| Title | Description | Composer | Voicing | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
Talking to My Shoe SSA (Losing the Plot) |
Talking to my Shoe is the first piece in a collection of four pieces by Paul Stanhope. This version is for SSA and piano. Composer Paul Stanhope writes: Losing the Plot is a collection of songs for children’s voices and piano with texts by Michael Leunig. They were written as a follow up to my earlier cycle of Leunig pieces called Songs of Innocence and Joy for treble voices and chamber orchestra. The first of these pieces, Talking to My Shoe was commissioned and premiered by the Sydney Children’s Choir as part of their 15th anniversary in 2004. The remaining three songs in the cycle were commissioned by the Network of Treble Ensembles (NoTE) which includes Brisbane Biralee Voices, Gondwana Voices,Young Adelaide Voices and Young Voices of Melbourne. All the songs in this set are tinged with an exuberant sense of the absurd, but as usual with Leunig’s texts, there are many layers of meaning and often twists in the tale. The songs are written for upper-primary to high-school aged treble voices mostly in unison and two parts. In two songs—Talking to My Shoe and La–La Land—the choir splits into three parts, but only in a couple of short passages. A more difficult version of this piece also exists with the voices divided into three parts. Permission should be sought from Penguin Books Australia before re-printing any of the texts. |
|||
|
Tamborine |
This piece is currently in preparation. For more information please contact admin@mortonmusic.com |
|||
|
Tamborine (SATB) |
This piece is currently in preparation. For more information please contact admin@mortonmusic.com |
|||
 |
Tantum Ergo – Morton Music Exclusive |
New Release – One of John Rotar’s exclusive digital releases directly through Morton Music – email admin@mortonmusic.com for details. Tantum Ergo is a sacred piece, suitble for intermediate choirs and is voiced for SATB a cappella; duration is 3 mins. This piece was written for The Australian Voices (TAV) in 2023 and performed by TAV as part of Mass at All Saints Wickham Terrace in November 2024. |
|||
|
The Earth’s Prayer |
This recording of The Earth’s Prayer is sung by Lumens and directed by Kathryn Morton. Despite beautiful, moving harmonies throughout, it is the text that shines through in this piece.
Text by Sally Clarke: Our Mother, whose Paradise is our Haven, Hallowed be thy top soil. Thy splendour, thy splendour, thy splendour be replenished, thy nurture be reciprocated on Land as it is in Sea/Sky/Mountain Range. Give us this day our daily mindfulness, forgive us our fossil fuel obsession as we forgive those who manipulate against us. Lead us back into balance and deliver us from separation, for thine is the Wonder of Biodiversity, the renewable power and the shared, sustainable glory. Now and forever. Amen! |
|||
|
The King Shall Rejoice |
New release coming soon to Morton Music (email admin@mortonmusic.com for further details) While looking for a suitable ‘royal’ anthem for a service to be attended by members of the Australian Monarchist League, Nigel Poole felt that his small church choir did not have sufficient resources to do justice to any of the well-known, grand coronation anthems. So he took the text of the anthem by William Boyce, which was sung at the coronation of King Charles, and wrote this new setting, suitable for a parish choir. It worked well, and will be useful to have in the repertoire for Easter Day (Christ as sovereign), the Easter Season (resurrection joy), Ascension Day (Christ as reigning Lord), the feast of Christ the King, and any future royal occasions.
|
|||
 |
The Parting Glass |
The Parting Glass is essentially an arrangement of a traditional Irish melody and has an alternative 2nd verse. The recording by the Adelaide Chamber Singers, was conducted by Carl Crossin in 2021.
