John Kilpatrick's Choral Music

John Kilpatrick (Sheffield)about John Kilpatrick

 

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This page contains John Kilpatrick's choral compositions; all are in the public domain.
Items on this page may be freely downloaded, copied and performed, provided all copyright notices are preserved.

John Kilpatrick's music page

Music by John Kilpatrick with lyrics by Gelett Burgess, from The Burgess Nonsense Book (nonsense songs) The Burgess Nonsense Book was published in New York in 1901, and in London in 1914. It is now available again as a modern reprint, and online here. The original can sometimes be obtained through Abebooks (e.g. USA or UK); an alternative book to search for is "The Purple Cow and Other Nonsense" (Dover Publications). 
The complete Burgess Nonsense Book can also be read on-line at http://www.archive.org/details/burgessnonsenseb00burgrich
The Knave of Hearts   PDF       Midi
  Words     OVE 		   SATB with optional piano accompaniment, 2 minutes. The text is a clever poem by GB, based upon the card game of Euchre. Difficult in places.
"Right Bower", meaning "Knave of Trumps", may be an unfamiliar term. It has been dropped from the latest COD. (Bower = Bauer = Farmer or Peasant = Knave.)
The Purple Cow    PDF            Words
     Part 1  Midi       OVE 
     Part 2  Midi       OVE
     Part 3  Midi       OVE 		SATB div. with optional piano accompaniment.
Solos in Part 2: T = Narrator in G, B = Knight in F, A = Maid in Eb.
Difficult in places. About 6 minutes.
Part 1: Gelett Burgess's famous rhyme "I Never Saw a Purple Cow ..." (written in 1895) 
Part 2: GB's amusing poem in the style of Chaucer "The Purpil Cowe"
Part 3: GB's confession "Ah, yes, I wrote the Purple Cow ..."
Cuttings from a Nonsense Book
  (2014 edition) 		Vocal score     PDF (604KB, 32 pages)  
Full score        PDF (904KB, 44 pages) 
Set of parts     PDF  
User Guide     PDF (665KB)   DOC(4.2MB)
         Words (complete lyrics)  htm, no pictures
        MIDI files (separate page)

For Choir (SATB), Speaker, and Wind Quintet. Some solos from within the choir.
A 30 minute selection from the Burgess Nonsense Book, comprising 12-13 sections, which can be rehearsed separately as required. Some could be omitted if necessary. A version of The Purple Cow is included as one section.
The vocal score includes a piano reduction, which could enable a performance with piano rather than wind quintet, given a good musician who could make something of it. The Speaker works from the vocal score.
The "user guide" is designed to be included in a concert program: the pictures that go with each nonsense quatrain are of great value to the audience. 

John Kilpatrick's music page [top of page] 

Music by John Kilpatrick with lyrics by Edward Lear, from his Complete Nonsense Book (nonsense songs)
 There are several online scans of Edward Lear's nonsense book: a good one is perhaps http://www.archive.org/details/completenonsense01lear

The Jumblies

    PDF  (316KB)   Midi    MP3
                OVE      Words  		SATB div. with A solo & short T solo. About 7 minutes. Quite difficult. SSAATTBB
text: Edward Lear's poem "The Jumblies". 
A happy tale of endeavour and success, reflected in the musical setting.

The Dong

    PDF (297KB)   Midi  
            OVE     Words 		SATB div. with S, T & B solos. About 9 minutes. Quite difficult. SSAATTBB
text: Edward Lear's "The Dong with the Luminous Nose". 
The Dong is a deeper and darker piece than The Jumblies: a sad tale of loss, despair and madness, appropriately reflected in the music.

Jumblies Suite 
 (The Story of the Jumblies)
 (2014 edition)

Vocal Score   PDF (657KB, 54 pages)
Full Score      PDF (832KB, 118 pages)
   Instrument Parts in separate PDFs
   Overall scheme outline (htm)
   Libretto       PDF     DOC 		SATB (div. with soli), piano and wind ensemble; the latter comprising 3 x Bb clarinet, bass clarinet, 3 x trombone, French horn and percussion.
A 35 minute suite of 8 sections on words by Edward Lear, with narrative links by the composer. Versions of the above pieces The Jumblies and The Dong are included as two of the sections. One section  - "The Owl and the Pussy-Cat"  - must be separately sourced, either the version by Victor Hely-Hutchinson or that by Igor Stravinsky (or any other).
The piano is used to accompany the narrative sections sung by the tenor soloist; it is not used in the three choral numbers, but a reduction for use in rehearsal is included in the vocal score.

