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Chairperson:
Lon Beery
Dr. Lon Beery teaches vocal music at Spry Middle School in Webster, NY.
He has also composed or arranged over 75 choral pieces, many written especially
for choruses with adolescent voices.
Lbeery@hotmail.com
Lon Beery, 263 Vollmer Parkway, Henrietta, NY 14623, 585-520-6949
On this page:
Middle School Mixed Choruses
Unison | Canons
| Two-Part Treble |
Multiple Melodies | "Fixable"
Three-Part Mixed
Three-Part Mixed (with optional baritone)
| Three-Part Mixed / SATB (top parts the same)
SATB (performable without baritone) |
SATB (limited range)
Music for Men in the Middle
2-part music for younger middle school
choruses | 3-part music for younger middle
school choruses
Pieces for 7-8 Grade Male Ensembles |
7-9th Grade Boy's Choruses |
8-9th Grade Boy's Choruses
Two-Part Pieces for 6-8 Grade Men's Ensembles |
Three-Part Pieces for 6-8 Grade Men's Ensembles
Concert Pieces for 6-12 Grade Men's Ensembles
| Pop Pieces for 6-12 Grade Men's Ensembles
Barbershop Pieces for 6-12 Grade Men's Ensembles
Unison
I do not recommend unison pieces for middle school mixed choruses. These generally require a common octave (doubled an octave below) which is not realistic with all the possible voice ranges generally present in such ensembles.
Canons
Since canons are unison melodies sung in imitation, these are likewise
generally inappropriate for mixed choruses at the middle school age. The
following canon utilizes a narrow range (fifth) imitated at the fourth below.
It is the only canon I recommend for middle school, and I recommend it heartily.
Either version works, but the Leavitt ending is perhaps more satisfying
for mixed choruses. (Consider doubling with strings!)
| 1 | Da Pacem Domine | Melchior Franck, arr. John Leavitt | Hal Leonard 08596724 |
| 2 | Da Pacem Domine | Melchior Franck, arr. Mary Goetze | Boosey & Hawkes Oct. 6187 |
Two-Part Treble
When looking for 2-pt pieces for mixed choruses, look for those which are contrapuntally conceived. Harmonically arranged pieces sound too muddy sung in octaves.
Multiple Melodies
Multiple melody pieces are ideal for younger, less experienced middle
school choruses. To be useful, the ranges of each of the melodies must be
different. This allows for boys in various stages to be assigned to a specific
melody at an appropriate octave. These sound difficult to the audience,
but are actually easy to perform. A great way to build confidence!
"Fixable" Three-Part Mixed
Although still popular with many middle school groups, three-part
mixed voicing requires range compromises that I find often discourages young
baritones. I often have to write in optional baritone notes. The following
pieces have natural baritone parts just waiting to be sung! Look at the
piano left hand, and you find a very singable baritone part.
Three-Part Mixed (with optional baritone)
The addition of a limited baritone part makes these more appropriate
for middle school choruses. These may be performed with or without the additional,
lower baritone part. Depending on the year, or the ensemble, you can tailor
these pieces to make them work! These are also great for combining with
high school ensembles for recruitment purposes.
Three-Part Mixed / SATB (top parts the same)
When a piece is released in both 3-part mixed and SATB, I look at
both versions. Sometimes the only difference is that the SATB has a baritone
part. If this is the case, this is really a "3-part mixed with optional
baritone" voicing. I would buy the SATB version, and ignore the baritone
if I didn't have any that particular year.
| 1 | This Little Light of Mine | Spiritual, arr. Neil Johnson | Hal Leonard 08551263 |
| 2 | Twelve Gates | Spiritual, arr. Lon Beery, gospel style arrangement | Alfred 27288 |
SATB (performable without baritone)
Some SATB pieces can be performed without the baritone part. If the
upper ranges are like those found in 3-pt mixed, these are actually "3-part
mixed with optional baritone" voicing.
