During this time of Covid, musicians have still been trying to perform and share their art. I admire people who continue to find ways to sing, play instruments, or compose. It hasn't been easy during this time of such restrictions.
The big surprise for me has been seeing how many singers have been interested in my classical vocal solos and more particularly, the sacred duets and trios. Apparently, although choirs have not been able to perform, small groups like duets and trios have been okay. It brings me joy to think that some of my original songs and hymn arrangements are being performed.
Three pieces have done very well: "Come Sing to the Lord," "I Know that My Redeemer Lives," and "America, the Beautiful."
"America, the Beautiful" was written for me and my sisters to sing one summer when they came to stay with me. We had been asked to sing in Church around the 4th of July, so we needed a sacred Patriotic song. Each are beautiful singers and love having their own featured part in their own optimum range. That's why this arrangement was written as it was --- to give each voice a time to shine! (You can thank my sisters for that!)
"I Know that My Redeemer Lives" started life as a hymn arrangement for solo high voice. (I needed enough solo songs to make a song collection folio for the publisher.) One of my friends from the Choral Society Choir I was singing with at the time commented one day that she was looking for a duet for two sopranos. She said that she only knew of one duet for two equal high sopranos and told me there needed to be more. "You should do something about that." So I did. Then my daughter told me that I should also make a version for a more normal combo --- medium high Soprano and Alto. (Could also work for Tenor and Bass). So, I did that, too.
"Come Sing to the Lord" came about simply because I wanted to sing a piece with my friend that let us show off our "classical chops" a bit. This song has some "unresolved ninths." In other words, the singers are required to sing "seconds" occasionally that have a "rub" of clashing beats. Finally, at the end, all the dissonances are resolved. The text is taken from Psalm 98 and Alma 5:19. This is a wonderful song of praise and such a delight to sing.
The big surprise for me has been seeing how many singers have been interested in my classical vocal solos and more particularly, the sacred duets and trios. Apparently, although choirs have not been able to perform, small groups like duets and trios have been okay. It brings me joy to think that some of my original songs and hymn arrangements are being performed.
Three pieces have done very well: "Come Sing to the Lord," "I Know that My Redeemer Lives," and "America, the Beautiful."
"America, the Beautiful" was written for me and my sisters to sing one summer when they came to stay with me. We had been asked to sing in Church around the 4th of July, so we needed a sacred Patriotic song. Each are beautiful singers and love having their own featured part in their own optimum range. That's why this arrangement was written as it was --- to give each voice a time to shine! (You can thank my sisters for that!)
"I Know that My Redeemer Lives" started life as a hymn arrangement for solo high voice. (I needed enough solo songs to make a song collection folio for the publisher.) One of my friends from the Choral Society Choir I was singing with at the time commented one day that she was looking for a duet for two sopranos. She said that she only knew of one duet for two equal high sopranos and told me there needed to be more. "You should do something about that." So I did. Then my daughter told me that I should also make a version for a more normal combo --- medium high Soprano and Alto. (Could also work for Tenor and Bass). So, I did that, too.
"Come Sing to the Lord" came about simply because I wanted to sing a piece with my friend that let us show off our "classical chops" a bit. This song has some "unresolved ninths." In other words, the singers are required to sing "seconds" occasionally that have a "rub" of clashing beats. Finally, at the end, all the dissonances are resolved. The text is taken from Psalm 98 and Alma 5:19. This is a wonderful song of praise and such a delight to sing.
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