Choral Compositions
Below you may hear and view samples of each of these choral works. The sheet music for published pieces from both Roger Dean and Boosey and Hawkes are available through your music retailer. The recordings of these pieces are available here. Pdf files of the sheet music of other pieces here are available here for $2 per copy. When purchasing (minimum order of ten copies) you will be able to download the pdf file and also receive a license for legally photocopying the number of purchased copies. Where available, Mp3s of the pieces are available for download @ $.99
SATB and piano
(From Three Festival Songs pub. Boosey & Hawkes, 2008)
Conceived and written for the Lakeside Singers to fill a need for a strong secular opener in a holiday concert, the piece begins with powerful unison lines in octaves over a rhythmic piano accompaniment. As the text looks at the reasons for singing at this time of year, new themes emerge using more complex rhythmic and harmonic language. The piece climaxes with cascading voices, ending in a powerful six voice final chord. Moderate difficulty Perf. Time 2:26. Recording by the Lakeside Singers.
As You Set Out
SATB and piano
(From Three Festival Songs pub. Boosey & Hawkes, 2008)
Perfect for graduation celebrations or general use, the text is set in a romantic style, with keyboard accompaniment throughout. Long flowing melodic lines over gentle accompaniment begin the piece. The climax occurs in a cascade of descending a cappella voices before the piano returns with the melody in a reflective ending. Easy to moderate Perf. Time 3:42. Recording by the Lakeside Singers.
Legacy of Song
SATB and piano
(From Three Festival Songs pub. Boosey & Hawkes, 2008)
Although conceived to honor a retiring choral director, this piece fits into any concert repertoire and celebrates what it means to “touch a life with song”. A powerful piano opening accompanies strong unison lines to begin the piece. After the initial statement, each section explores the various elements of music making and provides lots of dynamic interest. A final choral unison plays against a strong statement of the theme in the piano to bring it to a grand finale. Moderate difficulty. Perf. Time 2:47. Recording by the Lakeside Singers.
Three Winter Songs
SSAATTBB
a cappella Set of three, $5 per copy. These songs with winter as the theme form a set, but can be programmed individually.
(Score Only)
(From Three Winter Songs)
To be published by Roger Dean 2012. Lilting 6/8 feel under a text describing how seasons affect the landscape creating farm roads that lead to the winter hilltop view that can “only be reached by walking”. Moderate. Perf. Time: 2:22
Snow's Blessing
(Score Only)
(From Three Winter Songs)
White snow covers all and requires that we use memory’s imprint to find the path we know. Gentle setting of a lovely poem. Moderate to difficult. Perf. Time: 2:48
with Sop solo (Score Only)
(From Three Winter Songs)
The child spins in circles in the snow, tongue out, to capture kisses from the icy lace. The adult follows to recapture his or her own icy treasure. Lively and evocative. Moderate to difficult. To be published by Roger Dean 2012 Perf. Time:2:13
TTTBBB a cappella
This setting of Chaucer’s famous tale of Chanticleer and the fox who tricks him is both challenging and very entertaining. It is a major work requiring excellent singers. Priced differently. Please contact me directly. Difficult Perf. Time 19:26
SSA with piano accompaniment
Roger Dean Pub. 2011
15/2843R
The Cinderella story is found all over the world. This commissioned setting celebrates “that beautiful part of us, overlooked, mistreated and enslaved,” that finally “shines in palaces where beautiful goodness is welcome”. Lilting and dance-like throughout, this is fun to sing and very accessible. Moderate. Perf. Time: 3:30. Recording by the Red Rose Children’s Choir of Lake County.