SATB (limited range)
As soon as there are enough guys to hold a baritone part, I believe
we ought to move to SATB pieces, but those with appropriate middle school
ranges.
| 1 | Adorable Flujo | Paul,Bassler, | Walton HL08501421 |
| 2 | Adoramus Te | Jacques Clement (non Papa), ed. John Leavitt | Hal Leonard 08596728 |
| 3 | Adoramus Te | Quirino Gasparini, ed. Rod Walker | Alliance AMP 0274 |
| 4 | Adoramus Te | Palestrina, ed. Frank Damrosh | G. Schirmer 6091 |
| 5 | All Ye Who Music Love | Baldassare Donato, ed. Victoria Meredith | Kjos 8745 |
| 6 | Alle, Alle, Alle | Jamaican Folk Song, arr. Will Schmid | Hal Leonard 08745781 |
| 7 | Alleluia! Sing Praise (from Cantata No. 142) | J. S. Bach, ed. Charles Hirt | Carl Fischer CM7140 |
| 8 | Alone | Jonathan Adams | Alliance AMP0342 |
| 9 | American Folk Rhapsody | Linda Spevacek | Heritage 15/1205H |
| 10 | Ave Maria | Jacob Arcadelt, ed. John Leavitt | Shawnee Press A-2089 |
| 11 | Ave verum Corpus | W. A. Mozart | Thorpe Music No. 392-03082 |
| 12 | Back of the Bus | Civil Rights Song, arr. Gene Glickman | Lawson-Gould 52945 |
| 13 | Baloo Baleerie | Scottish Lullaby, arr. Suary McIntosh | Alliance AMP 0337 |
| 14 | Benedictus | Brian Lewis | Alfred 23084 |
| 15 | Bidi Bom | David Eddleman | Carl Fischer CM8799 |
| 16 | Belle Qui Tiens Ma Vie | Thoinot Arbeau, ed. Stephen Curtis | National NMP-233 |
| 17 | Bonse Aba | Traditional Zambian Song, arr. Andrew Fischer | Alliance AMP 0626 |
| 18 | Buffalo Gals | arr. Lon Beery | BriLee BL254 |
| 19 | Cantate Domino | Giuseppe Pitoni, ed. John Leavitt | Shawnee Press A-2067 |
| 20 | Cantate Domino | Sonja Poorman | BriLee BL200 |
| 21 | Cheres Fleurs | Jules Massenet, ed. Richard Bloesch | Alliance AMP 0285 |
| 22 | City Called Heaven | Gospel Song, arr. Josephine Poelinitz | Colla Voce 21-20105 |
| 23 | Coming in the Fall | Jonathan Adams, text by Emily Dickinson | Alliance AMP0420 |
| 24 | Cordero de Dios | Michael Mendoza | Alliance AMP 0372 |
| 25 | Der Tanz (The Dance) | Franz Schubert, ed. John Leavitt | Hal Leonard 08596739 |
| 26 | Der Tanz | Franz Schubert, ed. Ray Robinson | Hinshaw HMC 247 |
| 27 | Durmer, Durme | Ladino Lullaby, arr. Daviod Eddleman | Carl Fischer CM8887 |
| 28 | Ehre Sei Gott In Der Hohe | F. Silcher, ed. Jim Leininger | Alliance AMP 0733 |
| 29 | Eliyahu Hanavi | Trad. Jewish Passover Melody, arr. Meegan Coleman | Carl Fischer CM9063 |
| 30 | Fa Una Canzone | Orazio Vecchi, arr. Norman Greyson | Bourne 117066 |
| 31 | Farewell, My Love (Ic seg adieu) | Anonymous, ed. Charles Hirt | Carl Fischer CM 7041 |
| 32 | Fiddler of Dooney, The | Theron Kirk | Alliance AMP 0339 |
| 33 | Four German Folk Songs | Johannes Brahms | Hinshaw HMC-353 |
| 34 | Gabi, Gabi | arr. William Powell | Hal Leonard 08703250 |
| 35 | Galway Piper, The | Irish Folksong, arr. Joseph Martin | Shawnee Press A2092 |