John Kilpatrick's music page [top of page] 

Music and words by John Kilpatrick
My Briefcase Unaccompanied/piano version
     PDF    Midi

     Libretto -    Words

 SATB div. with  tenor recitatives and a soprano solo. Unaccompanied or with piano assistance.
A few difficulties, here and there. About 10-15 minutes.

This work is based on a true story.
My briefcase was stolen, together with the music therein, and the piece describes the item and the immediate consequences of its loss, with several divergent textual and musical excursions. The piece is suitable for a light-hearted occasion, but has been performed in concerts and enjoyed by the audiences. Apart from being fun, there are some sections which I believe to be of musical merit: perhaps in particular the numbers Fugue and Music.
Wind quintet version (2008)
  - full score    PDF       Midi
  - vocal score PDF
  - wind parts  PDF 		SATB div. with wind quintet (flute, oboe, clarinet, horn, bassoon).
The wind quintet version has additional bars and a few other minor changes - summarised here.
Version with wind ensemble (2012)
  - full score    PDF  
   - score front & back cover  PDF
  - vocal score PDF  
   - vocal front & back cover  PDF
  - wind parts  PDF 		SATB div. with  3 x clarinet, trombone, and bass trombone (or cimbasso)
The vocal parts have a few changes, and the wind rather more; otherwise similar to the above quintet version.
This version was for the Humour in Harmony concert in 2012.
To Say Goodbye Vocal score with piano reduction
     PDF     Midi   OVE

Libretto     Words   		For everything there is a season (words mine, inspired by Ecclesiastes 3:1 et seq., but entirely secular).
A happy 3-minute Beguine suitable for the end of a concert or for saying farewell to a retiring singer.
 SATB div. with solo (any voice), and piano accompaniment.
Performing with piano accompaniment may require some interpretation of the reduction and the included chord symbols.
Full score with wind quintet/quartet
    PDF    Midi   OVE
Wind parts with printing instructions  
    PDF  
        PERFORMANCE    MP3 		Same, but with wind quintet or quartet. 
[Flute,] Oboe, Clarinet, Horn, Bassoon

John Kilpatrick's music page [top of page] 

More music by John Kilpatrick - Secular
Two Homer Sonnets Both sonnets   PDF (c.160KB)
 1. Chapman          Midi       OVE
 2. To Homer         Midi       OVE 		Keats's Homer sonnets set for unaccompanied SATB. 
These may be sung separately or as a pair with or without retuning. Quite difficult.
  1. On First Looking into Chapman's Homer. In Db major.
  2. To Homer. In B major.
In no.1 all nouns that start with a letter of the scale (A-H) centre on the corresponding chord. In no. 2 the rule is more relaxed but more pervasive. Keats's confusion between Cortez and Balboa is appropriately represented.
Come Live with Me Vocal score   PDF (55KB, 4 pages)
      Midi   MP3 (1.6MB)     OVE     Words 		Words by Christopher Marlowe. Suitable for wedding music.
 SATB (div) - unaccompanied. 2 to 2.5 minutes.
The MP3 was sung by Sheffield Lydian Singers at a concert 11 days after the wedding for which is was composed, .in the same church.
Gone are the Days Vocal score with piano reduction
    PDF (46KB, 4p)   Midi   OVE     Words 		Suitable for a memorial service or similar occasion, religious or non-religious.
SATB - unaccompanied, or with keyboard if desired. About 3 minutes. Performers: please add suitable expression in rehearsal.
Words found on the internet (anon.) and mildly altered
Ozymandias Vocal solo and piano
    PDF (49KB, 4p)   Midi   MP3  OVE     Words 		"A message to all dictators"
Written in 2012 following the popular uprisings of the Arab Spring, to the apposite words of the sonnet of the name by Percy Bysshe Shelley. Suitable for soprano or tenor solo, with piano accompaniment (preferably a good sustaining real piano).
MP3 recording: Soprano - Jane Ginsborg; Piano - George Nicholson

