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Alvin Singleton

Prayer

for tenor solo, chamber choir, organ, harp, trumpet, and cello

(2016)
Text informationText based on three spirituals and a traditional prayer
Duration21'
CommissionCommissioned by the Cincinnati May Festival
PremiereMay 22, 2016 · Cincinnati, OH, Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption (USA) · Conductor: James Conlon · Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra · May Festival Youth Chorus · Choir director: James Bagwell
LanguageEnglish
PublisherSchott Music

Program Note

Prayer is one of the composer’s most original and sophisticated works. The typical African-American church service seems to be a source for this piece with its interplay of sections and colors, yet the work in form and rhythmic choices is clearly ‘classical’ and never breaks out into easy imitations of, for example, gospel music. The work opens with the choir singing the spiritual ‘My Lord, What a Mornin’’ in octaves, sung flat-out a cappella, as might happen in church. The instrumental section following this opening feels very much like a thoughtful response by the congregation. Instruments seem to behave like individual churchgoers, colorfully dressed and answering various episodes with individual thoughts. As for any fears that the mighty organ might drown out the proceedings, Singleton puts that to rest by employing it almost like another choir or section of the choir. The trumpet soloist does not blast us into heaven, it tends to sing and, we find out later, is preparing us for the spiritual ‘Where Shall I Be When the Firs’ Trumpet Soun’?’ Even the tenor soloist behaves much like just another (but still important) instrument. The composer has chosen to not only feature spirituals, but also to set a poetic text called A Christian Prayer, whose main message, almost like some modern-day Kyrie, calls out ‘save us … teach us …’ and extols the importance of humility and the defeat of violence. Singleton has always been a composer who has simultaneously answered the call to carry out what he feels is his duty to his fellow humans while using the finest of his art to do so, and Prayer finds him at the top of his game.

– Carman Moore

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Types of Products

Voice and Piano Score (Print)

Full Score/Performance Score (4 required for performance) (Digital)

solo part and piano reduction (Digital)

solo part and piano reduction (Print)

Full Score/Performance Score (6 scores required for performance) (Digital)

Performance Score (includes 4 scores) (Print)

Choral Scores (Digital - Bulk Purchase for Performance) (Digital)
This price covers the minimum cost of digital copies for performance.

Choral Score Set (Digital)

Choral Score Set (16 copies) (Digital)

Choral Score Set (License for 16 copies) (Digital)

Full Score/Performance Score (5 scores required for performance) (Digital)
Pricing reflects cost of 5 digital scores.

Full Score/Performance Score (8 scores required for performance) (Print)

Full Score/Performance Score (5 copies required for performance) (Print)

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Vocal Score Set - License for 16 copies (Digital)

Vocal Score Set - 16 copies (Print)

Score (Digital)

Score (Print)

Volume 1 (Print)

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Full Score/Performance Score (price reflects 5 copies) (Digital)

Full Score/Performance Score (6 scores needed for performance) (Print)

Full Score/Performance Score (price reflects 6 copies) (Digital)

Full Score/Performance Score (price reflects 4 copies) (Digital)

Free ToneBase Digital Download (Digital)

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Full Score/Performance Score (3 scores required for performance) (Digital)

Free download with code ToneBaseFree (Digital)

Full Score/Performance Score (price reflects 3 copies) (Digital)

Full Score/Choral Score (set of 12) (Digital)

Full Score/Choral Score (set of 12) (Print)

Voice and Piano Score (Digital)

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Full Score/Violin Part (Print)

Conductor Score (Print)

Score and part (Print)

Score and part (Digital)

Choral Score Set - 16 copies (Print)
Includes 8 copies of the soprano/alto part and 8 copies of the tenor/bass part.

Piano Reduction and solo parts (Digital)

Chamber Ensemble Score (Print)

Choral Score Set - 20 copies (Print)

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Parts (Mov. 11 only) (Print)

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Full Score/Performance Score (2 required for performance) (Print)

Full Score/Performance Score (includes 3 copies) (Digital)

Full Score/Performance Score (includes 3 copies) (Print)

Choral Booklet (Digital)

Choral Booklet (Print)

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Video and instructions (Digital)

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Choral Score Set (40 copies) (Print)

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Score and part PDF files are delivered via email upon receipt. Any electronic files associated with the work are included with every purchase.

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A PDF file of the full score is delivered via email upon receipt.

Soprano/Alto Part (Print)

Choral Score Set (License for 50 copies) (Digital)

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A PDF file of the part(s) is delivered via email upon receipt.

Parts (Print)
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A score PDF file is delivered via email upon receipt. Any electronic files associated with the work are included with every purchase. An email containing a link to download the electronic files is sent to the customer's email address.

Full Score/Performance Score (Digital)
The full score serves as a performance score for all players. A score PDF file is delivered via email upon receipt. Any electronic files associated with the work are included with every purchase. An email containing a link to download the electronic files is sent to the customer's email address.

Score and Parts (Print)
A print edition of the score and part(s) ship to the customer's address upon receipt. Any electronic files associated with the work are included with every purchase. The email containing a link to download the electronic files is sent to the customer.

Solo Instrument Score (Print)
A print edition of the score is shipped to the customer's address upon receipt. Any electronic files associated with the work are included with every purchase. An email containing a link to download the electronic files is sent to the customer's email address.

Full Score/Performance Score (Print)
The full score serves as a performance score for all players. Print edition(s) of the full score/performance score are shipped to the customer's address upon receipt. Multiple copies are included if the work has more than one player. Any electronic files associated with the work are included with every purchase.

Choral Score (Digital)
A PDF file of the choral score is delivered via email upon receipt. The set is priced to allow multiple copies of the PDF to be printed for performance by the purchasing organization only.

Study Score (print) (Digital)

Study Score (print) (Print)

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Minimum order quantity is 8 copies. Single copies are not available.

SATB choral score (Print)

Vocal Score (Digital)

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Mezzo-soprano, 2 tenors, baritone score (Print)

Study Score (Print)

Study Score (Digital)

SATB choral score (Digital)

Mezzo-soprano, 2 tenors, baritone score (Digital)


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