| 36 | Giovani Lieti | W. A. Mozart, arr. Partick Liebergen | Alfred 23463 |
| 37 | Gloria | F. J. Haydn (from Mariazellermesse), ed. Patrick Liebergen | Warner Oct 02575 |
| 38 | Gloria | Mozart, arr. Patrick Liebergen | Shawnee Press A 2145 |
| 39 | Gloria | Sonja Poorman | BriLee BL264 |
| 40 | Gloria in Excelsis | Antonio Vivaldi, ed. Mason Martens | Walton W2043 |
| 41 | Gloria Patri | G. P. da Palestrina, arr. Norman Greyson | Bourne 046446 |
| 42 | Glory and Praise | Dietrich Buxtehude, ed. Patrick Liebergen | Hinshaw HMC1934 |
| 43 | Goin' Up to Glory | arr. Andre Thomas | Heritage 15/1228H |
| 44 | Going Over Home | Spirituals, arr. Sonja Poorman | BriLee BL334 |
| 45 | Good News | Spiritual, arr. Smith | Kjos 1005 |
| 46 | Hatikva | Hebrew, arr. John Leavitt | Hal Leonard 08703242 |
| 47 | Hold Me, Rock Me | Brian Tate | Pavane -1244 |
| 48 | Home on the Range | Traditional, arr. Mark Hayes | Hinshaw HMC791 |
| 49 | Hosanna! | Sonja Poorman | BriLee BL151 |
| 50 | I Behold Your Beauty (L'acceso") | G. G. Gastoldi, arr. Patrick Liebergen | Carl Fischer CM9084 |
| 51 | I'll Say It Anyway! (Je le vous dirait!) | Pierre Certon, ed. Charles Hirt | Hinshaw HMC-519 |
| 52 | In These Delightful Pleasant Groves | Henry Purcell, arr. Russell Robinson | Alfred 18603 |
| 53 | I'se the B'y | Newfoundland Folksong, arr. Robert Swift | Alfred DMC 08194 |
| 54 | It Don't Mean a Thing | Duke Ellington, arr. Mac Huff | Warner 6684IC1X |
| 55 | Je le vous dirai! | Pierre Certon, ed. John Leavitt | Hal Leonard 08596707 |
| 56 | Jesu Dulcis Memoria | Tomas Luis DaVittoria, ed. Dean Davids | Warner OCT 01759 |
| 57 | Keep Your Lamps! | Spiritual, arr. Andre Thomas | Hinshaw HMC-577 |
| 58 | Keep Your Lamps Trimmed and Burning | Spiritual, arr. Emily Crocker | Hal Leonard 08703154 |
| 59 | Kua Rongo Mai Koe | Ngapo Wehi, arr. Eddie Quaid | Alliance AMP 0350 |
| 60 | Kyrie (from "Missa Brevis Sancti Joannis de Deo") | Haydn, arr. Rentz | Shawnee Press A2279 |
| 61 | Kyrie | Mozart, ed. Christopher Johns | Warner SV9439 |
| 62 | Kyrie | Sonja Poorman | BriLee BL142 |
| 63 | Kyie | Sherri Porterfield | Alfred 7724 |
| 64 | Laudamus Te | Sonja Poorman | BriLee BL325 |
| 65 | Laudate Dominum | Sherri Perterfield | Alfred 11315 |
| 66 | Laudate Dominum Omnes Gentes | Vivaldi, arr. Hines | Lawson-Gould 52976 |
| 67 | Lift Up Your Voices | Handel, arr. Patrick Liebergen | Alfred 17653 |
| 68 | Lo Yissa Goy | Hebrew Folk Song, arr. Andy Beck | Alfred 27380 |
| 69 | Lord, Be Compassionate To Me | J. S. Bach, ed. Henry Kihlken | Tetra/Continua TC1149 |
| 70 | Lord Shall Come to Save Us, The | Dietrich Buxtehude, ed. Liebergen | Carl Fischer CM8368 |
| 71 | Lua, Lua, Lua | Esther Scliar, ed. D. R. Alonso, Jr. | earthsongs |
| 72 | Make Them Hear You | Flaherty, arr. Jeff Funk | Warner CH9851 |
| 73 | My Lord, What a Mornin' | Spiritual, arr. Carl Strommen | Warner SV9921 |
