Christmas Clave (SA + bass)

I’ve wanted to write a fun and groovy composition for Christmas for a little while, and when inspiration struck, I giggled and went with the flow.  I woke up one morning in late November, humming an Afro-Cuban bass line.  I got into the shower, and somehow the clave pattern of that bass line had morphed into a rhythmic O Holy Night.  I went to write it down, and other Christmas carols yammered to be included.  I obliged.

This piece combines O Holy Night, Angels We Have Heard On High, Deck The Halls, and even a line of Oh Christmas Tree (feel free to use the German words, if you prefer.)  The original conception is for 2-voices and upright bass, but substitute with piano as necessary.  Maybe even throw in a shaker.

PDF: Christmas Clave SA+bass

Midi: Christmas Clave SA midi file

(I have also started working on an a cappella SATB version, but the school year has begun once again and I make no promises.  If you are interested and I still haven’t posted it by the time Christmas music comes around again, send me an email.)

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If you perform any of my works, please email me at heather (dot) k (dot) graves (at) gmail (dot) com, as I would love to hear others’ versions of my compositions.  Thanks!  Please also contact me if you would like the MuseScore file.

Bring A Torch, Jeanette, Isabella! (SSA)

Recharged from the summer, I delved into the carol book and discovered an Old French gem.  Not having grown up with this carol made it easy to re-harmonize the melody for a cappella treble choir.   I also reworked some of the lyrics to focus on the joy I feel every holiday season.  Merry Christmas!

 

PDF: Bring A Torch SSA

Midi: Bring A Torch midi

O Captain! My Captain! (SSAA)

This is a setting of Walt Whitman’s poem O Captain! My Captain! The first line of this poem was made famous by Robin Williams in Dead Poets Society (1989).  I heard the poem in its entirety in May at my school’s public speaking competition, and was immediately caught by the musicality and phrasing of the words.  My setting is for a cappella women’s choir, and also uses a tom (this can be substituted using a djembe or another low drum.)

PDF: O Captain! My Captain! SSAA

Midi: Oh Captain! midi file