Bookends for Your Holiday Concert

Secondary Choirs

by Mark Jauss, Advertising Associate and Choral Director

Finding the right piece to open and close a concert is often one of the most time-consuming concert programming tasks. We understand this struggle and provide music that will highlight your choir during these important moments. The “bookends” below will grab your audience's attention and have them begging for an encore!


Rejoice and Be Merry!
Larry Shackley

Full of tonal color and stylistic variety, this sparkling medley of British carols includes Sussex Carol; Rejoice and Be Merry; God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen; and What Child is This, all with simple vocal lines. Open your December program with the glorious sounds of Christmas!

SATB





Mozart's Celebration Canon
Tom Fettke

Full of teachable moments, this mini-Mozart masterpiece features a fresh text that is fun and easy to memorize. Opening with the harmonized tune, the music gives way to each part singing the melody in canon over the supportive Spread the tidings far and wide, love will come at Christmastide...let’s Celebrate!
piano accompaniment.

SATB and SAB




Joy to the World!
Bryan Sharpe

Bryan Sharpe’s brilliantly conceived setting of the Christmas standard mirrors the spirit of the beloved carol from beginning to end. With a creative sampling of choral scoring techniques and a finale that will leave the listener wanting more, this selection is the perfect attention-grabber for your next holiday concert!

SATB a cappella






Gloria! Sing Gloria!
Lloyd Larson

Lloyd Larson’s thrilling setting of Angels We Have Heard on High will have everyone singing Gloria! The combination of singable vocal lines, a persistently rhythmic piano accompaniment, and an energy-packed ending make this piece a spirited choice for the holiday season.

SATB





Twelve Carols of Christmas
Mark Weston

Mark Weston seamlessly weaves together twelve well-known songs of the season in this perfect program finale. Easily learned vocal parts balance the musical variety, and the colorful synth-track accompaniment adds to the festive spirit.

SATB and Three-part Mixed

________________________________________________

Mark is a graduate of Wright State University in Dayton, OH, having received a bachelor’s degree in music education and a master’s degree in choral conducting.

Before coming to Lorenz in 2012, Mark was the director of choirs at both Howard W. Blake High School for the Performing Arts in Tampa, FL, and Monroe Jr./Sr. High School in Monroe, OH.  Mark is also currently the director of the KCC Concert Choir, an advanced treble choir within the Kettering Children’s Choir organization. The group has toured extensively, and recently sang in the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. and with the South Cape Children’s Choir and various performing ensembles on a tour throughout South Africa. In the Spring of 2015, Mark also had the privilege of preparing the choir for performances of the Britten War Requiem under the baton of Keith Lockhart, conductor of the Boston Pops. In addition, Mark has been the music director at his church since the age of 18, and regularly travels the country giving workshops on conducting and worship leading.  

Mark is the blessed husband of Jennifer and proud father of Michael and Ellie.