Choral Music

[Chris Burridge]

Ok, so im new to this forum... a quick hi to you all! 

So, for anyone who might be interested in choral composition, i've been writing scraps of pieces for chorus, with intentions of weaving them into a choral work. The problem i have is, it is currently wordless.

I could just write an entire piece wordless, no issues there, but i'd like to include a text, and i have no idea what sort of text would be appropriate. So my question is: how would you go about composing for chorus - by pick the text first? And does anyone have any suggestions for a text to use as a newbie in the choral world? 

[Gav Brown]

e.e. cummings has written some wonderful poetry that might inspire.

[Chris Burridge]

Thanks Gav, I'll look him up!

[Ursula Jasovec]

Whenever I write for choir I always go through texts at first and pick one that can't get out of my head and then I continue from that point on, I try to write music that goes along with the text, what I think text is about. I know loads of composers who would write melody first and then add text, but since I think in this matter text is very important it's better to have text first, except if you know someone who writes texts and has a good feeling for adding it to the existing music in that case it doesn't matter what you write first.

As for texts I usually go to the library and take some books - drama and poetry and find some there. I think there are also some online communities where you can find text from contemporary poets and writers and some are very good. Good luck!

[Gav Brown]

I agree with Ursula, text first

[Christopher Shaver]

I would definitely recommend picking a text first.