Founded in 1915 by the musicologist William Gillies Whittaker, the Newcastle-upon-Tyne Bach Choir is one of the oldest Bach choirs in the United Kingdom. This book celebrates the centenary of the choir with a multi-author account of the choir's contributions to musical life and the many personalities who made that possible. It contains almost 200 illustrations, many of them not previously seen.

Marvelous Rise of Superheroes in Cinema: Evolution of the Genre from Sequels to Universes addresses the superhero movie genre's transformation between 1978 and 2019. To emphasize and illustrate the conceptual and thematic transformation, the main conventions of the genre are scanned through several periods, focusing on the developmental age of the genre, including the dominant period of DC Comics-based superhero movies (1978-1997) and the Marvel "boom" (2000-2007), and the contemporary age. For this purpose, the book traces the fundamentals of superheroes from the first appearance of Superman in Action Comics #1 (1938) to the final installment of the MCU's Phase 3, Spider-Man: Far From Home (2019). The transformation has two significant points. First, the genre's main conventions have been in a change. Second, the genre's focus has changed from sequel filmmaking to the universe concept. The study investigates the Marvel Cinematic Universe's dominant, leading, and major role in the genre's evolutionary process. Besides, the future of the superhero movie genre is questioned through the multiverse concept to broaden an understanding of the genre's following directions.

A History of Western Choral Music explores the various genres, key composers, and influential works essential to the development of the western choral tradition. Author Chester L. Alwes divides this exploration into two volumes which move from Medieval music and the Renaissance era up to the 21st century. Volume II begins at the transition from the Classical era to the Romantic, with an examination of the major genres common to both periods. Exploring the oratorio, part song, and dramatic music, it also offers a thorough discussion of the choral symphony from Beethoven to Mahler, through to the present day. It then delves into the choral music of the twentieth century through discussions of the major compositional approaches and philosophies that proliferated over the course of the century, from impressionism to serialism, neo-classicism to modernism, minimalism, and the avant-garde. It also considers the emerging tendency towards nationalistic composition amongst composers such as Bartok and Stravinsky, and discusses in great detail the contemporary music of the United States, and Great Britain. Framing discussion within the political, religious, cultural, philosophical, aesthetic, and technological contexts of each era, A History of Western Choral Music offers readers specialized insight into major composers and works while providing a cohesive understanding of choral music's place in Western history.

An eye-opening reexamination of Handel's beloved religious oratorio Every Easter, audiences across the globe thrill to performances of Handel's "Hallelujah Chorus," but they would probably be appalled to learn the full extent of the oratorio's anti-Judaic message. In this pioneering study, respected musicologist Michael Marissen examines Handel's masterwork and uncovers a disturbing message of anti-Judaism buried within its joyous celebration of the divinity of the Christ. Discovering previously unidentified historical source materials enabled the author to investigate the circumstances that led to the creation of the Messiah and expose the hateful sentiments masked by magnificent musical artistry-including the famed "Hallelujah Chorus," which rejoices in the "dashing to pieces" of God's enemies, among them the "people of Israel." Marissen's fascinating, provocative work offers musical scholars and general readers alike an unsettling new appreciation of one of the world's best-loved and most widely performed works of religious music.

From the Jim Crow world of 1920s Greenville, South Carolina, to Greenwich Village's Café Society in the '40s, to their 1974 Grammy-winning collaboration on "Loves Me Like a Rock," the Dixie Hummingbirds have been one of gospel's most durable and inspiring groups. Now, Jerry Zolten tells the Hummingbirds' fascinating story and with it the story of a changing music industry and a changing nation. When James Davis and his high-school friends starting singing together in a rural South Carolina church they could not have foreseen the road that was about to unfold before them. They began a ten-year jaunt of "wildcatting," traveling from town to town, working local radio stations, schools, and churches, struggling to make a name for themselves. By 1939 the a cappella singers were recording their four-part harmony spirituals on the prestigious Decca label. By 1942 they had moved north to Philadelphia and then New York where, backed by Lester Young's band, they regularly brought the house down at the city's first integrated nightclub, Café Society. From there the group rode a wave of popularity that would propel them to nation-wide tours, major record contracts, collaborations with Stevie Wonder and Paul Simon, and a career still vibrant today as they approach their seventy-fifth anniversary. Drawing generously on interviews with Hank Ballard, Otis Williams, and other artists who worked with the Hummingbirds, as well as with members James Davis, Ira Tucker, Howard Carroll, and many others, The Dixie Hummingbirds brings vividly to life the growth of a gospel group and of gospel music itself.

Choral Scores is an anthology of music exemplifying distinctive choral repertoire by the most noteworthy composers throughout the history of Western music. A companion volume to Denis Shrock's Choral Repertoire (Oxford 2009), it presents works of salient importance to the development of choral music in Western culture, representing the music of the composers, eras, and movements discussed most prominently in that volume. Including 132 compositions by 124 different composers, each presented unabridged and in full score, and spanning the entirety of Western music history, from the medieval era through the twentieth century, and into the twenty-first, Choral Scores is the most thorough, and up-to-date collection of choral music available. Complete with an appendix offering literal translations of texts, as well as composer and genre indices, Choral Scores is an essential reference for choral scholars, teachers, and students alike.

(Amadeus). The subjects of this third volume range from survivors of the so-called Golden Age of the 1890s, such as the formidable Lotte Lehman, to those whom the 20th century has bequeathed to the 21st, such as Cecilia Bartoli and Ian Bostridge. This is a personal selection that includes many of the great names, including Melchior, heldentenor of the century, and Gigli, the most popular Italian singer of his generation. The entire series (for this is the final volume) ends with a chapter on Caruso, still widely regarded as the greatest of all.Steane's critical essays seek out the special qualities of each singer and relate them to wider concerns in music and in life. His eloquent descriptions of the nuances of the vocal art are wonderful examples of the best kind of music appreciation. HARDCOVER.

