Composition Review

Let all the Peoples Praise the Lord (Fl 1, Fl 2, Alto, Bass and optional Contra Bass) is a flute choir arrangement based on a motet by Gallus Dressler
(b. 1533). This arrangement was performed at the National Flute Association Convention August 2005 in San Diego by Sweet Silver, a Winnipeg flute choir,  under the direction of Monica Bailey.  Monica Bailey comments:

"Let all the Peoples Praise the Lord" by Gallus Dressler is a magical choral piece from the 16th century.  Maryanne Rumancik's arrangement for four antiphonal groups bestills the soul and delights the senses.  

-Monica Bailey  May 2005

In "Chanson d'Août", the flutist is asked to interpret changes in meter between 2/4 and 3/4 contrasting sections. This develops creativity and attention to musical phrasing, making it the perfect choice for the grade 4 player. Maryanne Rumancik is a wonderful Manitoba composer, whose compositions are both powerful and gentle, playful and serene.

-Monica Bailey  March 2005

Book Reviews

The following review appeared in the Spring 2003 issue of The Canadian Music Teacher (pg 43), the national journal of the Canadian Federation of Music Teachers' Association. It is reprinted with the permission of the author.

Piano Music
Maryanne Rumancik

Reviewed by Peggy L'Hoir

Published by Prairie Sky Music Publishing

ALBUM FOR THE YOUNG - Piano solos by Maryanne Rumancik is a set of six picture pieces for the grade one/two student. With titles like "I've Got a headache", "Inventing a Groove" and "They're Not Playing Nice!", students will easily identify the emotion or picture expected of them. The harmonies range from lovely to creative and are sure to entertain the performer and audiences, as well.

PIANO PERSONAS - intermediate piano solos by Maryanne Rumancik is a collection for grades five to eight. This artistic Manitoba composer has captured a diversity of expressiveness in these appealing and accessible stylings ranging from bi-tonality to Jazz/Blues and Gospel.

IN MEMORIAM - REST IN PEACE - Piano Solo by Maryanne Rumancik is a powerful composition at a grade eight level. Written after 9/11, this is a beautiful work filled with gorgeous harmonies, making reference to the Crimond melody setting of Psalm 23.

LIVING PRAIRIES - PRAIRIES VIVANTES - Advanced Piano Solos by Christopher Robinson and Maryanne Rumancik includes two compositions by each composer with the intention of depicting the beauty of the prairies in sound. Creative harmonies and textures permeate these gorgeous tone-poems which even include the use of a Hand Drum, based on traditional native drum patterns, in "Les célébrations du l er juillet".

***These collections would be very successful in encouraging creativity at the same time as expanding the skillful listening of even the youngest student. Great performance repertoire.

by Maryanne N. Rumancik Copyright 2000
Published by Prairie Sky Music Publishing

Reviewed by Joy McFarlane-Burton

This is an interesting work for mezzo-soprano and piano suitable for the advanced soloist. The Song Cycle of four songs is based on the poetry of Christina Rossetti. The texts are beautifully and sensitively set. The first song "Sleeping at Last" is a combination of leider and Spechstimme styles. "No Thank You John" is more argumentative, again incorporating the Sprechstimme but with more humour. The chromatic texture of "No Sad Songs" is very appealing. The final song, "My Secret", is a playful song full of clever surprises.

Performance notes are included as well as brief bios of the composer and the poet.