|
|||
|
The Road Not Taken (SATB) |
This poignant piece, written for the Seymour College Chamber Singers, is based on the poem by the same name by Robert Frost. The text tells of a traveller who comes across a fork in the road and decides to take the road less travelled – a moving reflection on life’s decisions. Composer Carl Crossin’s decision to include violin adds a further element of emotion to an already very stirring piece. Highly recommended, particularly for youth choirs. |
|||
|
The Road Not Taken (SSAA) |
This poignant piece, written for the Seymour College Chamber Singers, is based on the poem by the same name by Robert Frost. The text tells of a traveller who comes across a fork in the road and decides to take the road less travelled – a moving reflection on life’s decisions. Composer Carl Crossin’s decision to include violin adds a further element of emotion to an already very stirring piece. Highly recommended. |
|||
|
The Springtime it Brings on the Shearing |
A lyrical and charming Australian folksong set for SATB choir and piano. This is a simple arrangement that brings out the grace and charm of the melody. The score gives and explanation of all the Australian slang in the song, arising as it does from the Australian colonial period and the vast sheep-raising properties that were characteristic of this history. This song makes a great contrast with Bullocky-O, also arranged by Graeme Morton. |
|||
|
The Traveller |
A humorous song for young singers with references to unusually named and strange sounding Australian towns such as Burrumbeet, Beetaloo and Gundagai. The performance above is from the National Youth Choir of Australia directed by Noel Ancell. |
|||
 |
There is Music – Morton Music Exclusive |
New Release – One of Stephen Leek’s exclusive digital releases directly through Morton Music – email admin@mortonmusic.com for details. There is Music – A Song Cycle of the Ages is for SATB Choir, solo alto and string quartet. It was commissioned by Graeme Morton and the Brisbane Chamber Choir in 2024. “The pathway of life takes many twists and turns, experiencing joys and tragedies. What is a life other than a collection of memories? As one enters the latter years, often memories are the only reminders of the long journey – memories that are triggered by beauty, images, sounds, colours, … and of course, music.” Listen to this recording of the piece’s final movement, recorded by the Brisbane Chamber Choir (dir. Graeme Morton) on 25th April 2025 in St John’s Anglican Cathedral, Brisbane. Want to learn more about this fascinating piece? Click this link – There is Music – Composer’s Notes – to read the composer’s full statement, prepared for a pre-concert talk on the night of the piece’s premiere. |
|||
|
This Joyful Eastertide |
New to Morton Music – digital copies are now available from RSCM Music Direct (UK) via the Other Countries link. This is the ultimate in a flexible edition! Unison, SAA, TBB and SATB choirs can sing the music from this copy. Based on the old Dutch carol, McKinley’s accompaniment fairly bowls along in a quasi-Baroque style. An excellent addition to the sacred Easter repertoire for any choir. |
|||
|
Three Australian Bush Songs |
This wonderful piece portrays three phases of the day: Sunrise, emerging in the stillness of the dawn, Birds, reflecting the vitality of the noonday, and the vibrant bird calls in the “Australian) bush, and Sunset, where the conclusion to the set of songs is a slow chordal diminuendo as the sun sets. Each movement can be performed separately. Watch the full score preview video here. |
|||
|
Three Carols |
New to Morton Music – digital copies are now available from RSCM Music Direct (UK) via the Other Countries link. Three simple carols for women’s or children’s choir using the medieval texts Terly Terlow, When Christ Was Born of Mary Free and I Sing of a Maiden. The recordings below feature the Brisbane Chamber Choir. (i) Terly Terlow The old English text discusses the shepherds and the music suggests the sound of shepherds’ pipes. (ii) When Christ was Born of Mary Free The second song of the three also discusses the shepherds and the song of the angels. (iii) I Sing of a Maiden This one page piece is a hauntingly beautiful setting of the medieval text. For the most part in two parts, it divides into three at the end. Highly recommended! |
|||
|
Three Christmas Spirituals SA |
New to Morton Music – digital copies are now available from RSCM Music Direct (UK) via the Other Countries link. Three Christmas Spirituals includes the following pieces for treble voices; also available for mixed voices. Go Tell it on the Mountain; There’s a Star in the East; and The Virgin Mary Had a Baby Boy These three simple arrangements of some of the best-loved Spirituals are suitable for youthful voices of all ages. While specific to the Christmas Season, the narrative element in these texts make them appropriate for church or concert performance throughout the year.