SSA with piano accompaniment
A companion piece to Cinderella, designed to precede it if performed as a group, the text notes the competing different parts in each of us that want to subvert our self confidence or allow us to see the beauty that shines through. Perfect for High School women. Moderate. Perf. Time: 3:00
SATB with piano accompaniment
For the holiday concert. Rubato opening goes into a Gospel-style piano accompaniment and a clear message that Peace on Earth comes when each of us reaches out to others. Toe tapping guaranteed. Soli optional 4:48
SSA with piano accompaniment
For the holiday concert. Rubato opening goes into a Gospel-style piano accompaniment and a clear message that Peace on Earth comes when each of us reaches out to others. Toe tapping guaranteed. Soli optional 4:48
SAB with piano accompaniment
For the holiday concert. Rubato opening goes into a Gospel-style piano accompaniment and a clear message that Peace on Earth comes when each of us reaches out to others. Toe tapping guaranteed. Soli optional 4:48
Fragments of Communion hymns from three liturgies combine to make the accompaniment for this touching paraphrase of the Last Supper. Easy. For SATB, optional alto solo and piano or organ accompaniment
Perf Time ca. 2:00
SATB a cappella with Opt. Soprano or Tenor soloist
Published by Roger Dean 15/2845R. Text by Maureen Tolman Flannery. Evocative of traditional Irish folk songs, each section gets a chance to sing the melody. Complete with the mandatory high note at the end 3:45
SSAATTBB two soloists and piano
An a cappella verse begins the piece with the melody in women’s voices while men sing a lilting accompaniment figure. The piano enters as men sing the second verse in unison with women singing the accompaniment figure. As the piece evolves, the soloists sing the melody in canon as the choir hums. The piano drops out as the last verse builds to a climax and the conclusion settles down with men singing the accompaniment figure that began the arrangement. Moderate. Perf. Time: 4:22. Recording by the Lakeside Singers.
SATB (some divisi) with piano
A somewhat simplified setting of catalog Number 601, with less divisi and soloist parts sung by sections. Tailored to high school vocal ranges. Easy to moderate. Perf. Time: 4:12. Recording by the Lakeside Singers.
SATB with Soprano or Tenor solo, piano and flute or harmonica
The arrangement of this beautiful folk song begins a cappella with the soloist. The choir enters to sing accompaniment, followed by the piano and flute or harmonica at the end of the first verse. Soloist re-enters to set up the powerful unison verse “when tyrants tremble” and the piece settles to a quiet ending. Powerful in performance. Moderate. Perf. Time: 4:31. Recording by the Lakeside Singers.
TTBB
SSAATTBB Alto or Tenor and Baritone soloists a cappella
Beginning with gregorian chant from before the 13th century in the men’s voices, the well-loved melody first appears in the alto. The vocal accompaniment to the melody retains the style of chant as the piece evolves. An alto or tenor soloist is followed by a baritone soloist as the accompaniment becomes a canon. The piece builds to a climax on the text “He saves us” and ends quietly with the chant from the beginning. Moderate to difficult, Perf. Time: 4:28. Recording by the Lakeside Singers.
The following arrangements were done for recording projects with the Lakeside Singers or for Silver By Fire, an eight voice all male vocal group.
Where applicable, rhythm chart available for $15
TTTBBB plus rhythm
Up tempo jazz with more than a little r&b influence. Great solo lines. Moderate to difficult. Perf. Time 3:01. Recording by Silver By Fire.
TTBB
Slow intro into a jazz waltz. Fun to sing and hear. Flute and guitar solos in the instrumental section.
Moderate to difficult. Perf. Time 2:59. Recording by Silver By Fire.
SATB plus rhythm
Similar to Catalog number 710 but arranged for SATB with divisi. Moderate to difficult. Perf. Time: 3:15. Recording by the Lakeside Singers.
Rhythm Chart for catalog number 720
Silent Night
TTTBBB a cappella
Begins slowly with African percussion and large spaces of silence. With constant solo opportunities throughout, the piece evolves through several rhythmic feels before ending as it began. Moderate to difficult. Perf. Time: 5:14. Recording by Silver By Fire.
TTTBBB
Gorgeous melody, treated mostly in a classical harmonization with individuality and some improvisation in the ornamentation of the solo lines. Moderate to difficult. Perf. Time 4:29. Recording by Silver By Fire.