CHORAL MUSIC

Below is a list and description of Brian's published choral compositions and arrangements, which are available at your local music store. Further below, you'll find another list of unpublished works, which are available for sale directly through the composer.

Brian is currently accepting commissions for new works.

PUBLISHED COMPOSITIONS

LIFT UP YOUR VOICE
Publisher: Pavane (P1342)
http://www.pavanepublishing.com/
SATB or SSA with soloist, piano
Level: medium
An upbeat and joyous gospel song, great for choirs who are not used to singing in a gospel style.

KLEE WYCK
Publisher: Cypress
http://www.cypresschoral.com/
SA, piano, triangle and frame drum
Level: easy
An evocative tribute to Emily Carr.

HOLD ME, ROCK ME
Publisher: Pavane
http://www.pavanepublishing.com/
SATB (P1244), SSAA (P1320)
Level: medium
A contemporary and inspirational spiritual, singing about "I got a home on the other side".

GATE, GATE
Publisher: earthsongs
http://www.earthsongschoralmusic.com/
SATB or SSA, piano
Level: medium
(SATB a capella arrangement available from the composer)
A rhythmic, upbeat work with some odd meters based on a Buddhist text; in Sanskrit and English.

NADA BRAHMA (The World is Sound)
Publisher: Pavane (P1189)
http://www.pavanepublishing.com/
SATB, piano
Level: easy/medium
A pop-flavoured, upbeat work with a four-bar chant (passacaglia) that is
heard throughout, passing from section to section.

MISSA BREVIS RITMICO
Publisher: Pavane (P3006)
http://www.pavanepublishing.com/
SATB, piano
Level: medium
An exuberant and rhythmic setting of the Kyrie, Sanctus, and Gloria with each movement featuring specific rhythms. May be performed as a set or separately.

PUBLISHED ARRANGEMENTS

ROLL, JORDAN, ROLL
Publisher: Pavane
http://www.pavanepublishing.com/
SATB (P1231) and SSAA (P1331) A capella with soloists
Level: medium to difficult
A challenging concert spiritual with a strong gospel flavour, which features each section of the choir.

KWAHERI
Publisher: Pavane (P1313) http://www.pavanepublishing.com/
Level: medium
SATB (P1249), SSAA (P1321)percussion
A spirited African song, traditionally sung at the end of gatherings, meaning "goodbye my friend, we will meet again if God wills."
(See the RJC Chorale perform Kwaheri on You Tube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dmDoIFolJIs)

KAKI LAMBE
Publisher: Pavane
http://www.pavanepublishing.com/
SATB (P1249), SSAA (P1321) percussion
Level: medium

YEMAYA ASESU
Publisher: Alliance (AMP 0736) http://www.alliancemusic.com/
SATB, descant
Level: medium
A chant to Yemaya, the Orisha (spirit) of the oceans and motherhood, arranged into harmony and counterpoint, with an additional descant line. An example of the exquisite, yet rarely-heard Santeria music from Cuba.

I WANT TO DIE EASY WHEN I DIE
SATB Publisher: Pavane (P1312) http://www.pavanepublishing.com/
Level: medium
A traditional spiritual with an energetic
and funky gospel feel.

THE WATER IS WIDE
Publisher: Pavane (P1190)
http://www.pavanepublishing.com/
SA, piano or harp
Level: easy
A simple arrangement of the popular folk classic with an emphasis on contrapuntal suspensions.

I GOT A HOME IN D'ROCK
Publisher: Pavane
http://www.pavanepublishing.com/
SATB with djembe
Level: medium

UNPUBLISHED COMPOSITIONS

ORIGINAL MUSIC

I GOT JOY
SATB, piano (bass, drums, opt.) with soloist(s)
Level: medium
Rocking, funky contemporary gospel with a choir part that audiences/congregations can sing along with.
Suitable for sacred and secular performance

WE ARE ONE
SATB, piano (bass, drums, opt.) with opt. soloist(s)
Level: medium
Anthem-like with a gospel feel in a medium 12/8. Theme of unity, builds to a huge ending.
Suitable for sacred and secular performance. Often performed with mass choirs.

DONA NOBIS PACEM
SATB or SAB or SSA with several soloists: SS, AA, TT, piano
Level: easy
A chant-like choral part with soloists alternating over top.
Designed for audiences/congregations to join in on the alto and soprano line.

THREE MYSTIC ROUNDS
Any combination of voices; optional percussion.
Three simple rounds that may also be used as processional or audience-participation music.
1. Where Do We Come From? 3- or 4-part round. Virtually infinite possibilities by staggering entrances.
2. We Are Walking: 3-part.
3. Kyrie Eleison: 3-part.

LIFT UP YOUR VOICE
SATB or SSA with soloist, piano
Level: medium
An upbeat and joyous gospel song, great for choirs who are not used to singing in a gospel style.

COME IN PEACE
SATB or SSA with soloist, piano
Level: easy
A simple yet powerful slow gospel song that starts quietly and builds. Works as an anthem as well as a processional or recessional ("Go in Peace").

JAVA JAZZBAND
SATB (or any combination of 4 parts), piano
Level: easy
Popular with adult choirs as well as kids, this easy and swinging tribute to our fixation with coffee creates a vocal "big band" with rhythm section, trombones, saxes, and trumpets.

UNPUBLISHED ARRANGEMENTS

SOMETIMES I FEEL LIKE A MOTHERLESS CHILD
SSATB or any combination of voices, with soloists and optional percussion.
Level: medium
Simple and soulful arrangement of the spiritual.
Requires a feel for non-classical phrasing, i.e., scooping, sliding, funky rhythms. Soloists sing the verse in an improvised manner.

SHEEP, SHEEP, DON'T YOU KNOW THE ROAD?
SATB with soloists and percussion. May also be done SSAA.
Level: medium
A rhythmic and funky arrangement of the spiritual.
Requires a feel for non-classical phrasing, i.e., scooping, sliding, funky rhythms. Soloists sing call and response with the choir.

DEEP RIVER
SATB with soloist
Level: medium
A soulful rendition of this powerful and popular audience favourite. Divides to eight parts for final chorus.

BRIGHT MORNING STARS
SATB or SAB or SSA, optional piano
Level: medium/challenging
This arrangement of this beautiful folk song features unisons, lush harmonies, mixed meters, and a wide range of dynamics and range to create a strong emotional impact.

THE VIRGIN MARY HAD A BABY BOY
SATB or SSAA or TTBB with soloist(s)
Level: medium
A lively, close-harmony rendition of the popular Calypso carol.

KWAN ZEON BOSAI
SSATB or SSSAA
Level: medium/challenging
A Korean Buddhist chant, traditionally sung in unison, turned into hypnotic, interlocking layers of sound.

NOEL/HOLY NIGHT
SA, piano
Level: easy
A dramatic and different take on these two popular and common carols. The two carols alternate one verse at a time, finally joining together unexpectedly for a rousing finale.

SILENT NIGHT
S/A, piano
Level: easy
The traditional melody completely re-harmonized into a meditative, rubato jazz ballad with lush piano harmonies. A nice way to feature your accompanist as well as your choir.

GIVE ME A MELODY (Music by J.S. Bach, arrangement and lyrics by Brian Tate)
SSA
Level: advanced
A spirited three-part invention by Bach finds new life in a challenging choral arrangement with original lyrics.

To order any of the above unpublished works, please contact Brian at briantate@shaw.ca.

Published works can be ordered through your local music store.

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Photo: Alistair Eagle, courtesy of the Universal Gospel Choir