Choral Composition - by Robert Stephan Hines (Hardcover)

About the Book

This comprehensive handbook details the fundamentals and forms of choral composition and expands upon the coverage and number of topics in Archibald T. Davison's 1945 classic text Choral Composition. Historical trends in choral composition are traced with a special emphasis on the profusion of changes that occurred throughout the twentieth century, particularly since 1950. Early chapters focus on characteristics of voice, notation, text, devices, part writing, a cappella and instrumental accompaniments, and choral forms. Hines goes on to analyze the utilization of soloists and choruses with instrumental chamber ensembles, orchestra, and the role of the chorus in opera, operetta, musicals, and music theater. A final chapter addresses practical concerns: music publication and how the artist can function effectively in that world.

Book Synopsis

This comprehensive handbook details the fundamentals and forms of choral composition and expands upon the coverage and number of topics in Archibald T. Davison's 1945 classic text Choral Composition. Historical trends in choral composition are traced with a special emphasis on the profusion of changes that occurred throughout the twentieth century, particularly since 1950. Early chapters focus on characteristics of voice, notation, text, devices, part writing, a cappella and instrumental accompaniments, and choral forms. Hines goes on to analyze the utilization of soloists and choruses with instrumental chamber ensembles, orchestra, and the role of the chorus in opera, operetta, musicals, and music theater. A final chapter addresses practical concerns: music publication and how the artist can function effectively in that world.

Review Quotes

.,."this book fills a much-needed void in choral music, especially as a resource book for composition majors and composers...Hines has, in a most encyclopedic, expansive, and yet incredibly succinct way, succeeded marvelously, filling in previous gaps in history and compositional style."-Choral Review

?...this book fills a much-needed void in choral music, especially as a resource book for composition majors and composers...Hines has, in a most encyclopedic, expansive, and yet incredibly succinct way, succeeded marvelously, filling in previous gaps in history and compositional style.?-Choral Review

?This comprehensive handbook is highly recommended. It details the fundamentals and forms of choral composition and expands upon the coverage and number pf topics in Archibal T. Davison's 1945 classic text, Choral Conducting ...a must for serious choral people.?-The American Organist

"This comprehensive handbook is highly recommended. It details the fundamentals and forms of choral composition and expands upon the coverage and number pf topics in Archibal T. Davison's 1945 classic text, Choral Conducting ...a must for serious choral people."-The American Organist

..."this book fills a much-needed void in choral music, especially as a resource book for composition majors and composers...Hines has, in a most encyclopedic, expansive, and yet incredibly succinct way, succeeded marvelously, filling in previous gaps in history and compositional style."-Choral Review

About the Author

ROBERT STEPHAN HINES has authored or co-authored five books on twentieth-century choral and orchestral music, Singers' Liturgical Latin, and freshman and sophomore ear training. He has held teaching or administrative posts at Southern Illinois University, Wichita State University. and the University of Hawaii at Manoa. In Hawaii, he served as choral director, department chairman and a decade as dean of the College of Arts and Humanities.