NoiseBlog . . . joyful noise from gratemusic.com and LDSmusic.us

Exciting news! The Women’s Glee Club at the University of Northern Colorado will perform Nathan Howe’s setting of Far, Far Away on Judea’s Plains at their holiday concert on December 3rd, 2006 at the Union Colony Civic Center in Greeley, Colorado at 7:00. They have commissioned an SSAA version with piano accompaniment. We have now posted both SSAA and SATB editions, unaccompanied and with piano. See the music and hear the MIDI files here, and come to the concert on December 3rd if you are in the area.

Update: The Christmas page has been temporarily discontinued, as has Far, Far Away on Judea’s Plains. Stay tuned for further developments.

December is too late to start working on Christmas music for those who perform. Thus, we present today our Christmas page, an easy way to access all the Christmas music we will release in the coming weeks. We also proudly present our first offering of the Christmas season, Far, Far Away on Judea’s Plains. This well-known text by John Menzies Macfarlane has been set to new music for SATB chorus by Nathan Howe. It features jubilant compound meters and a memorable melody. Access the sheet music and hear a MIDI demonstration through our Christmas page or our Choral page.

Update: The Christmas page has been temporarily discontinued, as has Far, Far Away on Judea’s Plains. Stay tuned for further developments.

David Macfarlane has just released a rich new recording of his hymn Like Sunlight Gleams Thy Grace, O Lord. In conjunction with the release of the MP3, a new TTBB edition of the hymn has just been published. This hymn addresses the topic of grace in our relationship with Christ and its connection with faith and works. Access the new files through our hymns page.

We recently posted sheet music for Emulation by Nathan Howe, and even for accomplished pianists, it is difficult to get a realistic sense of the piece without hearing a choir sing it. To present it to the world, Nathan Howe has recorded Emulation with a choir composed of some of his closest friends - his alter egos. Head to the Recordings page to download and listen. Then feel free to Tell Us what you think.

This modern choral setting of an original text by Nathan Howe is designed for concert performance. First in a new set of songs called Psalms of the 21st Century, Emulation features rich 6-part harmonies. Emulation is intended for use by advanced choirs. Get it through our Choral Music page.