|
|||
|
Three Christmas Spirituals SATB |
New to Morton Music – digital copies are now available from RSCM Music Direct (UK) via the Other Countries link. Three Christmas Spirituals includes the following pieces and is for an accompanied SATB choir; also available for treble voices. Go Tell it on the Mountain; There’s a Star in the East; and The Virgin Mary Had a Baby Boy These three simple arrangements of some of the best-loved Spirituals are suitable for youthful voices of all ages. While specific to the Christmas Season, the narrative element in these texts make them appropriate for church or concert performance throughout the year.
|
|||
|
Three Eucharistic Motets |
NOW AVAILABLE These three motets are settings of hymn texts by the influential theologian and writer, Thomas Aquinas. O Salutaris Hostia (O Saving Victim), Panis Angelicus (Bread Of Angels), and Tantum Ergo (Hence So Great A Sacrament) each pertain to the Eucharist – a central aspect of Christianity. The chant melodies of these texts are layered with other material (both derived from the tune, and freely written) in a similar fashion between each piece to create linked, but unique modern textures. Each uses predominately the same pitches, but with different use of modality originating from each chant theme producing different colours in the sound world. This set is a part of the Sacre Australis series. Listen below for recordings of Three Eucharistic Motets by Joshua Adams O Salutaris Hostia: Panis Angelicus: Tantum Ergo: |
|||
|
Three Motets After Victoria (Victoria Triptych) |
New to Morton Music – digital copies are now available from RSCM Music Direct (UK) via the Other Countries link. This “Victoria Triptych” was written in 2011, the 400th anniversary of the death of the great Spanish polyphonist, Thomas Luis de Victoria. For unaccompanied SATB choir, and with divided parts, these wonderful Latin motets remind us that the great motet tradition is still vibrant and flourishing. The individual titles are: Click the links above for score previews and recordings of each movement. Recordings feature the choir of St James King Street, Sydney (one of three commissioning choirs).
|
|||
|
Tides Of Ocean |
A six-minute piece that uses the Victor Carrell poem which describes the poet’s return to Australia by sea. The musical setting of the poem falls broadly into four continuous sections. The opening section comprises a rhythmic and lively music as the choir sings of standing over “tides of ocean”. There follows a calmer music as the poem carries us into the night with images of moon-paths and flying fish which “flash sparks like jewels,” culminating in a “southward dip” which involves all the tenors and basses descending to their lowest registers. The slowly emerging Southern Cross and the excitement of its presence is reflected in the third section of the work by the gradual accretion of voices forming a natural crescendo. The zenith of this crescendo leads the piece to its joyful and spirited conclusion. The recording above features The Australian Voices (2010) directed by Stephen Leek. Or watch the Boston Choral Ensemble’s performance here!
|
|||
|
Tintinara – Morton Music Exclusive |
New Release – One of Stephen Leek’s exclusive digital releases directly through Morton Music – email admin@mortonmusic.com for details. Tintinara is for a medium choir of any age voiced fo SA and piano. This unusual piece employs some more unusual choral techniques to capture the calls of the bush reflected in the ringing of bells. |
|||
|
Tunggare |
“Tunggare” means “voice” or “to sing” in an Indigenous Australian dialect. This is a wonderful opening or closing to a concert. There is much repetition and very easy tenor and bass parts, so it is perfect for a high school choir (and other choirs as well!). It may also be used as a choral piece for audience participation.
Listen to Tunggare here! |
|||
|
Tunggare (SATB) – Morton Music Exclusive |
New Release – One of Stephen Leek’s exclusive digital releases directly through Morton Music – email admin@mortonmusic.com for details.
|
|||
|
Tunggare (SSAA) – Morton Music Exclusive |
New Release – One of Stephen Leek’s exclusive digital releases directly through Morton Music – email admin@mortonmusic.com for details.
|
|||
|
Two Kyries from the Winds of Heaven (SA) |
For treble voices a cappella.
