Do you have a someday list of repertoire? I don’t keep as long a list as many conductors I know – most of the time my repertoire choices comes as a response to the needs directly in front of my ensemble, and what I think will be most effective in teaching musical skills, exposing singers to new music, and making sure that both choir and audience have an enjoyable musical experience.
That said, I occasionally file a piece away, waiting for the right time. Here are three on my list.
Simple Gifts, Arr. Stephen Caracciolo. This newer TTBB a cappella setting of the Shaker Hymn thrills me with lovely reharmonization. I’m waiting for the right ensemble to be able to program it.
Fool On The Hill, Arr. Gene Puerling. Honestly, there are a number of pieces I could select from Puerling’s wide oeuvre, particularly from the the “A Capella” albums he recorded with The Singers Unlimited. But Fool On The Hill stands as a towering example of his brilliance.
4’33” by John Cage. The possibility of giving this a serious, committed performance thrills me. But there are few concert situations where I can commit to nearly five minutes of quiet and deprive my singers of the chance to sing. And then, once you find the venue to perform it, you have to educate the audience before you start – particularly if it will be a high school-age audience, apt to giggle at the formalized silence.
Despite all that, I hold out hope!