news

september update

It’s been a wee while since the last update and we do have a few new pieces. First, two pieces by Robert Grenier, who was featured in the last update. His Dies Irae (SATB, Piano) is a blockbuster, mostly in 7/8 time and with a non-stop, challenging piano accompaniment. Definitely not for the faint of heart but capturing well the mood of Day of Wrath. Secondly, and quite the contrast is his When Canadian Authors Meet (SSA, Piano), a humorous commentary on the ‘literati’. A fun piece that will be much enjoyed by choir and audience.

Andrew Mahon is new to Renforth Music and we publish two very straightforward pieces. For Pentecost, Listen, Sweet Dove (SATB a cappella or with organ- not piano) only when choir support is needed, and for Easter I Got Me Flowers (SATB a cappella). Words for both by the early 17th century Welsh/English priest George Herbert.

the latest from stephanie martin

Big news! From the composer of the very popular Nothing Gold Can Stay, we have a new Stephanie Martin piece that we believe might be just as popular. The Treasures, words by Lucy Maud Montgomery of Anne of Green Gables fame is a lovely number for SATB a cappella. The words describe the ‘treasures’ - the prayer of a friend, the affection of a child, the blessing from a beggar, that the writer knows can not be ‘taken with her into immortality.’

We have three versions of this piece- closed score, open score with complete front page title and catalogue information, and open score with music starting on the title page and notes and words a little larger. The piece has been commissioned and recorded by the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir and the release is in ‘late November.’ Scores are available immediately.

our latest offerings

A shout out to all treble-voiced choirs. We have two new SSA with piano pieces by Robert Grenier: Psalm 100 and Titania’s Lullaby, with words from Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Both are attractive and not too difficult.

Robert has another piece, for SATB with soprano soloist and piano, called Lord of My Heart’s Elation. Again, moderately difficult although the solo part has a couple of phrases with some brief high notes.

We have another new composer’s work to offer. Wisdom, SATB with piano, by Carla Klassen has fairly straightforward homophonic harmonies of the choir but an intriguing piano part that, at times is almost like an obligato. Words are from the Wisdom of Solomon.

Our final offering is an intriguing SATB with piano piece, On My Way to Canada, by Harris Loewen. Words are by a Black abolitionist writer Joshua McCarter Simpson. It is a long piece with six stanzas describing an escaping slave’s hopes and dreams of getting to Canada where ‘everyone is free.’ A good high school or community choir standard, requiring a decent pianist.

previous next