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Monthly Archives: August 2020
ULURU SUITE for Orchestra and Chorus
I Rod Christian, composer of the composition ULURU SUITE for ORCHESTRA and CHORUS, acknowledge the Anangu people, Traditional Custodians of this sacred land titled Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, their language Pitjantatjara and their culture and pay my respects to their Elders past and present.
In this composition, ULURU SUITE for Orchestra and Chorus, I have tried to encompass the early beginnings of ULURU through to the present day, the spectacular sunrises and sunsets, the bird and animal life there, the spiritual connections, the sometimes relentless harshness of the heat, the storms and remoteness of the area.
Above all, I have paid tribute to the beauty and the spirit of this sacred place where the Indigenous Anangu people traversed the song lines of their land and settled here some 20,000 years or more ago. The choral section relates this story and talks about the language, the legends and the meanings of the Anangu language.The orchestral prelude depicts the beginnings of time when Uluru was first formed, the sunrise, the bird life and the call of the spirits.
First conceived from early December 2014 as a choral work for SSA voices and piano.
In December 2016 I composed the Prelude to the choral work for full orchestra and the choral section. I used Logic X and East West Symphonic Orchestra and featured is Chelsea J Gibson on vocals. Joining her is Justin Freind Tenor and Perry Joyce, Bass.
In 2018 I completed the Second Movement to this work. This is an Andante piece and represents Kata Tjuta, the National Park where Uluru is situated.
In 2019 I began work on the Finale which sums up the beauty and at the same time the harshness of this beautiful landscape, sacred to the Indigenous Anangu people of this area.
I am currently working with the Australian Government, Uluru Lands Council and the Elders of the Anangu to obtain permission to perform this work in the future.
RODMUSIC PUBLISHING
NEW SONGS
SIGNS featuring James Flynn Vocals
LYRICS
SIGNS copyright Rod Christian 2000
Featuring James Flynn
- Verse 1:
Just when I thought we’d got it together
Just when it seemed we’d sorted it out
I didn’t stop to listen to reason we could have made a new start
Verse 2:
Just when I thought we’d reached an understanding
Just when I hoped that things would be fine
You couldn’t say just what you were feeling
I didn’t read the signs.
CHORUS:
What was going on in my mind?
I didn’t read between the lines
And I just can’t bear the thought
Of losing you
Baby, I still feel for you
Didn’t read the signs.
Verse 3:
Just when I thought that we’d both see reason
Just when I hoped we’d talked it all through
I didn’t stop to try to understand your feelings I didn’t listen to you
Verse 4:
Just when I thought we’d made a commitment
Just when we planned our life from now on
I didn’t listen to what you were saying
I didn’t read the signs
CHORUS
Interlude
Verse 5:
Just when I thought we’d got it together just when I hoped that this wouldn’t end
You’ll go your way and I’ll go mine please keep in touch can we still be friends?
Now the thought of you just makes me want to hold you
It seems so cruel that our love simply fell apart
We’ve been together so long
But I didn’t stop to listen
I’m truly sorry and it’s breaking my heart…….
Didn’t read the signs
Didn’t read the signs
ANOTHER CHAPTER,ANOTHER PAGE
Copyright Rod Christian 2017
This is a duet. It is written as a wedding song.
LYRICS:
BOY
THIS IS OUR MOMENT
THIS IS OUR SONG
THIS IS OUR STORY
THIS IS WHERE WE BELONG
IT’S ANOTHER CHAPTER
OUR VERY SPECIAL PAGE
IN OUR EVERLASTING STORY
WE’RE ACTORS ON A STAGE
GIRL
YOU ARE MY STORY
YOU ARE MY BOOK
THIS THE FINAL CHAPTER
JUST ONE LOOK
THIS OUR PRECIOUS MOMENT
I JUST WANT TO SAY
OUR LIVES HAVE JUST BEGUN
ON THIS OUR SPECIAL DAY.
CHORUS: BOY/GIRL
ANOTHER SEASON
ANOTHER YEAR GOES BY
BUT TIME STANDS STILL
WHEN I LOOK INTO YOUR EYES
THIS MAGIC MOMENT
OUR LIVES HAVE JUST BEGUN
ANOTHER CHAPTER
TODAY WE ARE ONE
BOY
THIS IS WHAT I DREAMED OF
TO HEAR YOU SAY “I DO!”
THIS IS WHAT I’VE LONGED FOR
TO SPEND MY LIFE WITH YOU
BOY/GIRL
THIS ANOTHER CHAPTER
THIS ANOTHER PAGE
IN OUR EVERLASTING STORY
ON THIS OUR WEDDING DAY.
CHORUS:
ANOTHER SEASON
ANOTHER YEAR GOES BY
BUT TIME STANDS STILL
WHEN I LOOK INTO YOUR EYES
THIS MAGIC MOMENT
OUR LIVES HAVE JUST BEGUN
ANOTHER CHAPTER
TODAY WE ARE ONE
WE ARE ONE
ANOTHER CHAPTER
WE ARE ONE
This is my new publishing company where clients can access my original compositions in sheet music form online. They can also listen to and purchase my original music composed for theatre, television, film or documentaries, advertising jingles, original contemporary music tracks and virtual soundtracks for a variety of soundtracks and projects. A wide variety of choral music and songs for schools will be a feature of this site. I also can represent client’s music and publish and promote their works if necessary.
