for SATB unaccompanied The Parting Glass is a traditional Scottish song, often sung as a farewell at the end of a get-together. Sarah Quartel's arrangement features close harmonies, idiomatic Scotch snap rhythms, and effective interjectory moments in what is a largely homophonic setting. The arrangement was made for the composer's friend Matt Jones, who served with the Canadian Military in Afghanistan in 2010-11; his deployment and eventual safe return inspired the setting of the piece. With its valedictory message, The Parting Glass would make a fitting end to a performance, perhaps as an encore item.

The Parting Glass is a traditional Scottish song purported to be the most popular parting song sung in Scotland before Auld Lang Syne. I arranged this piece for my good friend Matt Jones, who served with the Canadian Military in Afghanistan in 20102011. His deployment and eventual safe return inspired the setting of this piece. An award-winning poet and author, Matt has written extensively about his experiences with deep honesty and piercing insight. He writes: 'After you've spent the last year unlearning a whole lifetime's worth of social norms you are expected to snap back. Bam. Normal...There is no coming home, not really.' His work can be found at www.matthewjamesjones.com.