Alliance Music Publications Inc. - Strange Places (Christmas Pageant)

adult, youth,and children's choirs
Composed by Eleanor Daley
Voicing: SATB
Instrumentation: keyboard
Catalog number: AMP 5001
Price: $8.95

Strange Places is a Christmas pageant with a difference.

The intent is to raise awareness of the ‘strange places’ in which and through which God makes Godself known. These may well be places in the mind or heart as well as physical spaces. The stable itself was just this kind of unexpected place.

The pageant is designed to be presented in the worship space of a church during worship; and a simple set is put in place at the beginning and removed at the conclusion. This action first obscures and then reveals the altar, drawing attention to worship and the church as two more of these ‘strange places’ of meeting with God.

The actors are seated in their regular Sunday places among the congregation and/or choir. As they are about to participate, they rise and don the simple symbolic costume they are to wear. With this action they also put on the personality of whom they are to play. The ‘strange places’ in which God comes to us can often be the lives of people right around us. As further emphasis, the actors return to the congregation or choir, when their part is completed, quietly removing their costume.

The traditional story is told through narration and reading of scripture, with music and lyrics serving as a commentary. The singing explores possible thoughts and responses of the characters and assists viewers and participants in making connections between the story and their own spiritual journeys.

						          Charles Miller and Scot Denton

Strange Places.

Cast:

Singing Only: Mary (Soprano)
Joseph (Baritone)
Caspar, First King (Tenor)
Melchior, Second King (Baritone I)
Balthazar, Third King (Baritone II)
Angels (Junior Choir)
Senior Choir SATB

Acting:
Narrator I
Narrator II

Acting/Singing:
Census Takers (Intermediate Choir)

Shepherds (Children from congregation)

Acting (No dialogue):
Roman Soldier
Joseph
Mary
Gabriel
Elizabeth
Dancer (optional)
Mary's Helpers
Caspar
Melchior
Balthazar

Strange Places

Musical Selections Page I Introduction - Strange Places (Instrumental underscore)......................... 3
II Strange Places - SATB (All choirs).......................................................... 6
III When Angels Leave - Soprano solo (Mary)................................................ 14
IV Second Thoughts - Baritone solo (Joseph)................................................. 18
*V Magnificat - (Instrumental solo for dance).................................................. 26
VI Nobody Counts - Children's choir (intermediate)......................................... 29
VII Underscore - Magnificat (Instrumental)...................................................... 37
VIII Twinkle and Shine - Shepherds and Children's choir (junior)......................... 39
IX Gloria In Excelsis Deo - SATB [divisi] (Adult choir) and Children's choir....... 48
X Another Way - The Three Kings [TBB soli], SATB (All choirs).................... 58
XI Reprise: Strange Places SATB (All choirs)............................................... 66

* optional instrumental selection for dance.

If children's voices are not separated into junior and intermediate, simply use the older children for Nobody Counts.

Shepherds for Twinkle and Shine might be younger congregational members and sing the refrain only.

Some optional cues are given for choir logistics of standing/sitting. Such matters are dependent on sightlines and placement in the performance space.

									Eleanor Daley

click on “listen to a sample” to hear excerpts from Strange Places.

Click here to see a sample.

Click here to listen to a recording (MP3).



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