Ethnic Music

Scott Sexton, Ethnic Music

Red Dragonflies (Japan)

SSA

Yamada, arr. Ruth Dwyer

Colla Voce 21-20266

Though this piece is not a folk song, “Red Dragonflies” is full of teaching opportunities for a late elementary ensemble or a beginning junior treble choir wishing to move from 2-part to 3-part repertoire. It is a short piece and the part-work is minimal; however, it features a lovely unison legato and pentatonic melody throughout the piece. The text alternates between Japanese and English and I feel this piece would serve as an excellent introduction to any director wishing to explore repertoire in East Asian languages.

La Violette (Canada)

SSAA

Acadian folk song, arr. Susan Brumfield

Colla Voce 21-20251

Who said that you had to leave our continent to find quality multicultural music to use with your ensemble? “La Violette” is an Acadian (people of French ancestry in parts of French-Canada/Quebec) folk song. Susan Brumfield has done a superb job in arranging this piece for SSAA choir. Don’t let the 4-part voicing scare you away- there are sections of unison melody and the part-work is super accessible for a good children’s choir, as well as middle or high school women’s ensembles.  The accompanying hand drum and triangle parts are easy enough to have a student play the part- no hired professional needed!

Hlohonolofatsa (South Africa)

SATB

Sesotho praise song, arr. Daniel Jackson

Walton 1588

I learned an arrangement of this piece from African friends 10+ years ago. It’s good to see that these fun African choral arrangements are starting to be published and made accessible for everyone! Daniel Jackson has masterfully arranged this piece into a fun SATB work. Feature some of your stronger soloists in some fun call-and-response sections. Add some percussion and a few appropriate dance moves and you have a stunning processional or concert closer.

Raising the Bar: Choral Volumes

Patty Cuyler and Mollie Stone are master teachers of multicultural choral music. Their travels have led them to South African, Georgia, and Bulgaria, where they have done in-depth studies of the music of these regions. Their work has resulted in publication of “Raising the Bar: Choral Volumes”. Each book/dvd set offers historical/cultural background, pronunciation guides, numerous songs and demonstrations by both native choirs of these countries and the Chicago Children’s Choirs. These are available at both West Music and JW Pepper.