Cary Ratcliff's charming and refreshing oratorio Ode to Common Things is set to poetry by Chilean writer Pablo Neruda, who, over the course of his life, wrote odes to ordinary, everyday objects, five of which were chosen for the Ratcliff setting. Starting with the percussive Ode to Things, the music sweeps through many moods, moving into a deep and emotional Ode to the Bed and the reflective Ode to the Guitar. The final two movements, Ode to Scissors and Ode to Bread complete the connection to everyday life. For SATB divisi chorus, soloists, with piano reduction. Orchestra available on rental.