Vocal Solo Book Now Available! Sacred Voice, Vol. 1

Posted on December 04, 2014 by K McDonald | 1 comment

Marshall is excited to announce the release of Sacred Voice, Vol. 1his new book for solo vocalists available for either Medium High or Medium Low vocal ranges.

CLICK HERE to listen to sound clips of each arrangement.

      Sacred Hymns, Vol. 1 for Medium High Voice             Sacred Voice, Vol. 1 for Medium Low Voice

Featuring the following eight hymns:

Sacred Voice, Vol. 1 includes a free CD with vocal tracks and minus tracks to help you learn these beautiful hymn arrangements. 

Optional violin obligatos are also included with this book. If you need cello or viola obligatos instead, all obligatos are available for free by clicking here.

This sheet music book is available in two formats: 

  • Hard-copy book with CD (spiral-bound book, shipped to your home)
  • PDF digital download with MP3s (a link to download it will be emailed to you after checkout)

A special thank you to Alan Sackett, Clayton McDonald, Katie Bastian and Jennifer Neff for singing the vocal tracks.

Posted in New CD, New Music, Vocal Solo

Marshall Writes Music for World's Largest Live Nativity

Posted on December 01, 2014 by K McDonald | 0 comments

Marshall will be part of history, helping to break the world record for the world's largest live nativity as the composer and arranger of the music track for the video due to be released mid-December.

 

The world record for the largest live Nativity will take place on Dec. 1, including performances from The Piano Guys, Peter Hollens, David Archuleta and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.  (www.facebook.com/LiveNativityWorldRecord)

(Thank you to Mack Wilberg for his arrangement of Angels We Have Heard on High).

David Archuleta, Mormon Tabernacle Choir, Piano Guys, other to participate in largest interfaith Nativity

by Sarah Peterson, Deseret News

The world record for the largest live Nativity will be challenged next week in Utah.

The event, hosted by The Radiant Foundation, will take place Monday, Dec. 1, at Rock Canyon Park in Provo. People of all faiths are invited to participate. The performance will be recorded and published on YouTube before Christmas.

The live Nativity will feature hundreds of volunteers along with YouTube celebrities and performers such as David Archuleta, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and The Piano Guys.

Singer-songwriter Peter Hollens, who has almost 80 million views on YouTube, will also participate in the production, along with Shay Carl and Colette Butler of the Shaytards, a family with more than 1 billion views on YouTube.

Other participants include singer and actor Alex Boye and YouTube sensations Devin Graham, Stuart Edgeand the creators of Cute Girl Hairstyles.

"What we’re doing is literally trying to show the world that Christmas is all about Christ, and we’re coming together with multiple faiths to show the world that we truly believe in Christ and that he is the Savior of the world, and we’re celebrating his birth," Derral Eves, one of the producers, told the Deseret News. "So we’re breaking a world record and making a YouTube video all at the same time."

Although the production will be one of the largest collaborations of its kind, Eves said the production team only recently came up with the idea.

"We’re trying to do the biggest video project in the shortest amount of time," Eves said. "To pull together over 1,200-plus extras in addition to get these big YouTubers to all come in line and come together to do this big event has been very difficult, but the miracles have been there every step of the way where it’s just very easy to make it happen. We’re keeping a log of all the miracles. It’s just amazing how everything has come together."

It all started three weeks ago when Jeff Taylor, executive creative director for Bonneville Communications, discussed with other employees what it would take to make the world's largest Nativity.

Jeff Harmon with the Harmon Brothers YouTube marketing team also joined the project and assembled people to work behind the scenes. Eves calls that group the "YouTube dream team."

"We met with the group of YouTube influencers, and 24 hours later we all just could totally see that it would make an epic YouTube video," Taylor said. "The stars are aligning, and heaven's working in our favor. ... It's come together so fast and so well. ... It's been absolutely marvelous to be part of this."

The YouTube team members were eager to invite other YouTube stars to be a part of the event.

