After the War
SATB & piano, Cypress Choral Music CP 1328
SSA & piano, Cypress Choral Music CP 1326
TTBB & piano, Cypress Choral Music CP 1378
Paul Gross and David Keele wrote the song sung by Sarah Slean for the film “Passchendaele” about a Canadian soldier at Ypres during WWI. Mark has transformed the song into a wonderful choral composition which would be well suited to Remembrance Day events or any concert about peace. Fl, ob, vl, db, piano version available from the publisher. See score & listen YouTube ChoralTracks
Auld lang syne
SATB, piano & flute, Boosey & Hawkes HL 48019697
SSA, piano & flute, Boosey & Hawkes HL 48023947
A moving setting of the wonderful Burns words to the original version of the Scottish air (different that the one often heard!) This is the perfect conclusion to a holiday concert, and also appropriate for graduation and other times of farewell. Fl, ob, vl, db, piano version available from the composer. See score & listen Listen YouTube ChoralTracks
Barter (Life Has Loveliness to Sell)
SATB & piano (optional string quartet) Boosey & Hawkes HL 48023647
Nothing comes easily in life, but, as poet Sarah Teasdale assures us, life holds such treasures that we must give our all and “never count the cost.” This was written for the Association for Music in International Schools Honours Choir Festival, Luxembourg 2015. String quintet and piano version available from the composer. See score & listen YouTube ChoralTracks
new release 2021 Becomes Bethlehem
SATB & piano, Boosey & Hawkes HL HL 48024798
This marvellous poetry is by award-winning Canadian poet, Wendy Jean MacLean, who also provided the fascinating text for Sirett’s “The Stars Point the Way” awarded “Outstanding Composition” from Choral Canada in 2010. The eternal themes of Christmas are proclaimed: peace, justice, wonder, hope, love…and home. Written for Greenwood Singers, Edmonton, Robert de Frece, Director Youtube See score & listen
Berceuse acadienne
SATB a cappella, Boosey and Hawkes M051-4801992-8.
One of the most beautiful melodies from the French Acadian region of Canada’s east coast is exquisitely for a cappella voices. This gorgeous lullaby is suitable for teens and adult choirs, and is also appropriate for Christmas. See score & listen YouTube
The Blessing of Light
SATB & piano (or organ), Pavane Music P1614
It was time for a new piece to serve as the concert closer and this is it. Selected for the Mike Scheibe Choral Series, this blessing uses the text of an ancient Scottish blessing that is delightfully generic in nature. Warm, deep and melodic, this is a benediction that can be used on any occasion. See score & listen YouTube
Ce beau printemps
SATB a cappella, Boosey & Hawkes M051-4801988-6
This is a gorgeous love song that celebrates the coming of spring and the young love. Easy especially appropriate for high school, college/university and community. This is an excerpt and reworking of a passage from the larger choral/orchestral work, ‘Beltane’ published by Boosey & Hawkes. See score & listen YouTube
Citadel Hill
SATB & piano, Cypress Choral Music CP 1245
SSA & piano, Cypress Choral Music CP 1335
Mark is a master of writing approachable choral music…a breeze for the director and a joy for the singers. This is another of his charming Canadian folk song arrangements. Fl, ob, vl, db and piano version available from the composer. See score & listen YouTube ChoralTracks
The Cliffs of Dooneen
SATB & piano, Cypress Choral Music CP 1164
TTBB & piano, Cypress Choral Music CP 1889
SSA & piano, Cypress Choral Music CP 1165.
This popular and haunting Irish folk song extols the rugged beauty of the Atlantic coast. The final verse expresses longing for the homeland–a sentiment shared by many Irish immigrants during the nineteenth century when they were forced to leave for North America because of the Great Famine. Fl, ob, vl, db and piano version available from the composer. See score & listen YouTube or YouTube
Cloths of Heaven
SATB & piano, Cypress Choral Music KH 022
TTBB & piano, Cypress Choral Music KH 021
SSA & piano, Cypress Choral Music KH 023
A moving setting of Yeat’s magnificent poem “Had I the heavens’ embroidered cloths.” Commissioned for the Waterloo Region High School Choral Festival, Centre in the Square, Kitchener-Waterloo. There are two instrumentations available from the composer 1. Fl, ob, vl, db and piano or 2) wind quintet and piano. See score & listen YouTube or YouTube or YouTube Choral Tracks
new release 2022 The Clouded Heaven
SATB a cappella, Walton Music WW1867
This exquisite and gratifying a cappella work expresses a sudden clarity of purpose in life’s journey. It was commissioned by Yorkminster Park Baptist Church, William Maddox, Organist and Music Director, and sung during their residency at St. Paul’s Cathedral, London. The universal search for enlightenment expressed in the text is appropriate any time of the year, but particularly Christmas and Epiphany.
