In Celebration of the Human Voice - The Essential Musical Instrument
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Wordless A Cappella Arrangements
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| The human voice is able to create all kinds of wonderful sounds so why be limited by the human vocabulary. This collection of arrangements contains hardly a word that can be found in a dictionary but rather offer a wide variety of sounds and wonderful noises that your choir is sure to enjoy performing. |
Songbooks, Arrangements and/or Media
Displaying 1-16 of 16 items.
Andy Beck : A Cappella Overtures Six world-famous opera overtures arranged for SATB choirs with a sense of adventure. Sung entirely on nonsensical "dops" and "bops," this fast-paced musical collage is guaranteed to both entertain and educate! Includes snippets from: Fidelio, The Barber of Seville, Die Fledermaus, The Magic Flute, The Marriage of Figaro, and William Tell. 
Bob Chilcott : Weather Report The weather, the most quintessentially English of topics, was the inspiration for Bob Chilcott's Weather Report, written for the BBC Singers. Chilcott weaves together a tapestry of well-known weather rhymes to create a work that is energetic, quirky, and entertaining. His choral writing is inventive and full of character, using layered rhythms and jazzy harmonies. This is a fun piece to perform, and perfect as a light addition to any concert programme.
Elena Kats-Chernin : Doo Doo was commissioned by the Fourth International Choral Symposium held in Sydney. The themes of this piece was inspired by a documentary on children in Bosnia during the war. They were playing on the exciting but dangerous side of the street while their mothers called them to go home to comparative safety. Nonsense syllables were chosen for the children's games while strong rhythms in the mixed chorus represent the war. The six solo voice ensemble is used to express the calling of the mothers. The location is not specific as war continues in many parts of the world with children suffering the most.
Erik Bergman : Dreams Dreams is in many ways a sister work to Bergman's Lapponia, particularly in terms of the sound material it uses. However, the atmosphere of the world it inhabits is more intangible and dream-like, as its name suggests. Text: wordless, duration 13 minutes.
Greg Jasperse : Voices Dances Vol 1 - 5 Voice Dance, a wordless vocal dance celebrating the human voice and the joy of singing together is perfect for any occasion. Written for nationally-known jazz educator, arranger, and vocalist Jennifer Shelton for her marriage to well-known drummer Steve Barnes, this composition will teach your ensemble blend, alternative time signature as well as the freedom found in singing together. A musical challenge your students will love. Voice Dance II, continuing the wordless vocal dance celebrating the human voice and the joy of singing together. Bright with bounce and musical joy, this piece is perfect for any occasion. VoiceDance III. Greg has created a wordless vocal dance that has an African feel full of rhythmic, percussive and forward-moving vocal expression. Use of repetitive lines allows this work to be learned rather easily. Outstanding for festivals, concerts and even multicultural events! VoiceDance IV Soft consonants fill the jazz syllables while the energetic music of rhythm and vocal textures paint an incomparable picture of vocal sound. The piece is made up of repetitive phrases and sections, so learning is easier than imagined when first hearing this extraordinary choral. Songlist: Voicedance, Voicedance II, Voicedance III, Voicedance IV, Voicedance V
Jonathan Rathbone : 1812 Overture One of the Swingle Singers' most well known vocalized overatures, this very advanced chart includes the complete work all sung with inner-changable scat syllables
Kirby Shaw : Joy Sounds A wordless, a cappella celebration of the human voice and the joy that comes from singing together. This joyful celebration of the human voice is wordless except for "Imba wimbo wakona" which is Swahili for "sing songs forever." A great showcase for jazz and pop groups! Exciting! Songlist: Joy Sounds II, Joy Sounds
Meredith Monk : A Cappella Meredith Monk is an acclaimed composer, singer, director/choreographer and creator of new opera, music theater works, films and installations. A pioneer in what is now called "extended vocal technique" and "interdisciplinary performance," Monk creates works that thrive at the intersection of music and movement, image and object, light and sound in an effort to discover and weave together new modes of perception. Here are a cappella arrangements for mixed voices of some of her works that will challenge and reward. Songlist: Astronaut Anthem, Panda Chant II, Earth As Seen From Above
Stephen Hatfield : Three Ways To Vacuum Your House These original pieces incorporates a multiplicity of multicultural influences, from Peru to Scotland. The text is a sequence of nonsense syllables, imitating the humming and muttering one does during housework. The first movement explores various hemiola patterns culminating in vocalized drum patterns modeled on Arabic and Indian traditions. The second movement, whose slow groove is derived from Reggae, incorporates tonalities and scale structures from Brazil and Lebanon. The final movement starts in Peru, and works upward through Latin America only to discover a hitherto unexplored Mexican/Scottish border. Lots of fun to both teach and sing! Songlist: Three Ways To Vacuum Your House - Part I, Three Ways To Vacuum Your House - Part II, Three Ways To Vacuum Your House - Part III