"The biggest thing was getting the celebrities to come and do it," Eves said. "We wanted to make this an interfaith project. We wanted to make this a joint effort, and so we were looking out there at what YouTuber would really make a huge impact, and Peter Hollens and The Piano Guys came to the top of our minds."

The group contacted Hollens, who quickly agreed. He then asked musician and composer Marshall McDonald to manage the music for the event. McDonald wanted to include a performance of Mack Wilberg’s arrangement of “Angels We Have Heard on High,” featuring David Archuleta.

That decision led the team to reach out to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir to inquire if Wilberg, the choir's director, would be interested in participating.

"I called the Tabernacle Choir to try and grease the skids, and I said, ‘Have you heard of Peter Hollens?’ and they said, 'Just two weeks ago we were talking about a collaboration that we need to do with him because we love his stuff,’ ” said John Dye, a digital media strategist for Bonneville Communications. "Divine intervention definitely stepped up to the plate here."

On the night of the event, Archuleta, Hollens, The Piano Guys and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir will perform "Angels We Have Heard on High."

"It is probably one of the most, if not the most, powerful Christmas pieces I’ve heard, and it’s still in rough," Eves said. "We don’t even have Peter’s vocals in there yet. It’s just an amazing, amazing piece of composition. Marshall’s done a great job."

Before they knew it, the team had recruited some of the Internet's most popular performers.

"Every one of them felt like they wanted to contribute, and most of them had inspiration coming from on high," Eves said. "It was just like everything had been lined up. We had doors opened that are very difficult to get — all these big YouTubers that have the right time, the right schedule that they can actually do this."

People interested in being part of the live Nativity can sign up for a specific role or to participate as an angel atlivenativityworldrecord.com. Those with specific roles will be given costumes the night of the event, and the angel volunteers are asked to dress in white. Volunteers must arrive at the park by 2 p.m. and remain there until 8 p.m.

Eves explained that Radiant not only hopes to break the live Nativity record set in 2013 but also plans to make the event an annual tradition that brings the community together and highlights the true meaning of Christmas.

"We want to make a statement every year that it’s not about materialism," Eves said. "It’s not about giving presents in that regard. It’s really about Jesus Christ. It’s about serving others and coming together and making a difference in the world by sharing the gift, which is sharing our devotion of Jesus Christ."

Email: spetersen@deseretnews.com | Twitter: @Sarah_DNews

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865616473/David-Archuleta-Mormon-Tabernacle-Choir-Piano-Guys-and-other-famous-YouTubers-to-participate-in.html?pg=all

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Marshall Releases 12 New SATB Choral Arrangements

Posted on July 19, 2014 by K McDonald | 2 comments

Before releasing more piano arrangements, Marshall has wanted to publish some of his music for voice. We are excited to announce the release of 12 new sacred choral SATB arrangements

All pieces are available as either hard-copy singles or PDF downloads.

The Sacred Choral Series (SATB) includes:

The following Christmas SATB arrangements will also be available shortly:

  • Beautiful Savior (Christmas version)
  • Gesu Bambino
  • O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
  • Silent Night
  • Wexford Carol

Posted in

12 New Sacred Choral Pieces and a Sneak Peek Performance of Upcoming Vocal Solo Book

Posted on July 10, 2014 by K McDonald | 0 comments

Sacred Choral Music Review 
Friday, July 18th (1 - 3 pm) and Saturday, July 19th (10 am - noon)
Day Murray Music at 4914 South State Street, Murray, UT 84107
Admission is free, however reservations are requested by calling
(801) 266-3537 or dmmcontest@gmail.com

Before releasing more piano arrangements, Marshall has wanted to publish some of his music for voice. We are excited to announce the release of 12 new sacred choral SATB arrangements and Marshall's upcoming vocal solo book. 

To kick off this new series, Day Murray Music is hosting a choral review next Friday, July 18th from 1:00 - 3:00 pm and Saturday, July 19th from 10:00 am - noon. Come join choir directors and musicians of all backgrounds sing through each piece together under Marshall's direction, as well as hear a sneak peek performance from the new vocal solo book to be released soon.