This survey of choral literature, written by American composers from 1760 through the 1990s, examines nearly 3,000 pieces of choral music written by over 300 composers. Along with a descriptive analysis, the literature is placed within a historical perspective. Familiar and less well-known composers and their music are examined. The study seeks to remedy the superficial treatment choral music is often given in standard textbooks on American music and to acknowledge and expose the varied richness of the literature.

Choral conductors and musicologists will appreciate the vast repertory of choral music literature examined. Organized chronologically, this study uniquely traces the development of choral music literature throughout the centuries. A select bibliography provides a useful guide for further research.

Choral Voices: Ethnographic Imaginations of Sound and Sacrality is about sacred and secular choirs in Goa and Shillong across churches, seminaries, schools, auditoriums, classrooms, reality TV shows, and festivals. Voice and genre emerge as social objects annotated by tradition, nostalgia, and innovation. Piety literally and metaphorically shapes the Christian lifeworld, predominantly those belonging to the Presbyterian and Catholic denominations. Indigeneity structures the political and cultural motifs in the making of the Christian musical traditions. Located at the intersection of Sociology, Anthropology, and Ethnomusicology, the choral voices emplace 'affect' and the visual-aural dispatch. Thus, sonic spectrum holds space for indigenous and global musicality. This ethnographic work will be useful for scholars researching music and sound studies, religious studies, cultural anthropology, and sociology of India.

All children must have an opportunity to share the joy of choral music participation - whether in school, church, or community choirs. What happens before the singing begins, is critical to supporting, sustaining, and nurturing choirs to give every child the opportunity to experience the wonder of choral singing. Based on years of experience conducting and teaching, Barbara Tagg brings a wealth of practical information about ways of organizing choirs. From classroom choirs, to mission statements, boards of directors, commissioning, auditioning, and repertoire, Before the Singing will inspire new ways of thinking about how choirs organize their daily tasks. The collaborative community that surrounds a choir includes conductors, music educators, church choir directors, board members, volunteers, staff, administrators, and university students in music education and nonprofit arts management degree programs. For all these, Tagg offers a wealth of knowledge about creating a positive environment to support artistry, creativity, dedication, and a commitment to striving for excellence.

A collection of essays by 20th-century American, English, and European composers in which each composer discusses a large choral work or works he has written, along with the principles that guided the composition.

for SATB and piano Mack Wilberg's calming and pensive Meditation is an adaptation of Charles Gounod's famous Ave Maria which is itself based on J.S. Bach's Prelude in C Major from the first book of The Well-Tempered Clavier. The accompaniment is derived from the piano solo transcription of Gounod's work by Georges Bizet. To the piano's rising arpeggios and Gounod's melody, Wilberg has added a gently weaving choral texture, setting the words 'Alleluia, Amen'.

for SSA, piano, and cello This setting of Langston Hughes's poem In time of silver rain uses uplifting melodies and a supportive piano accompaniment featuring oscillating semiquavers and broken chords. The solo cello carries a lyrical melody that bridges the vocal passages. At the end of the piece, singers are instructed to click their fingers to imitate the sound of rainfall.

for SA and piano Commissioned by the English Montreal School Board Chorale for its 40th anniversary, Be like the bird sets an English translation of a text by Victor Hugo. Quartel uses lyrical melodies and rising sequences that reflect the uplifting message of the words, supported by a glittering piano accompaniment. A passage from the original French text is set to the same melody, before interweaving with the English text as a countermelody.

for SATB and piano In this poignant ballad Toby Young has set an adaptation of Emily Dickinson's poem My Letter to the World to heartfelt melodies with a pop-style piano accompaniment. The song reflects on the pain of being separated from loved ones during the COVID-19 pandemic and the power that music has to unite us. A version for SSA and piano (ISBN 978-0-19-356721-4) is also available.

for SSAATTBB and piano Rebecca Dale's reimagining of Cesar Franck's Panis Angelicus was commissioned for the second instalment of Sonoro's Choral Inspirations project. Dale has drawn upon the harmonic framework of the original setting, as well as playing with fragments of the well-known melodies. She cleverly sets this within a modern sound-world, supported by a rippling, arpeggiated piano accompaniment, original melodic material, and subtle layering of the divisi vocal lines.

for SATB, unison voices, and organ This celebratory anthem sets Psalm 100 'O be joyful in the Lord' from the Book of Common Prayer and uses organ flourishes, dancing vocal melodies, and lively articulation to emphasize the exultant message of the text. Jubilate Deo was commissioned by Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church, Dallas, Texas and was premiered at Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee concert in 2022.

for SSATB unaccompanied On the Air (Dear Vaccine) discusses the optimism for a post-COVID world and, particularly, the desire to sing together again. For the text, poet Sean Street drew inspiration from 'Dear Vaccine', which is a global community poetry project in which people are invited to share their thoughts and hopes for the development of COVID-19 vaccines. McDowall has emulated the hopefulness of the text through the energy of the music and the use of both speaking and singing voices.

This book (published in German by Bärenreiter in 1988 and now available in English translation for the first time) is a comprehensive guide to the genesis, transmission, structure, meaning, and performance considerations of Bach's St John Passion. One of Bach's most fascinating works, its text demonstrates a profound understanding of St John's Gospel. The musical design of the choruses with their numerous interrelationships is quite unique and demands some explanation. The fact that the Passion exists in four different versions leads Dürr to ask which changes were intentional and which were the result of practical constraints or of orders issued by church authorities.