Multicultural Music of Many Lands and Spirituals
A la Puerta del Cielo
This lovely Spanish folk song melody has been given an original partner-song by Jill Gallina. Legato lines with a flowing accompaniment, Spanish text and interesting counterpoint of the partner-song create a wonderful teaching and learning opportunity and a beautiful performance experience for singers and audiences. Available separately: 2-part Choral; StudioTrax A/P CD.
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Artza Alinu
With great expectations of returning to Israel, this Hebrew folk song is one of the many that spoke of the dreams and desires of the homeland. This contemporary arrangement, while not traditional in sound, expresses the energy and excitement of the lyric and melody.
Ballinderry
Melancholy Ballinderry is a beautiful Celtic folk song that tells the sad story of Mary, whose beloved Phelim is lost at sea. A violin part is included with the flowing piano accompaniment, making this a lovely multicultural selection for SSA voices.
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Beyond a Dream
The tragic 2009 Haitian earthquake devastated the lives of many children in that country. Beyond a Dream incorporates the lovely Haitian lullaby Fais do do with Jill’s original music to create a heartfelt message of hope for the future of the Haitian people and all mankind. Phonetic subtext is provided for the Haitian words. “Beyond a dream, a world I see where every child walks proud and free, and knows no pain or poverty…”
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Cantate Domino
One of a number of short motets written by Italian composer, Claudio Monteverdi, this madrigal style for six voices has been set for SSA, carefully weaving selected vocal lines from the original to create this stylistically authentic edition using both energized and legato singing.
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Celebrate the Differences
a choral with lyrics stressing the beauty and individuality of each and every special being!
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Chantez Noel
This bright and joyful French tune is a favorite for many a choir and is newly arranged for mixed voices in all levels as well as for women's voices. The lyrics are in French and English, making it a fresh and stand-out choice for your holiday concert.
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Danza Danza Fancuilla Gentile
from the Classics fro Children and Youth series, here’s a spirited 18th-century Italian song that has been arranged for young voices with a phonetic pronunciation guide as well as an English translation. An energetic cross-cultural number for any time of year.
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Dona Dona
Jill Gallina has arranged this traditional Hebrew folk song, Dona, Dona, about learning of and treasuring freedom. The text is very refreshing, and will lead to discussion between teacher and students, and act as a springboard to musical interpretation. Its strong, bright style will make it a great selection for your multi-cultural needs.
Funga Alafia
This great arrangement is based on a traditional song of welcome sung throughout many parts of Africa. Greetings of good health, blessings, and peace are expressed throughout this joyful piece. Vocal speech, an additional melody, and simple choreography have been added for further expression. Available seperately: 2-Part, opt. percussion; StudioTrax CD. Duration: 2:12.
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Gia il Sole dal Gange
This standard Italian art song by Alessandro Scarlatti adheres exactly to the original piano and vocal lines. Jill Gallina has enhanced the arrangement with the addition of a second soprano and an alto vocal part that keep with the inherent harmonies of the original. A beautiful selection for women’s voices.
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Heave Away Me Jollies
Heave Away Me Jollies is a traditional sea chantey from Newfoundland. The joyful rollicking feel of the chantey lends itself to the hand claps and foot stomps included in the choral arrangement. They should be performed with gusto and spirit! During the instrumental sections, feel free to improvise and embellish with added choreography such as adding step dancing or Irish jig style dance set in front or to the side of the choir. Be sure to end the piece with a powerful accented “Heeyah! Available in SATB, TBB, 3 pt mixed and 2 pt.
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Iro Ye
This lullaby is from the Republic of Benin, a country in Western Africa. The Mina language of the traditional melody is paired with an original melody in English creating a loving partner-style song with optional flute. A simple choral piece that creates many multicultural learning opportunities and a lovely performance.
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I’se The B’Y
Young singers will love this spirited Newfoundland folk song that dances with a “sea chanty” text. There's energy from start to finish with a moving piano line that supports individual, unison, and part-singing. Great fun for your guys too!
Jack Was Every Bit a Sailor
From Newfoundland comes this comical retelling of “Jonah and the Whale,” but this time the whale gets his comeuppance! This bright and up-beat arrangement is a novel delight for both SAB and 2-part choirs.
Joshua Fit the Battle
A rockin' arrangement of the familiar spiritual, “Joshua Fit the Battle!” will bring down the house & not just the walls of Jericho! For two-part or three-part mixed voices, this dynamic showstopper is a guaranteed crowd-pleasing success!
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Kooky Kookaburra
Vocal speech permeates this new rap-style arrangement by Jill Gallina. Direct from “down under,” this popular Australian nursery rhyme is full of fun. In addition, it is a great novelty piece to teach musical elements.
