America the Beautiful
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The classic patriotic piece has been arranged by Ruth Elaine Schram for school or church use.  Use it to begin or end your concert, or as an encore.  The optional baritone part in the mixed voicing offers more options for choirs with changing male voices.  Suitable for observances of national holidays or general use.

By Your Side and In Your Heart
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This inspirational text by Lynne Wolfe-Richards has been set to powerful music by Ruth Elaine Schram and makes the perfect graduation piece. "...Let the river be your guide, let the sun be your warmth, let the trees be your shelter, let the wind be your force; you have nothing to fear, nothing to hide, and remember I am always by your side and in your heart..." Due to the themes of nature woven throughout, this song would also be a good choice for Earth Day or Spring concerts.

Come What May
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The piano introduction sets the mood for this lovely, inspirational piece by Linda Marcus and Ruth Elaine Schram.  "We don't know where these roads may take us, but nothing is strong enough to break us..." Arranged for SSA(B) voices, the baritone range is limited and does not go above a Middle C, and rarely below G (the lowest note is E).  With this part being optional, the piece can easily be performed SSA.  It is the perfect choice for graduation, as the text speaks of the power of music to bind us together with wonderful memories and hope for the future, and may also be used for festivals or concerts as a "love-of-music / music appreciation" piece.

Farewell, My Friend
View Three Part Mixed score page 3, page 4, page 5
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This lovely adaptation of an African Folk Song is hauntingly beautiful and yet accessible for young singers. An optional Flute obbligato and Orff accompaniment (included in score) adds to the beauty of the piece and helps the work build throughout, only to come back to a soft climax that will leave your audience breathless. The portion from Measure 25 to the end would make a beautiful, memorable encore at the end of your concert and a fitting closer. The chorus also appears in canon, making this piece easy to learn and express.

Give Me America
View Three Part Mixed score page 6
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This uplifting patriotic gem features limited ranges and extreme accessibility. An original melody introduces the theme as the song builds from unison to harmony. In the final section, the original material works in partnership with My Country, 'Tis of Thee, and then concludes with the climactic statement: Give me America; let freedom ring! Sure-fire success for your developing Elementary or Middle School choir.

Ice Cream
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Ice cream is the writer's favorite confection "any day of the year," but this song is especially suited for warm weather concerts.  Delightful novelty piece in partner style, immortalizing our fascination with the cold treat.  Have an ice cream social after this performance!

Irish Friendship Wish
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This setting of one of the many Irish Blessings is beautifully set with a gentle melody and colorful, yet supportive, harmonies in the keyboard. Very expressive, this piece may be performed unison, as a solo, or as a Two Part work. Suitable any time during the school year, it is especially meaningful as an end-of-year piece or for graduation services.

May the Road Rise to Meet You
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This fresh setting of the "Old Irish Blessing" is gentle and positive, yet can be sung with firm unanimity.  The message of hope and encouragement, and wish for a safe return, is appropriate for use throughout the year.   It would make a very meaningful benediction, or end to a Spring concert or Graduation ceremony.

My World
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This gorgeous unison piece has a limited range of a 7th, so is a perfect selection for younger voices, but well within the moderate ranges of Junior High singers as well.   The uplifting message of this work inspires us all to respect our world and take good care of it, because one day our children will inherit it.  Perfect for Earth Day, general use, or Spring concerts.

Promise of Spring
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This exuberant anthem for ladies voices in lilting 6/8 time has optional flute, guitar, and tambourine parts included in the score. The text by Linda Marcus and Ruth Elaine Schram speaks of the beauty, the treasures of earth hidden beneath the winter snows that will be revealed in the Springtime.  It would be an interesting and unexpected selection for a winter concert, or an ideal choice for a Spring program or Earth Day.  Also appropriate for festivals and contests.

Sing a Song for Nature
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Poignant words and lovely music by Mark Burrows, arranged by Ruth Elaine Schram for young singers will be a welcome addition to your Spring concert. Also suitable for Earth Day with its conservation themes. "Who will speak the words for the flower? Who will sing the song for the tree? Who will blow the trumpet for the elephant hunted for his ivory? ... For those who have no choice, we must be the voice..."

Song of the Open Road
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Based on poetry from Walt Whitman's Leaves of Grass, this optimistic work proclaims the freedom we have to choose our own path in life. An excellent way to teach expressive, interpretive singing as you expose your students to an important work of American literature with a positive outlook on the adventure of life; perfect for Spring or Graduation ceremonies.

The Unpainted Canvas
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Colorful palette of text and music combine to create this uplifting work perfect to use for a concert closer, end-of-year, graduation, or as a signature piece. "On the unpainted canvas of the rest of your life, paint a path filled with light, friendly faces left and right. Paint the stars to reach for, paint your heart as an open door. On the unpainted canvas, paint your future bright!..." Available in two voicings.

We Just Want to Say Thanks
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This special song that openly expresses appreciation to parents is sure to be a real crowd-pleaser! The original version of this song (sacred) appears in Ruth Elaine Schram's collection "Seeds to Grow On Too!" Perfect concert closer or end-of-year piece for young voices.

Weather the Storm
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Upbeat, powerful music and inspirational words by Ruth Elaine Schram to help us deal with the ups and downs we all face in life. "...It takes a little wind, it takes a little rain, it takes a little hurt, it takes a little pain. Sometimes it's cold, sometimes it's warm; but it all works together to help us learn to weather the storm..." Unforgettable! This song is dedicated to Ruthie's daughter, Celsie, whose indomitable spirit is an inspiration to all who know her. Available in two voicings, Guitar chords included in score.

When I Reflect (collection)
a collection of motivational vocal solos & duets featuring the music of Greg Gilpin, Mark Hayes, Ruth Elaine Schram and Carl Strommen

more info...

Why Does the Willow Weep?
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Ruth Elaine Schram is at her expressive best in this thoughtful tone poem that exquisitely personifies in nature the causes for human sadness. Vividly poetic with sweeping melodic and harmonic textures, this is both a memorable concert work and music of exceptional maturity for treble choirs.

The Wind
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Expressive word pictures depict the journey of the wind and the changing of the seasons. Voices hauntingly and antiphonally sing "oo," mimicking the sound of the wind blowing "...across the ocean blue from anywhere to me..." and fading to nothing at the end.

Within These Walls
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Wonderful, uplifting message about the growth and potential of our graduating students. While they are leaving behind the safety and comfort they have known 'within these walls,' they have optimistic assurance as they go their separate ways. Ruthie dedicated this work to her daughter, Crystie, who graduated in 1996.