An approach to choral singing through fun and effective warm-ups & pieces, which help everyone to sing & sound good
Starting from the premise that everyone would like to be able to sing together with others, and do it well, Bette Gray-Fow explains her approach to singing with groups of all ages and experience. She does not avoid the thorny problem of 'technique' and has uncovered and explained some of its mysteries, sufficient to enable singers to improve what they are doing, and thereby, gain greater enjoyment and sense of accomplishment. Her work is a layered approach from firm foundations, maintaining that it is not always necessary or desirable to use printed music in the early stages. Nevertheless, this book does contain 4 choral pieces (which may be photocopied) and various warm-up and preparatory exercises and the reasons why they are recommended. Most of all, they are fun with bags of 'street cred'.
44 pages + cover ISBN 0 85957 050 9
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Douglas Coombes [after G.F.Handel based on Hallelujah Chorus]
SSA with keyboard accompaniment, of moderate difficulty, but of maximum excitement, this re-working of Handel¹s best-known chorus by Douglas Coombes will have your audiences rocking in the aisles! There is a strong rock-gospel feel about this piece which choirs will love performing. The accompaniment works well on piano, but lends itself to electronic keyboard treatment too. A favourite at home and overseas.
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Words David Self, music Douglas Coombes
This choral song is ideal material for all occasions both secular and religious. Extremely tuneful and majestic in character, it is very grateful to perform and leaves no dry eye in the house! Although arranged for SSA it can still be very effective if sung in unison.
Piano part straightforward. SSA & Keyboard.
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by Douglas Coombes
This is a continuous piece in which the story of the Annunciation right through to the flight from Egypt is told in 9 choral movements, linked with music and narration. The narration is based on chapters 1 & 2 from Matthew & Luke (New Testament) and the texts for the choral movements are traditional, 15th century and also by the composer himself.
Written in 2000, to a commission from The St.Swithun's Singers, Sandy, Bedfordshire, England, their director, Elizabeth Gammell, after the premiere in December 2000, writes:-
"The St.Swithuns Singers took instinctively to 'The Infancy of Christ'. From the first sing-through they liked the work and wanted to do it justice. It was a considerable challenge, but extremely satisfying. The changes of mood required between the movements were greatly helped by the linking narration and the intense and powerful drama of the story came shining through the music.in the performance, the audience were totally gripped by the work; the stillness, after 'The Slaughter of the Innocents', was palpable. By the time we reached the last movement, 'Out of Your Sleep Arise', the choir were both thrilled that they had risen to the demands of the work and very sorry that it was almost over. I would commend this work as a lovely addition to traditional Christmas music - the infectious tune to "While Shepherds Watched" had the audience tapping their feet and dancing in their seats. We are greatly looking forward to performing it again." Duration 30 minutes.
For women's / upper voice choirs (SSA), Narrator & keyboard (organ / piano)
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trad. Warwickshire folksong
arr. Douglas Coombes
SSA a capella. For ladies' choirs who love a challenge. A witty arrangement to really display a choir¹s bravura - first performed at Llangollen Eisteddfod 1986.
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3 Folk songs arr. Robert Latham
SSA a cappella
Wraggle taggle Gipsies
She’s like the swallow
Dashing away with the smoothing iron
This collection of three songs makes the ideal concert group for upper voices, both at youth and adult level. Robert Latham has preserved the intrinsic nature of the songs and at the same time, brings a freshness to each one. These excellent arrangements present their own challenges, but the challenge is worth taking on. Choirs will enjoy working at these well-crafted pieces and audiences will thrill to the contrasts within them. The melody line is well distributed among all parts, allowing each to shine.
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[Mass for the People & Town of Kortrijk, Belgium] s2.gif
music Douglas Coombes
Sop.solo, SSA & Organ/Piano. A welcome addition to the longer works for ladies' choirs, this work shows Douglas Coombes' deep understanding of choral writing. All ladies' choirs will enjoy the challenge and reward of a substantial work of this nature. Duration approx. 40 minutes. [Latin].
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SSA with optional piano / keyboard accompaniment arr. Douglas Coombes An exciting, lively arrangement of this well-known Tudor song, in which the singers get the chance to sound like crumhorns from time to time. It is great fun to sing as well as offering some challenges with regard to crispness and precision. A real winner in any concert programme.
Suitable KS3 and upwards / women¹s voices.
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Words Edward Caswell, music Douglas Coombes
SA & Descant with piano accompaniment. This new setting of familiar Words, first performed at Central Hall, Westminster, December 1992, was enthusiastically received. Suitable upper juniors through to adult choirs.
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Sing Around the World
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Sing Around The World
Edition
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Price: Piano Edition £12.95, Melody Edition £4.95
53 folksongs from around the world for UPPER voices. Unison with optional 2nd part & piano accompaniment arranged by Douglas Coombes
This bumper collection of folksongs from Australia, Austria, Brazil, Chile, Czechoslovakia, England, Germany, Greece, Guyana, Hungary, Ireland, Isle of Man, Israel, Italy, Mexico, Philippines, Poland, Russia, Samoa, Scotland, United States, Wales, West Indies is just the thing for class singing or for choir work. Each song has a proper introduction and coda, so it is also a ready-made concert item resource. Each song is effective performed in unison only, but the optional 2nd part adds an extra dimension when forces permit. The subject matter has a universal appeal for girls/boys or even adult choirs (SA).
KS2/3 & adult [Scottish Levels C/D/E & adult]
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Melody: Ann Gammell arranged: Douglas Coombes
Words: Sean Street
For SSA Choir & Keyboard(piano/organ).
Duration 4’ 00”
This new, reflective Christmas carol will have immediate appeal in its simplicity and directness. The vocal range lies comfortably for all voices and most upper voice choirs will find the carol readily singable with a minimum of rehearsal time needed.
It could also be sung in unison by choirs whose singers lack experience in part-singing – such as junior school choirs.
A charming addition to Christmas repertoire.The keyboard part of moderate difficulty.
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Traditional melodies with English Words & musical arrangements by Douglas Coombes
A suite of 8 carols from Latin America for SA Choir with occasional solo/small group and piano/keyboard accompaniment
This suite is written as one continuous whole, although it is also possible to perform individual pieces from it, if so desired. This is a very singable work and will not be too demanding of rehearsal time. Offers something different for Christmas programmes and is ideal material from young singers through to adults.
Duration approximately 15’ 30”
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Traditional Afro-Caribbean, arranged: Douglas Coombes
This is Key Stage 3+ material and adult female choir repertoire, being arranged for SSA and piano. A highly effective treatment for upper voices with a real gospel feel. Some rhythmic challenges and shifts of key all add to the interest and excitement of this arrangement.
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English Sea Shanty, arr. by Douglas Coombes
SSA a cappella, this is a challenging arrangement of the well-known English sea-shanty. This is a piece for making your audience say 'wow'. It contains a number of interesting choral effects as well as the odd 'hiccup' and 'finger pop in the mouth'. Great fun with lots of reward for mastering the tricky moments. Some subdivision within each part. A must if your choir wants to strut its stuff.
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