Date: Monday, 14 Apr 1998
From: David Thomas
To: AMCA web site readers
Subject: Repertoire that "worked"!

The following selections are some of the selections that "worked" with the South St. Paul Male Chorus (Minnesota) when I directed them (Tape Available). (Also included are a few that were to be future selection!) Some of these pieces took a little time to work out but were rewarding when completed.

The Christmas selections by Mark Reise (a real composing/arranging talent) were all "stunning" if one took the time to work things out. They were always a "hit" when we sang them. (Mark Reise died a few years ago so there will be no more arrangements from his talent - a real loss!) The piano accompaniments do not duplicate the voice parts and are very imaginative (I was blessed with a fabulous accompanist, Ken Denzer, that could make the accompaniments really come alive!) These are some of the most exciting pieces of music that I have ever discovered for Male Chorus. I have never found any other pieces of Mark Reise other than these few Christmas Pieces (evidently he wrote them for the "Gay Men's Chorus of New York" Christmas Program) If you discover any other pieces of Mark Reise, please pass the information on to me!

I have many selections that worked that are not included here because it is assumed that they are "well-known".

David Thomas
Former Director, South St. Paul Male Chorus
AMCA Web Site Manager