See score & listen YouTube
Cotton Jenny
Gordon Lightfoot arr. Sirett
SATB & piano, Cypress Choral Music CP 1787
SSA & piano, Cypress Choral Music CP CP 2246
TTBB & piano, Cypress Choral Music CP 1790
Many singers and audience members will remember this delightful folk song by Lightfoot with the refrain, “The wheels of love go ’round!” Great fun! See score & listen
The Curragh of Kildare
SATB and piano, Boosey and Hawkes M-051-479597
This exquisite Irish ballad tells the tragic love story of a young girl who goes to the Curragh to find news of her handsome love, a young man destined to be killed with his compatriots in battle. Commissioned by St. Francis Xavier University Chamber Singers. See score & listen YouTube
new release 2023 Danse, Mon Moine
SAB & piano, fiddle, spoons, Cypress Choral Music CP 2231
Also known as ‘Ah, si mon moine voulait danser’, this is an exhilarating folk song from the early days of New France. A wonderful concert opener or finale, it is especially designed for middle, junior and high school, or choirs with fewer low voices. The language is easy to learn. See score & listen YouTube
Dreaming of Home
P. Rombi arr. M. Sirett, SATB, piano, flute, oboe, violin, double bass
from the film, “Joyeux Noël”. Text and music used by permission. For further information contact the composer. YouTube
new release 2023 Early Morning Rain
Gordon Lightfoot arr. Sirett, TBB & piano, optional guitar, bass & violin Cypress Choral Music CP 2102
SATB & piano, optional guitar, bass & violin, Cypress Choral Music CP 2101
This classic song by Canadian icon, Gordon Lightfoot, expresses the homesickness he often felt as a traveling folk artist. It has been covered by Bob Dylan, Judy Collins, Eva Cassidy and many others. See score & listen
Faith in Peace
SATB & piano, Cypress Choral Music CP 1860
Based on the words of the Hon. Lester B. Pearson as he accepted the Nobel Peace Prize, this work is suitable for Remembrance Day commemorations and events on the theme of peace. Two instrumentations are available from the composer a) string quintet + piano b) full strings + piano available See score & listen
Farewell
SATB, violin & piano, E.C. Schirmer Music (ECS Publishing) 6582
This work was commissioned by the Ottawa Regional Youth Choir, Barbara Clark, director. The text was written by a member of the choir, Stephanie Boileau—colourful and atmospheric writing for chorus about a mermaid and the sea. See score & listen YouTube
Farewell to Tarwathie
SATB & piano, Cypress Choral Music CP 1357
SSA & piano, Cypress Choral Music CP 1597
TTBB & piano, Cypress Choral Music CP 1876
This lovely Scottish folk song, made famous by Judy Collins and Pete Seeger, is suitable for community, high school and college/university singers. Fl, ob, vl, db, piano version available from the composer. See score & listen YouTube ChoralTracks
coming soon The Fields of Athenry
SATB, piano, flute, oboe, violin & percussion
With permission of composer, Pete St. John, Canadian composer Mark Sirett arranged his wonderful “Fields of Athenry” for the Cantabile Choirs of Kingston, Hal Leonard YouTube
Go, Lassie, Go
SATB & piano, Boosey & Hawkes HL 48005157
SSA & piano, Boosey & Hawkes M-051-475308
Instrumental parts for flute, oboe, violin and double bass: M-051-105106
This Celtic folk song is well known in Scotland and Ireland. This is animated version sets the audiences toes ‘a-tappin’ and would make a perfect opening or conclusion to a concert. ChoralTracks Listen YouTube
Hold On (To What is Good)
SATB a cappella Boosey and Hawkes HL 1000125647
This inspirational, prayerful and moving a cappella work is based on an ancient Pueblo First Nations Prayer that encourages us to hold on to what is good–nature, friendship, faith. A powerful statement of encouragement and hope. Available for digital download. See score & listen YouTube
Johnnie Cope
SATB & piano, Traditional Scottish, Cypress Choral Music CP 1559
This incredibly energetic arrangement would be a thrilling conclusion to any concert. Cope was a leader of the British troops and the battle that is described was a decisive victory for the Jacobites. Fl, ob, vl, db, piano version available from the composer. See score & listen YouTube
Keep Me Fully Glad
SATB, piano & optional string quintet, Hal Leonard HL 00368505
Commissioned by Voices International, Luxembourg, James Libbey, Director. With a joyful and serene text by Bengali poet, writer, philosopher and painter Rabindranath Tagore, Mark has skillfully crafted this expressive and heart-breaking song for mixed choir and piano with an optional string quintet.