Rodmusic Publishing will handle and distribute sheet music and production music through Rodmusic Productions. Here you will be able to access my catalogue of original songs and arrangements for a variety of musical genres. These will include choral music for different voice combinations, all of my sheet music from my stage musicals, band arrangements of my songs and various ensemble music that I have composed. You can also access large orchestral works such as Uluru Suite and other film scores and incidental music I have arranged and recorded.
Keep a lookout here for entries to my catalogue on this page. Prices and availability will be regularly updated.
CHORAL MUSIC
These are samples of my choral publications and some links to the videos or sound files.
Song for WESTERN AUSTRALIA
This song is very popular in schools and colleges and is performed at assemblies and particularly during WA Week in the first week of June.
Mt Pleasant Primary School Choir performs Song for Western Australia under the Direction of Ms Jenny Coleman.
Rod Christian directs his Virtual Choir during Covid 19 Pandemic in June 2020.
Courtney Murphy sings Song for Western Australia in a promo video here:
LYRICS:
WESTERN AUSTRALIA Lyrics
Copyright 2007 Rod Christian.docx
WESTERN AUSTRALIA Copyright 2005 Rod Christian
Uluru Suite for Orchestra and Chorus
This new work was started on 12 December 2016 and completed on 8 September 2020. I have re-written movement 1 to include full orchestra and SSATB Chorus. The second and third movements feature an SSA Chorus but the third movement or Finale introduces the SSATB Chorus in the finale section. This work depicts Uluru from its early beginnings. The Anangu people unique to this vast area in Central Australia summon the spirits along the Songlines many thousands of years ago. We then hear the orchestra change key to reveal the spectacular sunrise over Uluru, the often harsh conditions during the day, the bird life, the thunder, lighting and rain, the creatures and legends but, above all the tranquility and peaceful ness of this Sacred place in Australia.
The Second movement pays tribute to Kata Tjuta, the area in which Uluru is situated, the tranquillity and beauty, the sunsets and bird life.
The Third and final movement sums up the sentiment expressed in the opening movement and ends with the words sung by full choir, “Uluru, Tjukuritja – the Ancestral beings, Crossing the landscape to follow their dreams. Uluru.”
The vocal performance features Chelsea J Gibson, Soprano and Alto parts, Perry Joyce Tenor/ Baritone/ Bass and Justin Freind, Tenor.A All orchestra parts were performed by Rod Christian using East West Symphonic Orchestra on Logic X Pro.
You can also purchase a copy of this work by filling in the contact form on this website.
OH SUSANNAH!
OH SUSANNAH, a traditional song composed by Stephen Foster in 1840 is a song that lends itself to choral part singing. I arranged this in a jazz style as I have a real interest in unusual chords and the jazz genre.
The setting is for five parts, Soprano 1 & 2 with splits; Alto 1 and Alto 2. There is also an SATB setting of the song. The two arrangements are available here.
Review: This stunning treatment of the 1848 Stephen Foster classic was crafted by one of Western Australia’s most talented composers and arrangers of choral music. Featuring tight jazz influenced chords and interesting harmonies, Christian achieves an uplifting, reflective, almost spiritual sound. The arrangement contains an optional piano part and is available for treble SSAA or mixed SATB choirs.
Click here to hear OH SUSANNA performed by the Iona Presentation College Chorale.
Audio File OH SUSANNAH! SSAA
Sheet Music sample pages 1 -2.
Contact me on the contact page to find out how to order your music or to discuss any music questions.
AUSTRALIAN ANTHEM FOR UNITY
Australian Anthem for Unity is a special song – one that represents our unique culture with all of our diverse backgrounds.In writing Anthem for Unity, I set out to show that we are all members of society. We need to strive as one voice to live in peace and harmony. The song asks for reconciliation amongst the turmoil we are experiencing in today’s world.
Versatility is an important feature of this anthem. It is available in either S.A.T.B format or S.S.A.A.format. This should cater for the vast majority of school and community choral groups.
There is also Piano/Guitar vocal sheet music available for the song.The chord symbols chords are visible above the piano line.
This version of the song was recorded in 2001 by Nicole Wheatley and the Born to Sing SATB Choir. The solo vocal line can also be shared with a male vocalist. The backing track and arrangement with the drums bass keyboards guitar and strings are available on request.
Listen to and view the Rejoyce Choir singing Australian Anthem for Unity in SATB style under the direction of Perry Joyce and accompanied by Rod Christian at UWA Perth 2012
Links to Youtube here:
THANK GOD ITS FRIDAY
This is a very popular song composed in 2016 and featuring the Haze Showband from Perth Western Australia. Rod sings the lead vocal backed up by drummer Nigel Ridgway, Sax/Trumpet?Guitar and vocals, Bazz Clarke and Robbie Jones, Lead Guitar and vocals.
The song is available on Spotify and SoundCloud
Check out the video here:
LYRICS:
