Sarah Quartel Catalogue

Choral Leaflets/Octavos Secular
The Parting Glass
TTBB or SATB unaccompanied
TTBB Vocal score 9780193527461
TTBB Digital 9780193531499
SATB Vocal score 9780193550773
SATB Digital 9780193550780
The Parting Glass is a traditional Scottish song, often sung
as a farewell at the end of a get-together. Sarah Quartel’s
arrangement features close harmonies, idiomatic Scotch
snap rhythms, and effective interjectory moments in
what is a largely homophonic setting. With its valedictory
message, it would make a fitting end to a performance,
perhaps as an encore item.
3 minutes
Refuge
SSAA & piano
Vocal score 9780193552272
Digital 9780193552289
Refuge sets a powerful Sara Teasdale poem by the same
name, which perfectly captures the healing power of
singing: ‘For with my singing I can make a refuge for my
spirit’s sake, A house of shining words, to be my fragile
immortality’. Quartel uses musical structure to complement
the poem’s narrative, opening and closing with music
marked ‘resilient and strong’, with a central section that is
‘warm and hopeful’, as expressed by rich harmonies and
soaring melodic lines.
3.5 minutes
See the Light
SA and piano
Vocal score 9780193531123
Digital 9780193531130
See the light sets a text by the composer inspired by
the Hawaiian story ‘The Bowl of Light’. With its uplifting
melodies and energetic rhythms, this accessible piece
explores the light in each person and creates a sense of
community.
4 minutes
Sing, my child
SATB or SSAA and hand drum
SATB Vocal score 9780193517912
SATB Digital 9780193537415
SSAA Vocal score 9780193530249
SSAA Digital 9780193538948
Sing, my child sets a joyful text celebrating the beauty
found all around us. Tight harmonies and a dynamic
percussion line drive the opening 7/8 metre. Lush
harmonies colour the hymn-like B section. This piece is
well-suited for combined choir projects or as a rousing
and meaningful close to a concert.
4.5 minutes
Sister Song
SSA and piano
Vocal score 9780193392342
Digital 9780193536661
This is a gentle setting of an optimistic text about joy
and hope and the expression of these through song.
Sister Song features delicate piano ostinatos, persuasive
melodies, close harmonies, and contrasts between
unison and imitative writing.
4.5 minutes
Songbird
SSA unaccompanied
Vocal score 9780193392304
Digital 9780193525016
Songbird sets an evocative text describing songbirds
that spin tunes of gold. The catchy, colourful
melody is first presented by tutti voices, and is then
woven through the vocal parts, often to wordless
accompaniment. The setting ends with an effective
passage of close imitation.
2.5 minutes
Swept Away
SSATBarB unaccompanied
There alway something sings
SATB or Two-part (or unison) and piano
SATB Vocal score 9780193543836
SATB Digital 9780193543843
Two-part Vocal score 9780193543812
Two-part Vocal score 9780193543829
This beautiful setting of a text by Ralph Waldo Emerson
celebrates the universal presence of song, which
can be found in places of beauty but also darkness.
With memorable melodies and a flowing supportive
accompaniment, this piece will leave a warm feeling in
both the singers and listeners alike.
3 minutes
This we know
SSA and piano
Vocal score 9780193527591
Digital 9780193530522
Setting a moving text inspired by Chief Seattle, Quartel
appeals for better stewardship of the planet through
gentle flowing lines and expansive textures. The melodies
are accessible throughout and well supported by the piano
accompaniment, while the swells and falls in dynamics
offer a sense of organicity.
3 minutes
Voice on the Wind
SSAA or SATB and hand drum
SSAA Vocal score 9780193410138
SSAA Digital 9780193525146
SATB Vocal score 9780193525870
SATB Digital 9780193538672
Voice on the Wind sets an inspiring text, written by the
composer, about the empowerment of singing. With a
catchy melody, imitative wordless singing, and a driving
hand drum accompaniment, this piece has all the
hallmarks of Quartel’s innovative style.
4 minutes
Wide Open Spaces
SATB or TTBB or SSAA and piano
SATB Vocal score 9780193404830
SATB Digital 9780193525085
TTBB Vocal score 9780193413399
TTBB Digital 9780193536814
SSAA Vocal score 9780193550964
SSAA Digital 9780193550971
Commissioned for the 2015 National Conference of
the American Choral Directors Association, Wide Open
Spaces reflects on the journeys and adventures to be
found in the wide open spaces within ourselves and in
the world around us.
3 minutes
A Winter Day
SSAA, piano, & cello
Vocal score 9780193550735
Digital 9780193550742
Cello Part 9780193517806
This bright, sparkling celebration of nature is inspired
by the snowy and icy winters of the composer’s native
Canada. The text, by Lucy Maud Montgomery, is
brought to life through vibrant melodies, a rippling
piano part, and a rich, poignant line for solo cello.
This piece was originally published in a version for SATB,
solo cello, and piano as part of the five-movement work
A Winter Day.
3 minutes
Choral Leaflets/Octavos Secular
Vocal score 9780193531789
Digital 9780193531796
Setting words by the composer, Swept Away is a beautiful
and haunting piece with pop-inspired rhythms and
harmonies. The scat syllables of the insistent lower parts
are combined with a flowing melody in the soprano line
to create a powerful work exploring the journey of the
singers and the ability of the wind to carry them to their
destination.
4 minutes
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