Sleep Cycle SSAATTBB - Digital Sheet Music

SKU: A0.1727463

'Sleep Cycle' consists of 7 movements (all of which may be performed separately and is available elsewhere on Sheet Music Plus) for a cappella choir. It lasts around 25 minutes. There is a range of moods, from expressively beautiful texts with lush harmonies, to fast and exciting upbeat pieces that will energise. A good choir will enjoy learning this piece. A debut recording of the cycle by the Nonsuch Singers will be released by the Convivium Label in 2026. The audio excerpt here is from a live recording and consists of 30 seconds precisely of each movement. All the audio for each movement can be heard on the composer's website.

Programme notes below showing how the texts broadly represent the different stages of the sleep cycle:

1. Be not afeard by William Shakespeare (1564-1616). The words here are taken from Shakespeare’s ‘The Tempest’ (Act III, scene II). This is the explanation Caliban gives to Stephano and Trinculo about the mysterious music they hear by magic. He compares this to a dream. It has strong imagery and seemed like a perfect introduction for the cycle. The music alternates between fast and calmer moods, echoing the light sleep of stage 1 where one can be awakened easily and experience sudden muscle contractions.

2. Sleep by Marietta Holley (1836-1926). This is a very sensuous poem, describing falling to sleep and perhaps entering the dream world. In stage 2 of the sleep cycle, the body begins to prepare for deep sleep and the heart rate slows.

3. Darkness by George Byron (1788-1824). Lord Byron wrote this poem in July 1816. That year was known as the Year Without a Summer, because Mount Tambora had erupted in the Dutch East Indies the previous year, casting enough sulphur into the atmosphere to reduce global temperatures and cause abnormal weather across much of north-east America and northern Europe. This pall of darkness inspired Byron to write his poem. Stage 3 of the sleep cycle is deep sleep where nightmares may be experienced.

4. What if you slept by Samuel Coleridge (1772-1834). This was the first poem I set and its appeal was in its simplicity, questioning a dream versus reality. I felt it was a good poem for stage 4 of the sleep cycle, where people feel disoriented if woken at this point.

5. I dream of you to wake by Christina Rossetti (1830-1894). In this poem the protagonist discusses whether it would be better to continually remain asleep and be with her beloved in her dreams rather than face the realities of life and be alone. At this stage of the sleep cycle, stage 1 (light sleep) occurs again and muscle activity slows.

6. Dream-time by Ella Higginson (1862-1940). This follows directly from the previous movement and the text paints a tranquil picture of sleep and the dreams that follow. This stage of the dream cycle is known as REM - the eyes remain closed but move rapidly from side to side, perhaps related to the intense dream and brain activity that occurs at this stage.

7. Hymn to Diana by Ben Jonson (1573-1637). I wanted to end the cycle on an upbeat note, rather than a quiet one. This poem is a simple poem to Diana (Goddess of the moon). The poem ends ‘Thou that mak’st a day of night – Goddess excellently bright’. And thus the sleep cycle begins again.