In the Dark of December
I Heard a Bird Sing
by Lon Beery
2-Part - Sheet Music

Choral Flute, Piano, 2-Part Choir

SKU: CF.BL1112

I Heard a Bird Sing. Composed by Lon Beery. Fold. Octavo. 12 pages. Duration 2 minutes, 6 seconds. BriLee Music #BL1112. Published by BriLee Music (CF.BL1112).

UPC: 680160912230. 6.875 x 10.5 inches. Key: D dorian. English, English. I Hear a Bird Sing by Oliver Herford (1860-1935).

Beery's hopeful setting in the Dorian mode. The text reminds us that, just as some of the dark moments in our lives seem to linger on, it is also true that during the long, dark wintry days of December we must remember that we are actually getting closer to Spring even if it seems that Winter is dragging on. With optional flute, the rhythmic interplay in the accessible piano accompaniment propels the melody forward as if towards Spring.
In the Dark of December is based on the poem I Heard a Bird Sing by Oliver Herford. Herford was born on December 2, 1860 in Sheffield, England. His father was a minister and moved the family first to Chicago, and then to Boston. Oliver attended Antioch College in Ohio and later studied art in England and France. He finally moved to New York where he lived with his wife until his death in 1935. Oliver Herford was known as an artist, illustrator and writer. He wrote books, plays, and poetry and was also known for his illustrations and cartoons. In this clever, short poem, Herford reminds the reader that in the long, dark wintry days of December, we ought to keep in mind that we are actually getting closer to Spring. It is a word of hope that we may need to remind ourselves as Winter sometimes seems to drag on and on! It is also helpful to remember this when we have some dark moments in our lives. Notice that at the beginning of the piece the tonic note (Do or 1) is D, yet there are no accidentals in the key signature. This suggests that this is not in a major or minor key. In fact, this piece is written in the Dorian mode. Modes were especially popular during the Medieval period of music history.
In the Dark of December is based on the poem I Heard a Bird Sing by Oliver Herford. Herford was born on December 2, 1860 in Sheffield, England. His father was a minister and moved the family first to Chicago, and then to Boston. Oliver attended Antioch College in Ohio and later studied art in England and France. He finally moved to New York where he lived with his wife until his death in 1935. Oliver Herford was known as an artist, illustrator and writer. He wrote books, plays, and poetry and was also known for his illustrations and cartoons.In this clever, short poem, Herford reminds the reader that in the long, dark wintry days of December, we ought to keep in mind that we are actually getting closer to Spring. It is a word of hope that we may need to remind ourselves as Winter sometimes seems to drag on and on! It is also helpful to remember this when we have some dark moments in our lives.Notice that at the beginning of the piece the tonic note (Do or 1) is D, yet there are no accidentals in the key signature. This suggests that this is not in a major or minor key. In fact, this piece is written in the Dorian mode. Modes were especially popular during the Medieval period of music history.