Ethnic Music

Harlan Zackery, Jr., Ethnic Music R&R Chair

Ballinderry

SSA, piano and violin

Traditional Irish Folk Song

Arranged by Jill Gallina

Shawnee Press/Hal Leonard 35028216

This melancholy piece is a great introduction to Irish folk music for your choir.  This piece has simple, repetetive melodies supported by a flowing piano accompaniment.  The lilting violin solo adds another exiting dimension.  Great piece for teaching/reinforcing reading of triplets and dotted quarter rhythms.  In the arranger's words, "Ballinderry in Irish means 'town of the oak wood' and...tells the sad story of Mary whose love Phelim was lost at sea."

Oye

SATB, piano, opt. percussion and bass

Words and Music by Jim Papouvlis

Edited by Francisco J. Nuñez

Boosey & Hawkes/Hal Leonard 48019428

Oye, which translates as "listen" or "listen up" is an exuberant piece which was born out of a songwriting workshop for children from economically disadvantaged areas in Acapulco, Mexico.  This piece works well for sacred or secular programs on social justice or as a high energy opener or closer.  The piano accompaniment and vocal lines are at times rhythmically intricate, ornamented by shaker, agogo, conga drum, cowbell and bass.  

Three Rhythmic Spirituals

SATB, soli and piano

William Grant Still

Bourne/William Grant Still Music (no catalog number available)

A charming set of, as the title states, rhythmic spirituals by Mississippi-born composer, William Grant Still. The first piece of the set is Lord I Looked Down the Road, scored for soprano and tenor soloists, chorus and piano.  The latter two pieces,  Hard Trials, and Holy Spirit, Don't You Leave Me  are written without soli.  The entire set, lasts less than 10 minutes and has many early gospel and blues inflections.  Your chorus is sure to enjoy them!

Slave Songs of the United States

William Frances Allen, Charles Pickard Ware and Lucy McKim Garrison

Dover 1995 Reprint

ISBN-13 978-0486285733

This resource is a fascinating anthology of spirituals, slave songs, calls and responses.  Most of the entries in this book are transcribed directly from first hand sources.  This is wealth of information for those studying performances practice or seeking material for arranging.  A valuable piece of American history!