Steve Sidwell : Honda Civic "Choir" Arranged for performance as the soundtrack to a car commercial, Honda Civic "Choir" recreates the various sounds made by, in, and around a Honda Civic by using specific syllables, dynamics, and mouth shapes, alongside body percussion such as chest thumps, tapping teeth, and more. All sounds in the piece are made with the human body. Watch
Various Arrangers : Wordless A Cappella The famous jazz piano piece "Linus and Lucy' by Vince Guaraldi is often featured on the animated "Peanuts" television specials, making it extremely popular for many generations of fans. It is now available as an a cappella choral for use throughout the year, especially the holiday season. Challenging, yet accessible, this piece is a surefire novelty hit with your audiences for many years to come. "Chanson D'Amour (The Ra-Da-Da-Da-Da Song)" is the title song of one of the King's Singers best-sellling albums in a fanciful arrangement by Paul Hart. "Golliwogg's Cake Walk" - You've heard the a cappella version of this Debussy piano piece (famously recorded by the renowned Swingle Singers) on Glee. Here is a more accessible setting that will be lots of fun to rehearse and perform, and impressive in performance! "New York VoiceDance" - If you have enjoyed Greg Jasperse' VoiceDance series, you will love this new addition written for the all-camp choir at the New York Voices Vocal Jazz Camp. A dance of joy and celebration, this new VoiceDance gives the opportunity for improvisation and percussion with Greg suggests several ways to perform the piece, making it adaptable for different choirs and performance times. Stunning in its creativeness and choral excellence. Songlist: Chanson D'Amour, Linus and Lucy, Golliwogg's Cake Walk, New York VoiceDance
Various Arrangers : Wordless A Cappella for SSAA The top-selling VoiceDance, first in the SATB series, is now available for women's voices in an exciting SSAA voicing. Now treble choirs can experience the rhythmic fun and challenge of this unique vocal jazz classic! "Bumble Bee" - Shape this song to your own needs! Arranged and performed by the incredible Real Group! It is written for high school women's voices, but the optional TB line makes it a SSAATB setting for mixed choir. You may have optional guitar and electric bass play the TB part. Or let loose your vocal jazz ensemble! The flowing melody with text about nature's every day wonders requires some extra attention to rhythms, phrasing and dynamics - but it is all worth it! Songlist: VoiceDance, Bumble Bee
Various Arrangers : Wordless Vocal Jazz "Soul Bossa Nova" is not for the faint of heart! The Quincy Jones instrumental used in the Austin Powers' movies has been adapted to an a cappella vocal setting that really cooks and will totally wow your audience! Bailando is the gerund of the Spanish word, "bailar" which means to dance, move rhythmically to music, as well as to skip or bounce in a dance-like manner. This arrangement by Greg Jaspere id bound to get everybody swingin' along. "O Sapo" - In this irresistible Brazilian song setting, vocal lines imitate percussion patterns to create a truly infectious groove. "Gota" - The music line and wordless vocal jazz treatment fuses with ethnic folk music in a truly original way. A true 'performance piece' and favorite in the repertoire of Swedish vocal giants The Real Group, Gota has quickly gained recognition world wide. For vocal jazz oriented high school and beyond. Songlist: Gota, Soul Bossa Nova, Bailando, Ba Ba Doo Ba (A Jazz Improv), O Sapo
Various Arrangers : Vocalese Charts 'The Barber of Seville Overture' has been a long-time favorite in King's Singers concerts. From the subdued opening theme in the "strings" to the rousing "full-orchestra" close, this instrumental work is creatively brought to life - King's Singers style. It's hard to keep a straight face while singing this hilarious novelty arrangement of 'William Tell Overture' for "serious" choirs. Sung entirely on syllables which imitate the sounds of Rossini's original orchestral percussion, brasses, and woodwinds, this one will be best when performed tongue in cheek. And from the initial fanfare to the final cadence, seasoned choirs will sound great on the full chords and percussive "Lone Ranger" themes. 'Tango to Evora' was masterfully arranged by Vancouver Chamber Choir conductor Jon Washburn. The sensual but innocent tango melody in the choir gives an expressive background to a 'floating' soprano solo. Songlist: Tango To Evora, The Barber of Seville Overture, William Tell Overture
Ward Swingle : Swingle Classics The Swingle Singers often use "Flight Of The Bumble-Bee"as an encore piece. It has to go as fast as possible using a great variety of scat syllables in order to avoid lock-jaw. It also includes a fairly literal vocal transcription of Debussy's famous piano piece, "Claire de Lune." The tessituras are quite wide ranging from low D-flats for the basses to high B-flats for the sopranos. It is probably best sung with the help of microphones. This transciption of a Chopin "Etude Op. 25 No.9" is probably easier to sing than it is to play! It should be performed at a brisk pace, with the main melody alternating between the Tenors and the First Sopranos. "Overture to Marriage of Figaro" - It was an interesting challenge to arrange this wonderful overture for eight voices. My group has often used it to open a concert. Of course it is very difficult but quite a few choirs have managed to master it. I think it works equally well on or off mikes, as long as a proper balance is maintained among the voices. Ward Swingle Songlist: Flight of the Bumble-Bee, Clair de Lune, Etude 25 No. 9, Overture to Marriage of Figaro
Zoltan Kodaly : Mountain Nights - Songs Without Words for Women's Voices A fascinating and fun set of wordless songs by the Hungarian master. Songlist: Mountain Nights I, Mountain Nights II, Mountain Nights III, Mountain Nights IV, Mountain Nights V |
Displaying 1-31 of 31 items.
