Apfelstadt/Davis - Choral Repertoire by Women Composers

In recent years, the choral profession has become especially mindful of recognizing a broad spectrum of composers, but scholarly materials have not kept pace. In fact, a survey of the available academic writings on choral music reveals a startling lack of information about women composers.

Choral Repertoire by Women Composers addresses this gap by highlighting the lives and music of more than 200 women choral composers spanning different time periods and geographic locations. Their choral works—expressive, compelling, and innovative—represent a diversity of styles and are suitable for choirs of varied ages and experience. Nearly 2,000 unique works are listed in this edition.

Though impossible to include every deserving composer and piece, this timely volume covers considerable ground, spotlighting the important contributions women composers have made to choral music throughout history and across the world.

Hilary Apfelstadt is a choral conductor whose experience ranges from teaching public school to university students, and working with community and church choirs. She is a published author with particular interest in choral pedagogy, music for treble voices, and Canadian repertoire. Retired from the University of Toronto, she is a past national president of the American Choral Directors Association.

Alan Davis is a conductor, music educator, and voice teacher who has taught in public high schools in Oregon, Colorado, and California. He recently completed the DMA degree in choral conducting at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and holds additional degrees in choral conducting and music education. His research interests include choral intonation, vocal pedagogy, and choral repertoire by women composers.

The book’s 56 contributing authors are choral scholars and music educators who work with singers of all ages. Some are composers themselves.

Choral Repertoire by Women Composers is a timely and valuable resource for all choral musicians who wish to expand their knowledge of historical and contemporary women composers from around the world. Biographical information and a list of selected choral works with durations, publisher information, and various voicings are provided for each composer, giving readers new repertoire ideas to enhance their concert programs.

—Edie Copley
    Professor Emerita, Northern Arizona University
    National Vice President, ACDA

I am pleased to offer my enthusiastic support for Choral Repertoire by Women Composers, an invaluable contribution to the choral world. This book highlights the incredible diversity and depth of works by female composers, offering a wealth of artistically compelling music suggestions essential for modern choral programs. This book will likely become a vital resource that will inspire conductors and performers and enrich the choral repertoire for future decades.

—Jo-Michael Scheibe
    Professor Emeritus, University of Southern California
    Jo-Michael Scheibe Choral Series Editor, Walton Music
    Past National President, ACDA

This is a long-awaited and very welcome resource for conductors and educators. Concise essays with background information, words directly from the living composers, and other pertinent information—including representative works, voicing, duration, and publishers—make this book a quick and easy reference for anyone looking to explore and program works by women composers from around the world. A must-have book for every choral musician!

—Pearl Shangkuan
    Chorus Director, Grand Rapids Symphony
    Editor, Hinshaw Music
    National President-elect, ACDA
    Professor Emerita of Music, Calvin University

This remarkable book on women composers fills a significant gap in music history literature. It features insightful essays, a curated list of representative choral works, and a bibliography. Whether conducting research or seeking to diversify your repertoire with works by women composers, Choral Repertoire by Women Composers is an indispensable resource.

—André J. Thomas
    Professor Emeritus, Florida State University
    Composer
    Associate Artist, London Symphony Orchestra
    Past National President, ACDA