PROFONDO – THE MARK SIRETT SERIES
quality music for low voices

After the War
TTBB with piano – CP 1378 – duration 4:35
SATB with piano – CP 1328
SSA with piano – CP 1326
Sarah Slean sang this song in the film “Passchendaele”. Paul Gross, from Calgary-Alberta, wrote, co-produced and starred in the film which focuses on the experiences of a Canadian soldier at the Third Battle of Ypres. Mark has transformed the song into a wonderful choral composition which would be well suited to Remembrance Day events or any concert concerning War and Peace.
Instrumental parts – (optional and not available through retailers) – $20 (full set sent via PDF files):
full score plus; oboe, flute, violin and double bass
All the Diamonds
TBB with piano – CP 1286 – duration 2:45
SATB with piano – CP 1273
SSA with piano – CP 1348
Bruce Cockburn is one of Canada’s most beloved folk musicians. Rolling Stone magazine once called him Bob Dylan of the north. Larry Nickel has loved this song since the 1970‘s.
Barrett’s Privateers
by Stan Rogers, arr. Ron Smail
TTBB – CP 1253 – duration 3:50
SATB – CP 1226
Stan Rogers, Canada’s folk music hero, speaks to all of us through his words and music. This is a rollicking sea shanty. Not many songs have swearing (moderate) but this one really works! You might be swearing too if you lost both your legs!
Christmas in Carrick
SATB a cappella with violin and spoons – CP 1912 – duration 2:05
SSA a cappella with violin and spoons – CP 1921
TBB a cappella with violin and spoons – CP 1920
Who cares if we work tomorrow?
Now’s the time to spread good cheer!
Pass the punch around the table!
Christmas comes but once a year!
Cliffs of Dooneen
TTBB with piano – CP 1889 – duration 4:05
SATB with piano – CP 1164
SSA with piano – CP 1382
The Cliffs of Dooneen is a popular and haunting Irish folk song that extols the rugged beauty of the Atlantic coast. The final verse expresses longing for the homeland–a sentiment shared by many Irish immigrants during the nineteenth century when they were forced to leave for North America because of the Great Famine. This arrangement was written for Sister Rita Clare and the Cape Breton Chorale for the Celtic Colours Festival in 2008. The SSA version is dedicated to Ann McIntyre, Conductor of the Edmonton Children’s Choir.
Cotton Jenny
TTBB with piano – CP 1790 – duration 3:20
SATB with piano – CP 1787
Many singers and audience members will remember this delightful folk song by Lightfoot. “Wheels of love go ’round!” Dr. Sirett has created an approachable type of “round” with his skillful writing. Great fun!
Dulce et Decorum - from Requiem for Peace
SATB with piano – CP 1781
TTBB with piano – CP 1785 – duration 4:10
Wilfred Owen’s poem was born in the muddy trenches. This movement from Requiem for Peace has been performed at Remembrance Day/Memorial Day concerts. It works well together Long Black Arm.
Dry Land
SATB with piano – CP 1996 – duration 4:35.
TBB with piano – CP 2004
SSA available upon request
I yearned to feel the ocean’s roll,
I was always the seafaring kind.
But too many storms have taken their toll,
and all that remains on my mind –
Is dry land, dry land –
It’s been seven fortnights since we raised the sail.
All hands, dry land –
We’ve slipped from the grip of a force seven gale to dry land.
Farewell to Tarwathie
TTBB with piano – CP 1876 – duration 3:30
SATB with piano – CP 1357
SSA with piano – CP 1597
Hunting for whale off the coast of Greenland and the pain of separation – leaving loved ones across the sea. This is another effective folk song that will endear audiences.
Fire
SATB – CP 1451 – duration 1:35
SSAA – CP 1635
TTBB – CP 2005
Fire is a fun, lively and energetic work incorporating vocal percussion, body percussion, nasal singing, calls, nonsense syllables, as well as optional percussion. Fire is the third piece in a set of four SATB works called Elements.
fire
heat, light
strength, fuel, drive
burning, melting, evaporating, and transforming
fire
The Gift
SATB a cappella – CP 1247 – 3:15
TBB a cappella – CP 1519
Simple yet powerful, authentic and moving: these words describe Russell’s wonderful celebration chant.
