At New Year’s 2023, Mark was appointed Member of the Order of Canada by Her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary Simon, Governor-General of Canada, for his steadfast commitment to the field of choral music as a renowned composer, conductor, and community leader. The investiture ceremony will take place at Rideau Hall, Ottawa at a later date.
Mark is Founding Artistic Director of the Cantabile Choirs, Kingston and continues to freelance as a guest conductor, composer and clinician. Mark has been busy composing, arranging and curating his new series, Profondo: Quality Repertoire for Low Voices with Cypress Choral Music.
Please subscribe to Mark’s YouTube channel. Subscribe!
In celebration of Cantabile’s 25th anniversary, and in recognition of Mark’s years of dedication, ‘What Sweeter Music’, an album of some of his a cappella works, was produced as a farewell gift by Cantabile Pro Coro directed by Geoffrey Sirett. The album may be ordered from the Cantabile Choirs or available for digital download from Bandcamp
new releases
satb
Christ, Whose Glory Fills the Skies
SATB & organ, Augsburg Fortress 9781506486451
Writing new music set to a familiar Charles Wesley text, Mark Sirett once again shows his mastery of beautiful melodic writing mixed with rich harmonic textures. A sweeping and grand anthem with an organ accompaniment to match, it is perfect throughout the year as a general anthem of praise. See the score
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
The Gift to Sing
SATB & piano, Alliance Music AMP 1166
SSA & piano, Alliance Music AMP 1152
Written for the 35th anniversary of Canada’s celebrated Amabile Young Singers of London ON, this work is a setting of the fabulous poetry of African-American James Weldon Johnson. See the score & listen
Sometimes the mist overhangs my path,
And blackening clouds about me cling;
But, oh, I have a magic way
To turn the gloom to cheerful day—
I softly sing.
See SSA score & listen YouTube
In the Early Morning Rain
Gordon Lightfoot arr. Sirett, SATB & piano, optional guitar, bass & violin, Cypress Choral Music CP 2101
TBB & piano, optional guitar, bass & violin Cypress Choral Music CP 2102
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 See score & listen
Erkennen wirst ihn
SATB a cappella Augsburg Fortress 9798889831242
The German version of the popular Advent/Christmas anthem, Thou Shalt Know Him is now available. See the score YouTube
Lo Conocerás Cuando Vieniere
SATB a cappella Augsburg Fortress 99798889831259
The Spanish version of the popular Advent/Christmas anthem, Thou Shalt Know Him is now available. See the score YouTube
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
Red-Winged Blackbird
David Francey arr. M. Sirett, Cypress Choral Music
SATB & piano CP2082
SSA & piano CP2083
TBB & piano CP2084
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
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
Vous Le Saurez Quand Il Vient
SATB a cappella, , SATB Augsburg Fortress 9798889831235
The French version of the popular Advent/Christmas anthem Thou Shalt Know Him is now available. See the score YouTube
The World Is Filled With Awe SATB & organ, Anthem for Thanksgiving, Augsburg/Fortress 9798889832560
This jubilant setting of Psalm 65 is sure to enliven Thanksgiving worship. Mark Sirett’s dynamic writing highlights the depth of the psalm text with shifts in tempo and mood. See the score & listen
ssa
The Gift to Sing
SSA & piano, Alliance Music AMP 1152
Written for the 35th anniversary of Canada’s celebrated Amabile Young Singers of London ON, this work is on the fabulous poetry of African-American James Weldon Johnson. See the score & listen
Sometimes the mist overhangs my path,
And blackening clouds about me cling;
But, oh, I have a magic way
To turn the gloom to cheerful day—
I softly sing.
See score & listen YouTube
Huron Carol
SSAA a cappella, Carus Verlag 7.518/10
TTBB a cappella, Carus Verlag 7.518/10
Mark has arranged the popular Huron Carol from his native Canada for the Carus choral collection Christmas Carols of the World. As well as the version for mixed choir (SATB) the work is now also available in separate editions for equal-voice choirs (SSAA and TTBB) Listen to the SATB version
Joy
SSA & piano, Alliance Music AMP 1176
This sparkling setting of the poetry by Sara Teasdale expresses the joy of young love. Commissioned by the Calgary Girls’ Choir ‘Brava’ directed by Elaine Quilichini
Red-Winged Blackbird
David Francey arr. M. Sirett, Cypress Choral Music
SSA & piano CP2083
SATB & piano CP2082
TBB & piano CP2084
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
Seek Justice
SSA & piano, Hal Leonard HL 01135655
Also available in SATB HL 01135654 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
ttbb
In the 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
Huron Carol
TTBB a cappella, Carus Verlag 7.518/20
Mark has arranged the popular Huron Carol from his native Canada for the Carus choral collection Christmas Carols of the World. As well as the version for mixed choir (SATB) the work is now also available in separate editions for equal-voice choirs (SSAA and TTBB). Listen to the SATB version
Red-Winged Blackbird
David Francey arr. M. Sirett, Cypress Choral Music
TBB & piano CP2084
SATB & piano CP2082
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
Responsibility
TTBB & piano, Hal Leonard 01169204
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
Seek Justice
TTBB & piano, Hal Leonard HL 01135656
Also available in SATB HL 01135654 and SSAA HL 01135655
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
Thou Shalt Know Him
TTBB a cappella, Augsburg Fortress 9798889831228
The tenor/bass version of the popular Advent/Christmas anthem Thou Shalt Know Him is now available for download See score YouTube
coming soon
The Fields of Athenry Pete St. John arr. Sirett, SATB, piano, optional instruments, Rick Bjella Series, Hal Leonard
When Music Sounds SATB & piano ECS Publishing
A Star is Dancing SAB and keyboard Augsburg Fortress
I Once Loved A Lass Traditional arr. Sirett, SATB, SSA or TTBB and piano, Judith Clurman Series, Hal Leonard
May You Heal SSA, TTBB & solo versions, piano & optional cello, Judith Clurman Series, Hal Leonard
A Song Forever New SAB & keyboard, sacred, Cypress Music
Silence, Frost & Snow (A Winter Triptych) SATB, piano & optional instruments, Judith Clurman Series, Hal Leonard