| 74 | Never Tell Thy Love | Houston Bright, text by William Blake | Associated/HL HL50228650 |
| 75 | N'kosi Sikelel' i Africa | E. M. Sontonga, arr. Audrey Snyder | Hal Leonard 08747119 |
| 76 | O bone Jesu | Palestrina, ed. Carl Deis | G. Schirmer/HL HL50304370 |
| 77 | O Eyes of My Beloved | Orlando di Lasso | E.C.S. 1146 |
| 78 | O How My Soul Hungers | G. F. Handel, ad. Roger Emerson | Hal Leonard 40326011 |
| 79 | O Sing Unto the Lord | H. L. Hassler, ad. Virgil Thomson | E.C.S. No. 1262 |
| 80 | Oh Shenandoah | American Folk Song, arr. Ruth Elaine Schram | BriLee BL153 |
| 81 | Old Tante Fiena Snuifbek | South African, arr. Stuart McIntosh | Alliance AMP 0281 |
| 82 | Polly Wolly Doodle | arr. John Leavitt | Hal Leonard 08741473 |
| 83 | Praise the Lord | Cameroon Melody, arr. Ralph Johnson | earthsongs |
| 84 | Promised Land | from Sacred Harp, arr. Michael Richardson | Mark Foster MF0255 |
| 85 | Psalite | Michael Praetorius, ed. Fritz Rikko | Mercury 352-00139 |
| 86 | Ring Out Wild Bells | Jonathan Adams | Alliance AMP 0373 |
| 87 | Rise Up, Shepherd and Follow | Spiritual, arr. Jeff Funk | Warner SVM01059 |
| 88 | River Sleeps Beneath the Sky, The | Mary Lynn Lightfoot | Heritage 15/1506H |
| 89 | Sakura | Japanese, arr. Michael Scott | Warner SV9873 |
| 90 | Salmo 150 | Ernani Aguiar | earthsongs |
| 91 | Sanctus | Mozart, arr. Patrick Liebergen | Warner Oct 02592 |
| 92 | Sanctus (from Waisenhausmesse) | Mozart, arr. Patrick Lieberger | Warner Oct 9819 |
| 93 | Sanctus in d minor | J. S. Bach, ed. William Hunt | Alliance AMP 0361 |
| 94 | Santo | Michael Mendoza | Alliance AMP 0135 |
| 95 | Seasons of Love | Jonathan Larson, arr. Roger Emerson | Hal Leonard 08621074 |
| 96 | Sound of Pipe and Drum, The | Pierre Certon, arr. Linda Spevacek | Heritage 15/1559 |
| 97 | South African Trilogy, A | arr. Stephen Barnicle | Walton WW1166 |
| 98 | Sweetest Memory | Carmen Scialla | National NMP-240 |
| 99 | Tant Que Vivray | Claudin de Sermissy, ed. Stephen Curtis | National NMP-192 |
| 100 | Teenager in Love, A | Doc Pomus & Mort Shuman, arr Jay Althouse | Alfred 28468 |
| 101 | Three Madrigals | Emma Lou Diemer | Boosey & Hawkes 48003439 |
| 102 | Three Shakespeare Songs | Roger Quilter, arr. Linda Spevacek | Heritage 15/1484H |
| 103 | Thus Saith My Cloris Bright | John Wilbye ed. Paul Hendrickson | National CMS-132 |
| 104 | Tina Singu | African Folk Song, arr George Strid | Hal Leonard 08551697 |
| 105 | Try to Remember (from "The Fantastics") | Harvy Scmidt, arr. Jay Althouse | Alfred 27177 |
| 106 | Two Puccini Psalms [Domine ad Adjuvandum] | ed. Martin Banner | Alliance AMP 0282 |
| 107 | Uyai Mose | Alexander Gondo, arr. Roger Wesby | Lawson Gould 52838 |
| 108 | Voyagers | Jonathan Adams, text by Emily Dickinson | Alliance AMP 0312 |
| 109 | Wade in the Water | Spiritual, arr. J. B. Lyle | Cambiata Press S117570 |
