Stars Were Gleaming
for SATB Chorus and Piano
Stars Were Gleaming
for SATB Chorus and Piano
Performance time 3:46 | 25,419 views | 16869 downloads | 35 comments
I love Nancy Turner’s unassuming, childlike text. To round out the setting, I added another verse (following her lead) and inserted a simple, unison “Alleluia” section to help extend the piece. The choral parts are mostly unison with a repeated chorus built upon the rich and interesting harmonies suggested by the original Polish carol—ah, that singing!
Stars Were Gleaming | Text: Nancy Byrd Turner, 1880–1971 | Music: Polish carol | Arrangement © 2009, 2016 Steven Smith
Stars Were Gleaming | Text: Nancy Byrd Turner, 1880–1971 | Music: Polish carol | Arrangement © 2009, 2016 Steven Smith
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Hello! I absolutely adore this arrangement and would love to do it with my Ward choir for Christmas this year. However, when I try to download the sheet music I’m taken to a page that says “This site cannot be reached”. Any tips or tricks to help me out? 🙂 Thank you so much for sharing your amazing talents with the rest of us!!
Hi Arianne! Thanks for letting me know about the problem (and for the kind words about the arrangement). These should be working now, but please let me know if you have any trouble. Best of luck with your Christmas program this year!
Thank you Steve! Now, I hate to be a bother but I do have one more question…Where can I find the Piano accompaniment for this arrangement?
Never mind! I figured it out!! Wasn’t working on my iPad but worked on my desk top just fine. 🙂
My husband is the new choir director and we want to do this piece as well but can’t find the piano accompaniment. So where did you find it? Our first rehearsal is tomorrow night…Nov 9th….
Hi Julie,
Sorry for my incredibly late reply. I hope you were able to make something work for your choir! The download link on this page includes a zip file with the full score, piano part, and choral part. It should have everything you need to perform the piece. Thanks for your comments (and, again, my apologies for the very late reply).
None of your .zip file downloads are working.
Sorry, Karina (and thanks for letting me know). These should be working now (but please let me know if you have any problems).
I am definitely using your arrangement of Stars Were Gleaming for my ward choir this year. I love your work! I usually wade through many arrangements looking for music to perform and there are many arrangements that are okay but when I listened to your arrangements, I definitely feel the Spirit and they speak to my soul! Thank you for sharing your wonderful talent!
Thanks, Ryan! I’m truly humbled and honored that these resonate with you. Sorry for my (very) late response. I hope it’s going well!
This sounds heavenly! I can hear and feel the night Christ was born.
Wow! That just humbles me. Thanks so much for your comments. (And good luck with your choir!)
Hi, I’d love to be able to listen to this arrangement, but the mp3 doesn’t seem to be working. Can anyone suggest another way?
Sorry, Jennie. The link should be fixed now. I hope it’s not too late!
I love your arrangements. Is there a way to get an MP3 of the song Stars Were Gleaming for my choir to listen to and to practice with? Thanks
Sorry for the late response! The listening links were broken for a while, but should all be fixed now. Good luck with your choir!
Love the extra verse!
Thanks. I’m pretty confident in the music, but always a little hesitant in my poetry. I’m glad you like it!
FANTASTIC arrangement. Thank you.
Aw, shucks. Thanks so much for taking time to comment!
This arrangement is exactly what I was looking for. Its beautiful. Thank you!
You’re very welcome! I’m so glad it’s helpful. Good luck with your Christmas program!
Love this arrangement! And new verse! I am trying to use the MP3 and it’s not playing.
Hi Tina,
Sorry about the broken links—should be fixed! Hope your “choir season” is going well for you. 🙂
I reviewed this arrangement for Mormon Musician. (https://www.mormonmusician.com/shop/choir-music/stars-were-gleaming-smith/) Thanks for making it available for free!
Thanks, Jessi! I really appreciate your review, the link to the site, and your taking time to comment. Hope all is well!
Beautiful piece! Sang this yesterday with my ward choir and it was perfect. The “alleluia” section is an awesome backdrop to the piano taking the lead with the melody. I really appreciate your work! Looking forward to “How Firm a Foundation” in the next couple of months!
Thank you, Cameron! I’m so glad you enjoyed the piece. I especially appreciate you taking the time to comment (and I apologize for my very slow response!). Good luck with your choir.
Steve, this is so beautiful. I downloaded it a few years ago and it says that you have parts for Flute, Violin, and Four-Hand Piano. Is this still available?
Thanks, Janet! And sorry for my terribly late response. I probably have those somewhere, but need to find time to clean them up and add them to the site. Maybe next Christmas…
Steve,
Thank you for making this arrangement available.
Do you have any historical information about the Polish carol for the music, or Ms. Turner (lyrics)? Also, what is your story behind this piece? Our ward is sharing the stories and music of sacred Christmas carols this December and wants to highlight this piece. Any information/history you can share would be most welcomed so as to share with the person assigned to introduce this piece and share the meaning, emotions and message with our members.
I appreciate your help and talents.
Hi Kathy,
My apologies for this uselessly late reply. I hope your program went well. Other than the description above, I don’t have much of a story for this piece — I just love the tune. The original Polish Carol has words that are typically translated as “Infant Lowly, Infant Holy” (see Wikipedia). The Tabernacle Choir also does a beautiful arrangement (see YouTube).
Beautiful, beautiful arrangement! Thank you for sharing your talent!
You are most welcome! Thank you for taking the time to share your comments. It’s very appreciated!
Beautiful arrangment. Could you make the MP3 downloadable? Would be a helpful practice file for the choir.
Thanks