calling dramatists, singers, organists, musicians - anyone that knows church music.......

[HRHQueenOfQuelNoel]

and dramas please.

OK here's my dilema. Good Friday is 14 weeks tonight. Usually the "choir" puts on a performance - in previous years they've done Olivet de Calavary (sp?), and with me they've done Jerusalem Joy and Stainer's Crucifixtion.

On these occasions members of other choirs havecome and joined us - boosting our numbers up to around 40. However, this year our choir has depleted dramatically (I'm down to about 12 regulars - all Alto's and Soprano's - no men at all ) and I don't want people in the church to think the choir is doing "fine" by inviting other people in this year.

What I'm thinking of doing is an evening of anthems, hymns and shorts dramas (we've got some fabulous youngsters in the church who often do little sketches during the services and other events) based around Easter stuff. But I haven't got a clue where to start.

I need solos, duets, pieces for SA, or SSA, or SSAA?? with an Easter theme???? Also does anyone know of any short sketches or dramas (you know the 5 minute type ones (or perhaps slightly longer) that the young people could do (it's all in church so nothing that needs dramatic entrances or lots of scenery) also with an Easter theme???

Please help

I've got a book of Soprano and Alto anthems at school - I'll bring them home on Monday.

Do the Faure Requiem and I'll come and listen - you might bring me back to religion, QoQ!

Ds posted my CD down the floorboards when he was a toddler, and I miss it!

Blu call yourself an atheist

Wow loads of ideas coming here - only had a quick read through - as I got up 50 minutes ago, have just showered, and now need to cook my family some dinner before getting ready to go to work again this evening.......I'm on with the Manager tonight eeeek.

Actually, the In Paradisum from the Durufle Requiem is gorgeous as well - and in the main upper voices. Most difficult part is for the organist!

How about this for an idea - get a decent baritone, then you can do Rise Heart, include some of the Faure (Libera Me/In paradisum), have some solo/small group items and then finish with the last of the Vaughan Williams songs 'Let all the world', but in the upper voices only version (which is in the back of the book with the 5 songs in).

We had a fab baritone Tortoiseshell and used to the RVW 5 and the Faure to showcase his beautiful voice (and the Victoria actually too)

You can't beat a fantastic baritone sound can you marina!

Especially if he also looks like Simon Keenlyside (phwoarrrr)

QoQ what about a lovely Rutter triple bill:

A Gaelic Blessing (SSA)
The Lord Bless You and Keep You (SA)
For the Beauty of the Earth (SA)

not too tricky, v popular and the oldies will love it
not a dry eye in the house

Faure's Messe Basse is for female voices only but I've never sung it so don't know how tricky it is (it is lovely though).

I'll have a look in Carols for Choirs 4 (the one for female voices) to see if there are any Easter ones.

Barry Rose has done a series of books - one's called High Praise for upper voices.

Just looked him up Marina - very nice too! A bit Viggo Mortensenesque ( who I have SUCH a crush on....)

I think Messe Basse is do-able, our Junior Choir once gave it a bash.

High point of pre-ds/dd concert going was seeing him dance about in a short tunic in a ridiculous production of L'Orfeo. He was very good - not many opera stars can sing and bounce at the same time (sorry HRHQoN hijack over)

oh that is a good idea gingernut

Looked in Carols for Choirs 4 but they are all Christmas carols (some could be used at other times but they all allude to the Christmas theme).

How about Tota Pulchra Es by Durufle, one of his 4 motets on Gregorian Themes, fab piece but no idea if suitable for Easter (I can't translate the Latin).

And Sound the Trumpet by Purcell - there is an arrangement for 2 voices (can be male or female) (Novello).

HRHQueen. I used to run the drama group in my church. One thing we did once which turned out to be really powerful was we acted out a song by Don Francisco - Too small a price. Its about the crucifxion. He's an American Christian singer, some of his stuff is a bit cheesy but when we did this one it turned out really well. If you are interested I am sure I can send you across the song.

John Rutter? Has some lovely ssa/ sa arrangements of traditioanl hymns

Can't remember what I've sung SSAA and what SATB I'm afraid, and haven't read the full thread, but: Orlando Gibbons Drop Drop Slow Tears is a goodie.

Hundreds of lovely Te Deums about that you could look at.

John Ireland - My song is love unknown is beautiful and quite simple and I'm SURE is in a SSAA (or even SA) arrangement.

Lord let me know mine end by Parry a good one for Easter. Probably only possible SATB but I don't know.

One which is def. SATB but I'll mention because I LOVE IT (if I ever get a state funeral in st paul's cathedral I'm having this!) is Balfour Gardiner's Evening Hymn. Shivers up the spine.

OK, back to the case in hand. Could you do Mendelssohn's I waited for the Lord? Nice and bound to be SSAA somewhere.

Also lots of Rutters, could finish with THe Lord bless you and keep you if you want a bit of schmaltz...

All very trad english choral stuff, I'll try and think a bit more laterally as well..

Ha, didn't really read that there were only 12 of them, that is Parry and Balfour Gardiner out the window!!!

Rutter a no brainer, similarly some nice arrangements of Faure Vaughn Williams as suggested. If you have good voices that can keep pitch how about some plainsong? Gregorian chants and passiontide go together like eggs and bacon and can be very effective in a good venue...

Hymns - the day thou gavest lord is ended?
Also the Ireland arrangement of "it is a thing most wonderful" is nice and simple. Also we used to sing a lovely "god be in my head" which I suspect was rutter but don't know, that is quite good.

I think I've run out of ideas now.

did you see my rutter suggestions pph?
the Lord Bless you and Keep You, not a dry seat in the house
i probably have some of this knocking around if you want QoQ

wow loads of ideas here - spoke to the Vicar over the weekend - she's very specific is has to be "very" Easter related as it'll be in place of the Good Friday performance of the Crucifixtion/Jerusalem Joy/Olivet de Calvary...