Choral Composition: A Handbook for Composers, Arrangers, Conductors, and Singers

by Robert Stephan Hines

Overview

This comprehensive handbook details the fundamentals and forms of choral composition and expands upon the coverage and number of topics in Archibald T. Davison's 1945 classic text Choral Composition. Historical trends in choral composition are traced with a special emphasis on the profusion of changes that occurred throughout the twentieth century, particularly since 1950. Early chapters focus on characteristics of voice, notation, text, devices, part writing, a cappella and instrumental accompaniments, and choral forms. Hines goes on to analyze the utilization of soloists and choruses with instrumental chamber ensembles, orchestra, and the role of the chorus in opera, operetta, musicals, and music theater. A final chapter addresses practical concerns: music publication and how the artist can function effectively in that world.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780313315886
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	06/30/2001
Series:	Jazz Companions Series
Pages:	296
Sales rank:	1,485,012
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.81(d)

About the Author

ROBERT STEPHAN HINES has authored or co-authored five books on twentieth-century choral and orchestral music, Singers' Liturgical Latin, and freshman and sophomore ear training. He has held teaching or administrative posts at Southern Illinois University, Wichita State University. and the University of Hawaii at Manoa. In Hawaii, he served as choral director, department chairman and a decade as dean of the College of Arts and Humanities.

Table of Contents

Preface
Music Examples
Introduction
Choral Notation
Text and Textual Devices
Choral Composition Devices
Choral Part Writing, Voicings, Accompaniments and Forms
Types of Choruses
Soloists with Chorus
Keyboard Instruments
Chamber and Instrumental Ensembles with Chorus
Orchestra with Chorus and Soloists
Chorus in Opera, Operetta, Musical Comedy and Music Theater
Publication
Bibliography
Index

Editorial Reviews

This text comprises an up-to-date manual on the art and craft of choral composition. Hines (former choral director and dean at the U. of Hawaii) provides basic information as well as sophisticated techniques that emphasize the musical and aesthetic qualities of the genre. The 11 chapters cover fundamentals, types of choruses and how they function, areas of sacred and secular music where the choral idiom is central or has a significant supporting role (such as opera, operetta, musical comedy, music theater, or films), publication, and composition as a career. Each chapter ends by listing recommended works for study and listening. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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