Kutsu ga Naru
A beautiful Japanese folk song translated meaning “Our Shoes Make Music”, crafted into a lovely 2 part arrangement that becomes a round after sung through one time.
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La Cucaracha
Ay, ay, ay, ay!" Everyone knows this Mexican folk song, now available in a super arrangement for two-part voices. Spanish and English lyrics are included, with Spanish pronunciation as a subtext. Use the salsa-style recorded accompaniment for an over-the-top cross-cultural experience!
Lo Yisa Goy
Celebrating peace, this Hebrew folk song will delight with its spirited accompaniment, bright and fun-to-sing vocals, and easy Hebrew text that create a round for 2-part and SAB voices. A wonderful multicultural performance for any time of year.
Mambo Italiano
From Rosemary Clooney to Lady Gaga, and countless television and movie appearances in between, this hit single continues to entertain with this new choral arrangement. Upbeat, rhythmic, and pure fun, this is a perfect novelty number for any performance.
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Minoi, Minoi, Minoi
This bright and joyful song is a traditional folk song from the Samoan Islands. The word Minoi means move, and the pulsating rhythms, combined with the infectious melody sets the perfect tone for an uplifting choral experience. An easy ukulele accompaniment has been added as well as percussion parts that are all popular musical sounds of this beautiful South Pacific Island! Arranged for 2pt and 3 pt mixed voices, with optional ukulele and percussion accompaniment.
Mo Li Hua
Elegant and simple, this traditional Chinese folk song about the Jasmine flower has been arranged by Jill Gallina. A graceful flute part floats delicately above the piano accompaniment. A translation and pronunciation guide is included within the choral. “Mò Li Hua” is a strong multicultural selection for programs and festivals.
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Numi Numi
This traditional Hebrew lullaby is a lovely and sweet partner-style choral using both Hebrew and English text. A gentle piano accompaniment supports both melodies and creates a beautiful concert selection for any time of year.
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Querido Amigo
Querido, Amigo contains a wonderful bilingual text about friendship and love. The English and Spanish text speaks of acceptance and tolerance-If we could only look beyond the color of our skin, we'll find a prize before our eyes... A wonderful concert piece for any time of year or for cultural emphasis.
Songs of the Earth
This choral pairs two venerable Native American songs: a Hopi chant and a traditional Arapaho Native song. With recorders and percussion, the songs are blended together to form a partner song at the conclusion of the piece. A striking addition to your concert! Available: 3-Part Mixed; 2-Part; StudioTrax CD.
Sonntag
Brahms’ radiant Lieder is crafted into this lovely SSA choral work. Unison singing establishes the melody then breaks off into three-part harmony. Individual part-singing in the second verse makes this small masterwork an excellent teaching piece as well as a performance gem.
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The Kerry Dance
This charming arrangement stands out for its musical contrasts between lilting melodies and sad melancholic phrases, along with a surprise partner song ending. With a bright rhythmic accompaniment and additional original lyrics and melody lines, this piece works for any combination of voices with its two equal range parts.
The Risin’ of the Moon
For three-part mixed voices and optional violin, this simple Irish folk song is a nice concert or festival piece for fall or spring. Showcasing the expressive singing and dynamic capabilities of your choir, “The Risin' of the Moon” features a solo violin part. AVAILABLE: SAB, Violin; Accompaniment/Performance CD (35018420).
Two Filipino Folk Songs
"Oh, I don't want to work. No, no, I'd much rather play. Work is never fun, so I'll play on me drum all day!" Set with a bright, Calypso feel, this fun piece includes parts for claves, maracas and bongos, and the text is all in English, so it will be a snap to learn!
Turn Ye to Me
This beautiful Scottish Folk song, written in the early 1800's, has been arranged for SSA and SATB voices. The flute ,legato piano accompaniment, and a capella sections interspersed throughout the choral, are all set to a lovely melancholy melody with the recurring Gaelic words Horo Mhairi dhu appearing throughout the song.
Two Israeli Folk Songs
Shalom Alechem and Zum Gali Gali arranged for 2 pt and 3 pt voices in a rousing medley.
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Vela Sikubone
Translated as "Come forth, let us see you!" this traditional South African song is a solid opening selection for all choirs. With just a few repeated phrases in the Xhosa language, this is easy to teach and perform. Accompanied with piano or track, but you can add percussion for bongos, congas, claves, and shakers with notated parts in the score. Add some simple movement to complete the effect. available in SATB, 3 pt mixed, and 2 part.
Venga Nel Nostro Coro
Venga Nel Nostro Coro, alternatively called Canone, was originally a 4-part canon or round written by Antonio Salieri from Canons for Unaccompanied Voices. Loosely translated it means “come to the choir.” The lyrics invite those with “difficulty to come to the choir with the promise of happiness and peace.” A joyful statement indeed for the happiness that singing together can bring!
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