John Kilpatrick's music page [top of page] 

More music by John Kilpatrick - Sacred
Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis Version for choir & organ
Score               PDF  (149KB, 16 pages))
 Magnificat        Midi     OVE
Nunc dimittis    Midi      OVE 		SATB div. with Organ. SSAATTBB
Key: F major. Difficulty: ??? (I'd like to know what you think - please email me.)
In the Magnificat the Tenor & Bass are in Latin but the Soprano & Alto in English; the texts are in parallel, with the Latin generally leading. 
In the Nunc Dimittis the voice selections are reversed.
more details: click here
Version for wind quintet
Vocal score: use the PDF above
Full score         PDF  (171KB)
Wind parts       PDF  (124KB)
Magnificat        MP3  
 Nunc dimittis    MP3   		SATB div. with Wind Quintet (Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Horn, Bassoon).
Gloria Choral score   PDF (217KB, 16 pages)
Full score        PDF (261KB, 24 pages)
Set of parts     PDF (359KB)
   includes part printing instructions

                              Midi

A Latin Gloria for Choir (SATB div,), Brass, Percussion and Keyboard.
For concert use: suitable for a festival or anniversary. Originally written as an entry to the Sheffield Oratorio Chorus Jubilee Competition, under the pseudonym Anthony Saintsman; but unsuccessful, as were all other entries.
Key: based on Bb major. In 10 sections, total time 10-11 minutes: 
Fanfare, Gloria, Et in terra pax, Laudamus te, Gratias agimus tibi, Domine Deus, Qui tollis, Quoniam tu solus, Cum Sancto Spiritu, Amen. 
Full instrumentation, requiring 9 players:
2 x Bb cornet; flugelhorn; 2 x Bb trombone; bass trombone; timpani (3 drums); percussion (cymbal, snare drum, bass drum); vibraphone; organ; piano. The vibraphone may be played by the timpanist or percussionist or both, and the piano by the organist or percussionist.
Fanfare and Grace 
for St Peter's Day 		Choral score   PDF (97KB, 8 pages)
Full score        PDF (95KB, 8 pages)
Set of parts     PDF (130KB)
                  Further details and Words
Fanfare   "Tu es Petrus"              Midi     OVE 
Grace "Crescite vero in gratia"  Midi    OVE 		For Choir (SATB div,), Speaker (optional), and Wind Quintet or Organ.
Key: F major. Not difficult.
For use as an accompanied Introit and Grace at a service on St Peter’s Day (29th June), or as starting and ending pieces for a concert given on that day, or otherwise in connection with St Peter.
Both pieces are in Latin, and include accompanied spoken introductions in English; any other language may be substituted for the introductions, or they may be omitted. 
The choral score serves choir, speaker and organ, and is suggested that it is apt for choir use even in the case of a performance with wind quintet.
The midi versions omit the spoken sections.
In Paradisum     PDF (44KB)       Midi              OVE      
     Words (with translation) 		Unaccompanied anthem, SSATBB; about 1.75 minutes. In Latin. 4 pages.
Key: Bb major. Not sure about difficulty - needs to be sung in tune, though.
Reasonably interesting harmonies, all palatable to the ear.
And I Saw a New Heaven Organ/keyboard version:
  Organ:      PDF  (105KB)       Midi         OVE
Keyboard:   PDF  (95KB)                        OVE
      MP3 (organ version) 		Anthem, SATB with Organ (also 1-manual keyboard version); about 4 minutes. 8 pages.
Key: starts in C, ends in Gb (with optional organ endings to bring back to C or to other keys).
Organ version sung by Danensian Choir in Chichester Cathedral, organist Darren Williams, 10th August 2011
Wind quintet version:
   Score:      PDF  (91KB)           MP3
   Parts:        PDF  (71KB)     		To perform the version with wind quintet accompaniment, the choir may use the Organ version.
Parts for horn are included both with and without key signatures.
Wind quintet version by Sheffield Lydian Singers & Caccia Wind Quintet, 30th June, 2011
Gone are the Days SEE ABOVE under secular - this item is suitable for either a sacred or secular event