These short songs are unusual, fresh and vivid. They resonate with ideas drawn from several religious philosophies. The composer sanctions performances within the context of Christian worship as well as any philosophic tradition which values the soul. Includes harmonic overtone singing. The individual parts are very simple and a large and sonorous ensemble is preferred.
Note: This score includes an additional alternative ‘Kyrie 11’
Listen to the SATB version here!
|
|||
|
Two Kyries From The Winds Of Heaven (SATB) |
These two songs are unusual, fresh and vivid. They resonate with ideas drawn from several religious philosophies. The composer sanctions performances within the context of Christian worship as well as any philosophic tradition which values the soul. Includes harmonic overtone singing. The individual parts are very simple and a large and sonorous ensemble is preferred. Mixed voices a cappella. Recording from”Honour the Earth” CD published by Sarah Hopkins
Performed by Canticum conducted by Emily Cox
|
|||
|
Ubi Caritas |
New to Morton Music – digital copies are now available from RSCM Music Direct (UK) via the Other Countries link. “Where charity and love are, God is there.” Composer Joseph Twist writes… A commemoration of Jesus Christ for Holy Thursday, for me, the Ubi Caritas has a few significant dimensions; the warmth of Christ’s love, the adoration and mystery of the holy spirit, and the idea of an ‘inclusive, universal’ celebration. Accordingly, my Ubi Caritas reflects this through contrasts in harmonic language, at times chromatic or mysterious, at other times diatonic or pentatonic, reflecting Christ’s love, as well as the influence of modal harmony from Eastern Europe and Africa. Similarly, contrasts in rhythm and texture are incorporated. The calm, sparse music which bookends the work is countered with rhythmic, syncopated music in a kind of ritualistic exultation.
To listen to Ubi Caritas on SoundCloud, click here. |
|||
|
Underpants Anthem 2pt (Losing the Plot) |
Underpants Anthem is the second piece in a collection of four pieces for treble voices and piano. Composer Paul Stanhope writes: Losing the Plot is a collection of songs for children’s voices and piano with texts by Michael Leunig. They were written as a follow up to my earlier cycle of Leunig pieces called Songs of Innocence and Joy for treble voices and chamber orchestra. The first of these pieces, Talking to My Shoe was commissioned and premiered by the Sydney Children’s Choir as part of their 15th anniversary in 2004. The remaining three songs in the cycle were commissioned by the Network of Treble Ensembles (NoTE) which includes Brisbane Biralee Voices, Gondwana Voices,Young Adelaide Voices and Young Voices of Melbourne. All the songs in this set are tinged with an exuberant sense of the absurd, but as usual with Leunig’s texts, there are many layers of meaning and often twists in the tale. The songs are written for upper-primary to high-school aged treble voices mostly in unison and two parts. In two songs—Talking to My Shoe and La–La Land—the choir splits into three parts, but only in a couple of short passages. A more difficult version of this piece also exists with the voices divided into three parts. Permission should be sought from Penguin Books Australia before re-printing any of the texts. The recordings are by the Australian Boys Choir conducted by Noel Ancell. |
|||
|
Underpants Anthem SSA (Losing the Plot) |
Underpants Anthem is the second piece in a collection of four pieces by Paul Stanhope. This version is for SSA and piano. Composer Paul Stanhope writes: Losing the Plot is a collection of songs for children’s voices and piano with texts by Michael Leunig. They were written as a follow up to my earlier cycle of Leunig pieces called Songs of Innocence and Joy for treble voices and chamber orchestra. The first of these pieces, Talking to My Shoe was commissioned and premiered by the Sydney Children’s Choir as part of their 15th anniversary in 2004. The remaining three songs in the cycle were commissioned by the Network of Treble Ensembles (NoTE) which includes Brisbane Biralee Voices, Gondwana Voices,Young Adelaide Voices and Young Voices of Melbourne. All the songs in this set are tinged with an exuberant sense of the absurd, but as usual with Leunig’s texts, there are many layers of meaning and often twists in the tale. The songs are written for upper-primary to high-school aged treble voices mostly in unison and two parts. In two songs—Talking to My Shoe and La–La Land—the choir splits into three parts, but only in a couple of short passages. A more difficult version of this piece also exists with the voices divided into three parts. Permission should be sought from Penguin Books Australia before re-printing any of the texts. |
|||
|
Until I Saw |
A slow meditative work. A beautiful imaginative piece that stands among the best. |
|||
|
Versa est in Luctum |
Number one of Twist’s “Victoria Triptych”. My harp is tuned for lamentation, and my flute to the voice of those who weep. Spare me, O Lord, for my days are as nothing (trans. Miguel Iglesias) Available in the set of Three Motets after Victoria, linked here – not available singly.