| 110 | Wade in the Water | Spiritual, arr. Steven Porter | Phantom PPI 109 |
| 111 | Walking In Memphis | Marc Cohn, arr. Mark Brymer | Hal Leonard 08201844 |
| 112 | Water Is Wide, The | arr. Luigi Zaninelli | Shawnee Press A-616 |
| 113 | Waters Ripple and Flow | Czecho-Slovak Folk Song, arr. Jay Althouse | Alfred 22949 |
| 114 | Welcome Sweet Pleasures | Thomas Weelkes, arr. Crawford Thoburn | Warner SV9824 |
| 115 | When, My Son, A Wife You Seek | Ukranian Folk, arr. David Eddleman | Carl Fischer CM8525 |
| 116 | Why We Sing | Greg Gilpin | Shawnee Press A-2239 |
| 117 | Wiegenlied | Johannes Brahms, arr. Sherri Porterfield | Warner SV9824 |
| 118 | Windy Nights | Jonathan Adams, text by Robert Louis Stevenson | Alliance AMP 0313 |
| 119 | WinterSong | Vicki Tucker Courtney, text by John Parker | Alfred 27260 |
| 120 | Ya viene la vieja | Traditional Spanish, arr. Alice Parker & Robert Shaw | G. Schirmer 10200 |
| 121 | Younger Generation | Aaron Copland, arr. Frederick Swift, | B & H M-051-41723-0 |
Pieces for Younger Middle School Male Ensembles
Two-part music for younger middle school choruses
Three-part music for younger middle school choruses
Pieces for 7-8 Grade Male Ensembles
| 1 | American Folk Rhapsody | American Folk Song, arr. Linda Spevacek | TB Heritage 15/1779H |
| 2 | Charlottown | American Folk Song, arr. Sherri Porterfield | TB Heritage 15/1831H |
| 3 | Codfish Shanty | Traditional, arr. Vijay Singh | TB BriLee BL331 |
| 4 | Hand Me Down My Silver Trumpet | Spiritual, arr. Rae Moses | TB BriLee BL 279 |
| 5 | Jubilant Gloria, A | Mary Lynn Lightfoot | TB Heritage 15/1834H |
| 6 | Jubilate Deo | W. A. Mozart, arr. Linda Spevacek | Heritage 15/1589H-1 |
| 7 | Kyrie | Dan Krunnfusz | TB BriLee, BL338 |
| 8 | Now Let Me Fly | Spiritual, arr. Linda Spevacek | TB Heritage 15/1846H |
| 9 | Reuben Ranzo | Traditional Chantey, arr Vijay Singh | TB BriLee, BL171 |
| 10 | This Land is Your Land | WoodyGuthrie, arr. Donald Moore | TB, BriLee BL333 |
| 11 | What Do We Plant | Linda Spevacek | TB Heritage 15/1709H |
Pieces for 7-9 and 8-9 Grade Male Ensembles
7-9th Grade Boy's Choruses
8-9th Grade Boy's Choruses
Two-Part Pieces for 6-8 Grade Men's Ensembles
Three-Part Pieces for 6-8 Grade Men's Ensembles
Concert Pieces for 6-12 Grade Men's Ensembles
Pop Pieces for 6-12 Grade Men's Ensembles
Barbershop Pieces for 6-12 Grade Men's Ensembles
| 1 | Aura Lee | Fosdick and Poulton, arr. SPEBSQSA | TTBB SPEBSQSA #8621 |
| 2 | Darkness of the Delta (When It's) | Jerry Levison, arr. SPEBSQSA | TTBB Hal Leonard 7706 |
| 3 | In the Good Old Summertime | Shields and Evans, arr. SPEBSQSA | TTBB SPEBSQSA 8619 |
| 4 | My Wild Irish Rose | Olcott, arr. SPEBSQSA | TTBB SPEBSQSA #8618 |
| 5 | Take Me Out to the Ball Game | arr. SPEBSQSA | TTBB SPEBSQSA #8622 |
Last revised July 14, 2011