david e poole

-David E. Poole-

MUSIC FOR MEN'S VOICES

The majority of these pieces were written for the 13-voice ensemble de Profundis.  Most are a cappella.  A few are what I might consider difficult, but otherwise they are doable by pretty much any community, college, or better high school group.

   A la Puerta del Cielo (At the Gate of Heaven) for TTB a cappella.

This is an enchanting folksong from northern New Mexico with a whimsical text.  The arrangement is easily learned and the short text presented alternately in Spanish and English .

$1.50 per copy   View the score    Listen

  Arglydd Arwain (Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah) for TTBB a cappella.

What more can be said about this great, quintessential Welsh tune?  Lots of variety with the tune shared among the parts.  Both Welsh and English singing versions.

$1.50 per copy    View the score     Listen               

  As I went Down in the River to Pray for TTBB a capella.

This is the great southern folk hymn brought back to our consciousness by the soundtrack of O Brother, Where Art Thou.  The arrangement starts with solo baritone and builds from there as the call goes out and the crowd builds.  Also in SATB.

$1.50 per copy      View the score     Listen    

                  

  Bound for Canaan for TTBB a cappella.

A modal melody from the Sacred Harp.  Driving, intense, with lots of independence in the individual parts.

$1.50 per copy      View the score    Listen

 

  Brightly Beameth the Star for TTBB a cappella.

A rollicking Shaker carol good for variety on a holiday program.

$1.50 per copy      View the score   Listen

                    

  Brown Girl in the Ring for TTBB a cappella.

Arrangement of a children’s circle song from Guyana.  Very infectious melody.  Add your own percussion.

$1.50 per copy     View the score   Listen

  A Carol for Samhain for TTBB a cappella.

A short, hushed setting of an anonymous poem invoking the spirits associated with the Druidic festival of Samhain.  Something very different for your holiday program!

$1.50 per copy     View the score    Listen   

                    

  Come Let Us Hail this Blissful Day for TTBB a cappella.

An arrangement of a 19th century carol by a Shaker elder expressing the bold, fresh theology of that tradition.

$1.50 per copy     View the score    Listen   

               

  Counsels of Bahá'u'lláh for TTBB a cappella.

Original settings of 5 short texts from the Persian founder and principle prophet of the Baha'i faith.

$2.50 per copy 

     KNOW THOU THIS        View the score    Listen        

     VEILED IN MY IMMEMORIAL BEING     View the score   Listen       

     EVEN AS THE SWIFTNESS OF LIGHTNING   View the score

   Listen   

     BLIND THINE EYES    View the score  Listen       

     UPON THE TREE OF EFFULGENT GLORY    View the score   

Listen   

    

  Daremos Gracias Con Fe for TBB with piano and baritone solo

A song of thanksgiving addressed to the holy family.  The text is a Penitente prayer from The Alabados of New Mexico, edited by Thomas J. Steele, S.J.  A good choice for the developing men's ensemble.

$1.50 per copy   View the score     Listen

 

 

  The Greenland Whale Fishery for TTBB and Tenor solo a cappella.

An old British American whaling ballad of a tale that begins boldly and confidently and ends in tragedy.

Published by Alfred, Lawson Gould Cat. # 52929    Listen 

  Harvest of Heaven: Songs, Hymns and Chants of the Canterbury Shakers for TTBB, flute and tambourine.

The hymns taken from the 1902 Hymnal of the Canterbury Shakers, here is a suite of lovely American tunes ranging from the robust to the breathlessly ethereal, the whole woven together by a solo flute.  Also in SATB.

$2.50 per copy   View the score     Listen 

  Hey the Gift for TTBB voices and bodrhan

            Something really different for the holiday concert.  The text from the Carmina Gadelica envisions Christ as the offspring of all creation.  Original music mirrors the message with a rangy, rollicking setting. 

$1.50 per copy     View the score       Listen      

  Hold On!  For TTBB voices and baritone soloist a cappella.

            A great African American spiritual of courage and resolve, arranged with swing and snap!

$1.50 per copy        View the score       Listen

  The Hundred Pipers for TTBB, baritone solo and harp or piano.

An old Scottish ballad recounting events of the “Forty-five [1745] Rebellion” led by Bonnie Prince Charlie.  The tune itself is probably much older.  In any case, this is a great tear-jerker.  In addition to telling the story, there is a section where the chorus imitates bagpipes.

$1.50 per copy      View the score    Listen

  La Llorona for TTBB a cappella.

The legend of La Llorona, the beautiful but ghostly enchantress who wanders the night, weeping for her pat transgressions, is found in various forms throughout the Latin American diaspora.  The wistful, haunting folksong upon which this arrangement is based comes from the Tehuantepec region of the state of Oaxaca, Mexico. The text is in Spanish only, though a translation is provided.     

$1.50 per copy   View the score    Listen

  O the Blessed Revelation for TTBB a cappella.

Here’s a haunting Shaker carol to add to your mens’ holiday repertoire.  Striking imagery and the unique poignancy of the Shaker melody.

$1.50 per copy     View the score    Listen 

 

  Pastorcitos del Monte, Venid for TTBB and flute

A sense of reverent joy characterizes this lovely, inviting Spanish carol, calling the shepherds down from the mountains to visit the Christ child in Bethlehem.  Text in Spanish only. 

$1.50 per copy     View the score     Hear a recording

  The Rising of the Lark for tenor and bass (duet) with harp or keyboard.

Building on the traditional Welsh tune and text, I have altered and added some material to make this into an Easter piece.  Easily learned, good for younger singers.

$1.00 per copy        View the score

  The Seven Joys of Mary for TTBB a cappella with baritone solo.

Arrangement of a rollicking traditional Celtic carol.

Published by Colla Voce Music # 15-95730  View the score  Listen

  Se Iluminó Aquel Portal for TTBB a cappella.

A setting of a beautiful nativity text focusing on the intimacy of the event as well as its cosmic implications.  Taken from a collection of Penitente songs titled The Alabados of New Mexico, edited by Thomas J. Steele, S.J.  Chant-like sections alternate with stanzas in warm, four-part harmony.

$1.50 per copy  View the score   Listen

  Song of the Shepherd for TTB and hammered dulcimer.

A folksong from the mountainous Kazak region of China.

$1.50 per copy    View the score   Hear a recording  

  Three Prayers from the Carmina Gadelica for TTBB a cappella.

Original settings of three divergent texts from the rich collection, Carmina Gadelica, of poems and prayers from the Outer Hebrides off the coast of Scotland. Challenging.  Says Alice Parker of this set, "I am impressed by the simplicity and strength of David Poole's settings.  He has a deep understanding of the texts, and an unerring instinct for male chorus sonorities."

$2.50 per copy 

          NIGHT PRAYER            View the score        Listen                 

          JOURNEY BLESSING   View the score        Listen

          DEATH DIRGE             View the score         Listen  

  Tingalayo for TTBB a cappella.

A great children’s song from the Carribean.  Good for younger voices or for stodgy old guys who can still kick their shoes off.

$1.50 per copy  View the score  Listen  

  Two African Freedom Songs for TTBB a cappella.

Two of the better-known freedom songs to emerge from South Africa.  Intuitive arrangements that are easily memorized, allowing for the addition of dance or other movement.  English words only.

$1.50 per copy       View the score

 

  When the Lord Says 'Come' for TTBB and baritone solo a cappella.

A little-known spiritual from the mountains of Virginia full of apocalyptic imagery and heavenly harmonies.

Published by Alfred (Lawson Gould cat. #52873)   Listen