The Grace of Light
by Don Macdonald
SATB a cappella – duration 5:00
TTBB a cappella
SSAA a cappella
Our night awakens with a flame
and it’s luminous, luminous.
The shadows trace a perfect frame.
Luminous, luminous.
And while the northern winds conspire,
we’re held by the trees
and lulled by the fire.
We sleep and dream ‘neath astral seas
then wake to shimmering fields of aurora.
Hunker Down
SATB a cappella – CP 1172 – duration 2:55
TTBB a cappella – CP 1181
A storm is coming so batten down the hatches! – tie up those boats and run for cover!
This is a rousing song – guaranteed to be a fun sing and a people pleaser.
I Dreamed of Rain
TTBB with piano – CP 1211 – duration 3:20
SATB with piano – CP 1182
SAB with piano – CP 1192
SSA with piano – CP 1193
“It had been a particularly hot dry year in 2002, and wild fires were raging across much of the western US. The political scene felt equally troubling and out-of-control to me. It was as if the whole world was on fire. In the midst of all this unrest, I began to have dreams of rain.” Jan Garrett. Choral composer, Larry Nickel, was captured by the beautiful simplicity of Jan’s song and set it for choir with approachable rich harmonies.
In the Early Morning Rain
by Gordon Lightfoot, arr. Mark Sirett
SATB with piano – CP 2101 – duration 4:20
TTBB with piano – CP 2102
options: Guitar, Bass and Violin parts
This classic song has been covered by many artists from Bob Dylan and “Peter, Paul and Mary” to Elvis.
In the early morning rain with a dollar in my hand
With an aching in my heart and my pockets full of sand
I’m a long way from home, Lord, I miss my loved ones so
In the early morning rain with no place to go
Jing-ga-lye-ya
TTBB a cappella – CP 1056 – duration 2:10
SATB a cappella – CP 1048
This piece has been an instant success for everyone who’s tried it. Using nonsense words, it is rhythmic and upbeat, and uses cyclical repetition in the parts creating an incredibly catchy groove! A must-see.
A Kind Heart
TTBB with piano – CP 1570 – duration 4:20
SATB with piano – CP 1569
The beautiful and life affirming poem by Marjorie Pickthall is given a classy and poignant setting in the inimitable Emery style.
Lord Franklin
arr. Benjamin Bolden
SATB a cappella – CP 1698 – duration 4:30
TTBB a cappella – CP 2057
In Baffin’s Bay where the whale fish blow
The fate of Franklin no man may know
O Little Rose, O Dark Rose
by Gerda Blok-Wilson
TTBB a cappella – CP 1848 – duration 3:55
SATB a cappella – CP 1849 – duration 3:55
I chose “O Little Rose, O Dark Rose” for both its sweet and dark elements. Robert’s poem uses garden imagery to paint a story about a conventional person seduced by the appearance of the free spirited and non-committal “Carmenesque” person.
The composition was recorded by Britain’s Gesualdo Six for their CD (“FADING”).
“We are really pleased to have stumbled across an absolute gem” (Gesualdo Six) and “an achingly beautiful setting of ‘O Little Rose, O Dark Rose.” (Stefan Hintersteininger – Canadian Music Centre).
Painter of Wintertime
by Robbie Smith, arr. Frances Farrell
SATB with piano – CP 1958 – duration 4:10
SSA with piano – CP 1972
TTBB with piano – CP 1981
A lilting and lyrical depiction of a magical snowy morning based on Robbie Smith’s evocative lyrics and enchanting melodies that features a mixture of unison singing, four-part harmonies and an imaginative and sensitive piano accompaniment. An ideal choice for Winter-themed programs.
