M-R Music
M-R Music presents
The Anthem
a newsletter for choral directors
Vol. 1, No. 1  August 2013

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Dick Boyd
Dick Boyd
Greetings fellow choral directors,and welcome to the first issue of The Anthem, our newsletter specifically for choral directors in all fields, whether you work with a school or a church program. 
 
For those of you who may not know me yet, my name is Dick Boyd and I've been working with choral music for over 40 years both as a performer and selling choral sheet music with a former store. 
 
I am now working with M-R Music to help expand their choral department and I'll be your guide to help introduce you to some new materials you can use to help your choral program. Each newsletter will focus on a different area of new sacred, secular, or educational choral music and materials. 

The leaves are still green, but as choir directors we must think ahead to when the leaves are off the trees and we anticipate Advent and Christmas. 
 
Many Christmas cantatas are published each year, but the following are some sacred Christmas cantatas that I have previewed and consider worthy of your consideration.
What Sweeter Music

A Festival of Carols arranged by Mark Hayes, featuring classic carols, an original setting of Mary's "Magnificat", and other original songs including a setting of the popular Robert Herrich poem, "What Sweeter Music".  CD's and two orchestrations available, click here to see a list of all available products with prices, along with audio samples to listen to.

SATB or SAB - $8.95
The Heart of Christmas

Embracing the Passion of those who lived the story, Pepper Choplin combines a variety of musical styles from Blues and bluegrass to the traditional to present a new musical perspective of the people from St. Luke's account of the first Christmas. Click here for a listing of available CD's and orchestrations, as well as some audio samples to enjoy.

SATB - 8.95
Lord of Glory

This cantata is centered around the traditional carol "Once in Royal David's City". Lord of Glory is a very approachable piece by Dan Forrest, a brilliant young composer and arranger who is now a choral editor for Beckenhorst Press. Accessible to typical church choirs, click here to see a list of accompaniment options and hear Forrest's music.
 
SATB - $8.95
Appalachian Winter

Joseph Martin takes us to Appalachia by setting several familiar carols in a delightful folk style. Celebrate the legacy of early American carols and hymnody with this charming cantata. Two accompaniment orchestrations are available, click here to see a list of available Trax and accompaniments.


SATB - $8.95

If none of these cantatas fit your bill, give me a call at 314-942-3088 or email me at [email protected] and I'll help you find something else that will work for you. Future issues of The Anthem will cover secular works, octavos, and new reference materials to help you thrive in your role as a choral director.  It's been a pleasure, I'll see you next time with a few sacred Christmas octavos to share with you.

Dick Boyd, Choral Specialist

In the meantime, please  to a colleague and spread the word around that the knowledge you came to expect from the former Shattinger Music store is still available here. 


MR-Music StaffThank you for your support, and we look forward to helping you in the new school and church year!
 
Your M-R Music Staff:
 
Jeff, Dick, Mark, Cindy, and Kevin
 
Choral Music direct line: 314/942-3088
General line: 314/291-4686     Fax:  314/621-4166
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