows gently alongside the vocal

Setting inspiring words by James Weldon Johnson, this work is poignant and stirring, encouraging singers and listeners to reflect on the challenges of present times and to move forward with courage and

This setting of fragments of text by Sappho, translated by Arthur Sanders Way and A.S. Kline, uses cross-rhythms, syncopation, and flowing melodic lines to create a sense of restless longing.

This atmospheric setting of words from Shakespeare's As You Like It is sprightly and uplifting, with singers being asked to perform with "a bit of frost and a knowing smile." Musically it includes

A tranquil setting of passages from a 13th-century sacred Latin text and its English translation. The voices are underpinned by a supportive accompaniment that is suitable for organ or piano.