Snow drift, fresh powder peaceful
Ice diamond aspen tree, tasting the wind
Snowflake, cotton and crystal
Candy cane Christmas tree, ornament sky
Painter of wintertime of smooth wispy swirl
Painter of wintertime, your canvas the world
Pierless Bridge, the
TTBB with piano – CP 1333 – duration 3:10
SATB with piano – CP 1294
SSA with piano – CP 1332
Emily Dickinson explores the question of faith is this poignant poem and Mark gives her poetry a perfect gentle setting. (a personal favourite of Dr. Larry Nickel)
Red-winged Blackbird
by David Francey; arr. Mark Sirett
SATB with piano – CP 2082 – duration 2:25
SSA with piano – CP 2083
TBB with piano – CP 2084
He’ll be in there singing his heart out,
He’ll be telling me stories too,
Of where he went to winter last year,
Of how he’s going back there too.
Thought I heard a red winged blackbird,
Red winged blackbird down my road,
Thought I heard a red winged blackbird,
Red winged blackbird down my road.
Scottish Airs
TTBB – with piano – CP 1905 – duration 3:45
Men’s choirs will enjoy this medley of an energetic Scottish war song (Scots Wha Hae, with raucous bagpipe imitation and a wide range of dynamics, followed by a quiet lilting taste of the Skye Boat Song. Interest at the end is maintained by a meeting of the clans, using partner songs: Will Ye No Come Back Again? and Scotland the Brave, each sung by different parts of the choir, as two clans come together from neighbouring glens. The coda is a pianissimo invitation to visit Scotland again.
Sleep Now
TTBB a cappella – CP 1415 – duration 3:20
SATB a cappella – CP 1416
Matthew chooses this texts carefully – in this case, a lovely poem by James Joyce. Comfort and rest – sleep.
Sparrow
TTBB with piano and violin or flute – CP 1890 – duration 3:05
SSA with piano and violin or flute – CP 1607
SATB with piano and violin or flute – CP 1610
violin part available upon request (no charge)
Little sparrow, still you fly
Still you gaze into the sky
Are you longing, do you yearn
For a tall tree to return?
Tabula Rasa
SATB (with divisi) – CP 1169 – 3:40
SSAA – CP 1318
TTBB – CP 1707
Tabula Rasa – This Latin phrase translates as “Blank Slate” in English. The composer had a specific image in mind when composing this music. A quiet moment between a mother and child when the mother sees, as she has never seen, the potential of the precious life she holds in her arms. A silent acknowledgement of her child and every child as a “blank slate” with seemingly limitless potential.
This emotionally uplifting work relies on gentle dissonances that ebb and flow with the Spanish text. It has been performed by youth choirs as well as professional ensembles and would make a great choice for festival competition.
We Rise Again
arr. Stephen Smith
TTBB with piano – CP 1136 duration – 4:00
SSAA with piano – CP 1143
SATB with piano – CP 1141
Leon Dubinsky’s well known coal miners song was made popular by the Rankins, and this arrangement by Stephen Smith has been sung throughout Canada and the US by the men’s choir, Chor Leoni. (click listen) A great crowd pleaser, this accessible version tugs at the heart strings of all who see children as our hope for the future.
When Dawn Shines
TTBB a cappella – CP 1299 – duration 2:05
SATB a cappella – CP 1346
This heartfelt piece of remembrance shares a message of hope and inspiration. With text by Canadian poet Justin Zadorsky, When Dawn Shines is a moving addition to any Men’s Chorus festival or concert program.
“When the sun shines, my spirit will renew its gladness.”
Winter Awakening
by Robbie Smith, arr. Erica Phare-Bergh
SATB with piano and instruments – CP 1961 – duration 4:05
SSAA with piano and instruments – CP 1975
TBB – available upon request
This is one of Robbie Smith’s most beautiful songs – in a minor key – and Erica has given it a stunning choral arrangement with sweet-spot vocal registers and interesting lines for each singer. The ideal instrumental accompaniment should include violin and recorder. However, this song would work well with almost any combination of C instruments. We also have a solo option for flute, violin, oboe or recorder.
Wind awakens winter in me
And leaves my spirit bleak and barren
Yearning for fond moments to be
And the spring in all its fragrant finery
Skies are dressed in dull shades of gray
And the farmland fields lie sleeping fallow
A lone bird call takes me away
To future promise far away from today
Winter Proverbs
by Frances Farrell
TTBB a cappella – CP 1590 – duration 7:00