See score & listen
new release 2023 Look at the Stars
SATB & piano, optional instruments, Pearl Shangkuan Series, Hinshaw Music HMC2711
A setting of an evocative text from the Philippines marvels at the beauty of the universe: the stars, the deep blue ocean, and the green forest. It highlights the profound connection humans share with all living creatures and the joyful conclusion reminds us of the gift of freedom—a blessing that emanates from within each one of us, and made more powerful in unity with our brothers and sisters. See score & listen
new release 2021 Maybe
Robbie Smith arr. M. Sirett, SATB & piano, Cypress Music CP 1971
TTB & piano, Cypress Music CP 1976
SSA & piano, Cypress Music CP 1978
The beautiful lyrics and music by Nova Scotia singer and songwriter, Robbie Smith, are especially appropriate for Remembrance, AnZac, Memorial Day observations. Maybe war will teach us something–teach us how to live in peace. Peace will come, peace will come; peace will come in time. All the guns and marching drums, fade to silence in time. The poignant text is partnered with an expressive tune. See score & hear
new release 2022 May You Heal
SATB, piano & cello (optional) Hal Leonard HL 00396766
This is the centerpiece of the May You Heal Project, a series of five short choral works that have been written and recorded during the pandemic. The project offers music of comfort, peace, renewal and self-awareness. In this piece, Mark captures the essence of the text in a poignant, contemplative choral setting. See score & listen ChoralTracks
New World
SATB, piano duet & string quintet
A setting of the song by Björk from Dancers in the Dark was written for the Cantabile Choirs of Kingston with special permission. For further information contact the composer. YouTube
Leezie Lindsay
SATB & piano, Cypress Choral Music CP1558
Traditional Scottish tale by Robbie Burns. A highland Laird courts the beautiful Leezie Lindsay in Edinburgh. He wins her heart and take her to the highlands where she becomes lady of a great castle. A beautiful tune about this wonderful romance! fl, ob, vl, db, piano version available from the composer. See score & listen YouTube
Les Raftsmen
SA(T)B & piano, #6 in Song Stream 2: An American Journey: 10 Songs for Youth Choirs, compiled and edited by Bob Chilcott and Peter Hunt, Oxford University Press
This vigorous French-Canadian lumberjack song, complete with body percussion, will delight younger singers. This practical folk song arrangement was written for this volume by Oxford University Press designed especially for younger choirs with few tenors and basses. YouTube or YouTube
O Earth, Loving Mother
SATB a cappella Hal Leonard HL 319887
This work, on words by one of Canada’s most treasured poets, Archibald Lampman, underscores the urgent need for us all to be respectful and mindful of the fragility of mother earth, which gives us life and sustains us. This is a beautiful work for any concert lifting up earth day, the environment, socially conscience themes or plant and animal life. See score & listen
Ononyatakaka
SATB, hand drum, sticks, shaker (Kelman Hall, Kitchener ON)
Inspired by Mohawk culture this work is a bold, rhythmic etude that represents sounds echoing off rock cliffs. The percussion instruments provide interesting cross rhythms to the vocal lines. A middle contrasting section is atmospheric. Very dramatic and energetic work especially good for teen singers and older singers. YouTube ChoralTracks
Onokenoga
SATB & percussion, Boosey & Hawkes 48019902
This dramatic soundscape retells the tragic Mohawk legend of two young lovers. Commissioned for Central Bucks High School-West Chamber Choir, Pennsylvania, Dr. Joseph Ohrt, director and premiered at the Toronto Centre for the Performing Arts in May, 2006. See score & listen YouTube
O Take the Lute
SATB Porfiri and Horvath (Germany) PHP 112 057
A setting of a beautiful sonnet by Archibald Lampman. This new North American series edited by Zimfira Poloz and features music suitable for festival competition. This a cappella work is for advanced choirs. See score YouTube
The Parting Glass
SATB a cappella, Boosey & Hawkes M051-473427
A hauntingly beautiful setting of this poignant Irish folk song of departure reminiscent of “The Turtle Dove” by Vaughan Williams. Made familiar to many by the well-known Irish band, the Chieftains, this was arranged for the Cantabile Madrigal Singers. Graceful contrapuntal lines and warm harmonies underscore the bittersweet sentiment of the text. YouTube or YouTube
The Pierless Bridge
SSA & piano, Cypress Choral Music CP 1332
TTBB & piano, Cypress Choral Music CP 1333
SATB & piano, Cypress Choral Music CP 1294
Emily Dickinson explores the question of faith in this poignant poem and Mark gives it the perfect gentle setting with solo and full chorus. See score & listen
Red is the Rose
SATB & piano, Boosey & Hawkes M051-47979-5
This anonymous Irish text is set to the beautiful Scottish tune, Loch Lomond. With a piano part depicting the flowing river, passages featuring men’s and then women’s voices, and a middle a cappella section, this is a concert setting worthy of the best choirs. See score & listen YouTube
