These three songs, written for school choir, reflect the strong and beautiful images created by the New Zealand poets Apirana Taylor and James K. Baxter.
Opus No : 117
Category : Choir accompanied
Year : 2005
Duration : 9 minutes
Texts: Poems by Apirana Taylor & James K.Baxter
Commisioned by: Rangi Ruru Girls' School
Instrumentation: female voices, horn, piano
Level :
2 - for proficient amateur musicians
Available from
the composer
These songs were commissioned by Rangi Ruru Girls' School, Christchurch, in 2005 for the tour by the Senior Chorale, 'Resolutions', to Italy in April 2006. They are designed to be sung either individually or in different groupings. If all three are performed together, the composer recommends the following order:
1. the heavenly miracle (poem by Apirana Taylor) . . 3:10
2. High Country Weather (poem by James K. Baxter) . . 2.40 (unaccompanied)
3. a great seamstress (poem by Apirana Taylor) . . . 2.45
These songs have parts for sopranos 1 and 2, and altos 1 and 2. The heavenly miracle and a great seamstress include parts for piano and horn in F, while High Country Weather is for unaccompanied choir. The pianist should play from the full score, while there is a separate part for horn, transposed in F. The composer is willing to consider alternatives to the horn, such as viola, cello or clarinet. Contact the composer directly for more information on this option.
All three songs reflect the strong and beautiful images created by the New Zealand poets Apirana Taylor and James K. Baxter.