Admission is free however if you plan to attend, please contact Day Murray Music at (801) 266-3537 or dmmcontest@gmail.com to reserve your spot and designate which review you plan to attend. Day Murray Music will provide packets of music available for attendees to purchase afterward with a 15% discount on the full packet. Individual pieces and orders for choir quantities will have a 10% discount (for choral review attendees only) through Monday, July 21st.

Music will also be available to order directly from www.marshallmcdonaldmusic.com beginning Friday, July 18th.

The Sacred Choral Series (SATB) includes:

  • Beautiful Savior
  • Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing
  • Come unto Him
  • God of Our Fathers, Whose Almighty Hand
  • How Great Thou Art
  • If You Could Hie to Kolob
  • In Humility, Our Savior
  • Joseph Smith's First Prayer (set to tune of Come, Thou Fount)
  • Our Savior's Love
  • Praise to the Man
  • Previous Savior, Dear Redeemer
  • Sabbath Day 

The following Christmas SATB arrangements will also be available shortly:

  • Beautiful Savior (Christmas version)
  • Gesu Bambino
  • O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
  • Silent Night
  • Wexford Carol

      Posted in Choral, New Music, Vocal Solo

      Musical Fireside this Sunday at the Assembly Hall

      Posted on April 08, 2014 by K McDonald | 0 comments

      This Sunday, April 13th at 7:00 pm
      The Assembly Hall at Temple Square
      50 West North Temple, SLC, Utah 84150
      Admission is free.
           
      Enjoy an evening of inspiring remarks from Area Authority Seventy Elder Peter Evans and the rare opportunity to hear Marshall McDonald's majestic arrangements backed by full orchestra (the Young Artist Chamber Players directed by Jack Ashton) and the Taylorsville Institute Singers, including:

       

        Posted in Upcoming Concerts

        Christmas Oranges Concert Coming Up!

        Posted on November 04, 2013 by K McDonald | 1 comment

        Posted in Upcoming Concerts

        New CD - Bringing the World His Truth for Missionaries Available Now!

        Posted on October 28, 2013 by K McDonald | 1 comment

        Click here to purchase - 10% off for a limited time

        • We'll Bring the World His Truth
        • Because I Have Been Given Much
        • Called to Serve
        • I'll Go Where You Want Me to Go
        • Let Zion in Her Beauty Rise
        • Help Me Teach with Inspiration
        • Praise to the Man
        • The Master's Hand
        • Ye Elders of Israel
        • As Sisters in Zion
        • Fear Not (How Firm a Foundation)
        • I Need Thee Every Hour
        • God Be With You Till We Meet Again 
        Listen to song clips or download Bringing the World His Truth from iTunes by clicking here.
          
        We live in an amazing time. Never before has the gospel reached more people and touched more lives. We are seeing before our eyes what Daniel prophesied would happen –that a stone cut out of a mountain without hands would fill the earth (see Daniel 2:44-45). For a dozen years I have taught in seminaries and institutes and never recall before this last year the brethren quoting D&C 88:73: "Behold, I will hasten my work in its time." I have heard, seen, and read this scripture dozens of times in the last year, and it seems that now is the time referred to by the Lord –especially in light of President Thomas S. Monson's historic announcement lowering the age at which young men and young women can begin missionary service.
          
        I have prayerfully sought the Spirit in arranging these sacred hymns. They brought me strength as a missionary in Buenos Aires, Argentina fifteen years ago, and they continue to inspire me today. I pray that they will help all who listen "come unto Christ" and have the courage to invite and help others likewise "come unto Christ."
          
        Special thanks to my great friend, Steven Sharp Nelson who co-wrote "Because I Have Been Given Much" and also performed the cello solo for "I Need Thee Every Hour." Thank you to Hal Romrell and the Salt Lake University Singers, Peter Steenblik and The Jordan High School Chamber Choir, as well as my beloved choir, the Taylorsville Institute Singers and Katie Bastian for her vocal solo on "Fear Not."

        Posted in New CD