new release 2022 Red-Winged Blackbird
David Francey arr. M. Sirett, Cypress Choral Music
SATB & piano CP2082
TBB & piano CP2084
SSA & piano CP2083
One of the best-loved songs by Scottish-Canadian folk artist, David Francey, rejoices in the arrival of the red-winged blackbird as the harbinger of spring. This charming song is now available for either SATB, SSA, TBB choirs. See score & listen
new release 2021 Responsibility
SSA & piano, Hal Leonard HL 00357220
SATB & piano, Hal Leonard HL 00357218
Jewish leader and scholar, Hillel the Elder, captures the tension between the need for healthy self-care and the importance of caring for others. Canadian composer Mark Sirett combines the ancient Hebrew text with modern English to create an elegant and folk-like setting. See score & listen
new release 2023 Seek Justice
SATB & piano, Hal Leonard HL 01135654
Also available in SSA HL 01135655 and TTBB HL 01135656
Throughout history, prophets, visionaries, poets, and peacemakers have cried out for justice in our world. Justice must be actively pursued, and this music flows and moves as a metaphor of pursuit. See the score and listen
new release 2021 Sparrow
SATB & piano, violin or flute, CP 1610
SSA & piano, violin or flute, CP 1607
TTBB and piano, violin or flute, CP 1890
This beautiful winter song is the creation of the Canada’s beloved Raylene Rankin and Susan Crowe. The text expresses the concern for the environment and would be an ideal number for winter concerts or Earth Day. See score & listen YouTube
Steal Away
SATB & piano, Hallelujah–Gospels and Spirituals for Mixed Choir published by Carus-Verlag 2.104/00. The arrangements from this collection are extremely varied – sometimes rhythmic, sometimes solemn, but always emotional and exciting – in all their highs and lows. The Europäischer Kammerchor conducted by Michael Reif has recorded the collection. Steal Away is available for digital purchase separately See score & listen YouTube
Things That Never Die
SATB & piano, Boosey & Hawkes M051-48093-7
Canadian composer Mark Sirett has set the inspirational Charles Dickens text in a simple and effective style. With a flowing and independent piano accompaniment, the singers paint the text with descriptive lines ending each verse with the powerful exclamation ‘These things can never die’. Wind quintet and piano version available from the composer. See score & listen YouTube
True North
SATB & piano, Cypress Choral Music CP 1575
This is a stirring anthem to celebrate Canada’s 150th anniversary of Confederation commissioned by the Orpheus Choir of Toronto directed by Robert Cooper. See score & listen YouTube
Un Canadien errant
SATB & piano, Cypress Choral Music KH 108
SSA & piano, Cypress Choral Music KH 109
new release TTBB & piano, Cypress Choral Music KH 119
One of Canada’s best-loved folksongs; an emotional and heartrending story of a young rebel who is banished from his homeland. Poignant and dramatic setting that has often been used for Canada Day Unisong Festival at the National Arts Centre in Ottawa. Contact the composer for ordering details. Full orchestra version available from the composer. See score & listen YouTube or YouTube
Voices of Earth
SATB, piano & violin, Boosey and Hawkes M051479603
This tone poem begins and ends gently, but rises to a striking moment which describing “the roar of the sea’s surge, the might of thunder breaking”. Appropriate for an advanced high school, college or community chorus. commissioned by the Dartmouth Concert Association for the award-winning Halifax Camerata, Jeff Joudrey, conductor. See score & listen YouTube Listen
Watane
SSA & percussion, easily adapted to SATB, Boosey & Hawkes M051-4473434
A soundscape inspired by aboriginal culture. Non-traditional vocal sounds, fragments of Iroquois-inspired chant, birdcalls, and varied percussion help evoke the atmosphere of the Eastern woodlands. The work has been performed at ACDA national and regional conventions, World Symposium on Choral music, and international festivals. YouTube or YouTube
Where have all the flowers gone?
SATB & piano, Boosey & Hawkes HL 48018867
SSA & piano, Boosey & Hawkes HL 48018855
Full score with violin, flute, oboe, double bass: M-051-10515-1
A beautiful, expressive setting of this favourite song for peace by Pete Seeger. Since 911, this work is especially suitable for concerts of remembrance and peace. Two versions available from the composer a) fl, ob, vl, db, piano b) string orchestra See score & listen YouTube or YouTube
Will Ye No Come Back Again?
SATB & piano, Alliance Music AMP 0391
A stirring arrangement of this great Scottish folk song of farewell. The final verse is an outpouring of emotion and the thrilling conclusion evokes the sound of the highland drums and pipes. This has been featured at Unisong on Canada Day at the National Arts Centre. Two versions available from the composer a) fl, ob, vl, db, piano b) string orchestra See score & listen YouTube ChoralTracks