To listen to Versa est in Luctum on SoundCloud, click here. |
|||
|
Voice Of The River |
New to Morton Music – digital copies are now available from RSCM Music Direct (UK) via the Other Countries link. Orlovich has a keen ear for the way different texts resonate with each other. This piece uses the traditional Latin text Dulcis Jesu Memoria and Victor Carrell’s Voice of the River which draws on a series of images which address “love” as it is found in some of its myriad manifestations. Commissioned by Graeme Morton’s St Peters Chorale and suitable for a good high school or college choir. It could also be used in church situations as an anthem.
|
|||
|
Voices Of A Land |
An anthology of three songs, Cutty Sark, Midsummer Noon and Drovers. The score includes instructions for “random bush sounds”. |
|||
|
Wake Up! |
Wake Up! is a rhythmic and energetic piece that re-imagines the choir ensemble as a contemporary band. Amongst the global frenzy of contemporary culture, hip-hop and urban music has become the ‘folk music’ that resonates strongly with our current generation. This piece captures the vibrancy of those rhythms and melodies through the imitation of driving hip-hop beats and vociferous rap vocal.
|
|||
|
Waltzing Matilda |
A masterly and unique arrangement of Australia’s favourite song. |
|||
|
Waltzing Matilda (SATB) |
A fresh take on an Aussie classic. |
|||
|
We Are The Future (SATB) |
A wonderfully uplifting piece with solos throughout, We Are The Future is highly recommended for youth choir. With text adapted from year 8, Brighton Secondary Student, Paris Maddern’s poem “The Future”, this joyous piece for SATB or SSA choir carries a strong, youthful voice and sings of their hope for the future, and their role in it. “And I cry at the glowing blaze of disaster in this world Yearning to reshape it, let goodness be unfurled Perhaps I am not good enough Perhaps my strength exceeds me, The world will see me.” “We Are The Future” is also available in SSA voicing. |
|||
|
We Are The Future (SSA) |
A wonderfully uplifting piece with solos throughout, We Are The Future is highly recommended for youth choir. With text adapted from year 8, Brighton Secondary Student, Paris Maddern’s poem “The Future”, this joyous piece for SATB or SSA choir carries a strong, youthful voice and sings of their hope for the future, and their role in it. “And I cry at the glowing blaze of disaster in this world Yearning to reshape it, let goodness be unfurled Perhaps I am not good enough Perhaps my strength exceeds me, The world will see me.” “We Are The Future” is also available in SATB voicing. |
|||
|
We Welcome Summer |
New to Morton Music – digital copies are now available from RSCM Music Direct (UK) via the Other Countries link. A wonderful piece which welcomes “the glorious blessing of light” asking us to “pour out our darkness into the glorious forgiving light”. Would suit a good college or church choir. It could also be used as an Epiphany anthem with a difference, since Epiphany appears in the middle of summer in the Southern Hemisphere.
The recording is track number 08, from The Australian Voices’ CD, “The Listening Land”. Conducted by Graeme Morton.
|
|||
|
When The Sleepy Man Comes |
A delightful choral piece for junior choristers aged six to nine. The three stanzas of this song feature graceful singable lines in a classical style. Highly recommended for a choir’s first competition. |