Traditional Shaker tunes are cleverly interwoven in this arrangement that blends the familiar Simple Gifts with other lesser-known gems. The creative use of rounds, two-part harmony and the unique Shaker practice of 'wordless singing' make this setting ideally accessible for a wide range of choral groups. Also included is interesting information about Shaker traditions. As an educational tool that allows singers to experience the Shaker cultural tradition, this work embodies a timeless message.
Composer: Becki Slagle Mayo
There are three sections to the piece. The audience can join in singing the opening groove. When the conductior or leader form the chorus gives the signal, the chorus goes into a second section. Because of the improvisational nature of jazz, the leader can then either return to the first section or go on the third section. During the first section, soloists should come forward to scat or create vocal drum grooves (percussion patterns made with the voice). Invite audience members to come forward to do solos. If you want, change the key of the piece or sing it fast or sing it slow or sing it slow, then fast to create vocal drum grooves to go in the background or, while the vocal drum grooves are wailing away, have the singing suddenly stop, letting the drum patterns shine out by themselves. Jazz is living music. You keep it alive by keeping it spontaneous. The piece should always end with the third section. The fast run at the end of the third section isn't so much sung, as it sounded-li
Composer: Nick Page
The pop hit by Peter Cetera for the group Chicago soared to the top of the charts in 1977 and has retained its popularity even to the present day. This a cappella setting features a wordless tapestry of vocal harmony that showcases the smooth melody as it moves from part to part. Duration: ca. 3:20.
Arranger: Philip Lawson Performed By: Chicago
In America, this popular contemporary Jewish song is often performed slowly and peacefully, but in Israel, it is performed in a quick tempo, as it is in this arrangement. Featuring both Hebrew and English, it unfolds into a spectacular whirling and wordless dance. With clarinet obbligato (part included). Duration: ca: 3:25.
Arranger: Nick Page | Country: Israel
This wordless vocal jazz piece is a new original. Music by Jack Donahue and New York Voices member, Peter Eldridge, this bossa nova work includes rich harmonies with idiomatic Brazilian syncopations. Arranged by Peter and fellow NYV member, Darmon Meader, this recording of Chamego (Betty's Bossa) is from the New York Voices recent CD release, A Day Like This (permission granted by MCG Jazz, www.mcgjazz.org).
Arranger: Peter Eldridge | Composer: Peter Eldridge
This pair of novelty nonsense-syllable settings is fine fare for choirs with a fondness for funny! Easier to achieve than similar songs, these Classical era tunes guarantee a chuckle. Performs well as a set or as individual pieces.
Arranger: Ruth Morris Gray
Sung to the sound-syllable of "Hai," the more rhythmic sections of this traditional Hebrew piece are imitative of the Niggun, wordless songs from the Jewish people of Eastern Europe. Contrasting vividly with these frenzied, accelerating niggun interjections are lyrically legato sections combining for an exciting, culturally exotic piece. (IPA pronunciation guide and translation are provided.)
Composer: Lee R Kesselman
Here is the famous theme from the motion picture The Mission by Ennio Morricone in a distinctive and stunning setting written for the choral group, Conspirare. With the choir providing a rich wordless tapestry of sound, the featured duo of cello and oboe will create an atmosphere of pure magic! Duration: ca. 2:20. Recorded by Conspirare, Craig Hella Johnson, conductor.
Arranger: Craig Hella Johnson | Composer: Ennio Morricone | TV/Movie: The Mission
Commissioned for the 2012 London Olympics, this work is primarily wordless, apart from the short Latin phrase Gloria in Londinium, invictus, invicta to symbolize the coming together of athletes and artists from around the world. The effect with innocent young voices is enchanting!
Composer: Kathleen Shanks
Pronounced 'geu-ta' (hard 'g') - has its name from the Faeroe Islands in the Northern Atlantic. The music line and wordless vocal jazz treatment fuses with ethnic folk music in a truly original way. A true 'performance piece' and favorite in the repertoire of Swedish vocal giants The Real Group, Gota has quickly gained recognition world wide. For vocal jazz oriented high school and beyond.
Arranger: Peder Karlsson Performed By: The Real Group
Jackson's Carol should be sung with childlike simplicity and joy. It is the song of a wordless child.
Composer: Lee Kesselman
This joyful celebration of the human voice is wordless except for "Imba wimbo wakona" which is Swahili for "sing songs forever." A great showcase for jazz and pop groups!
Arranger: Kirby Shaw
Bohm bayo, wayo, bohm bye ah. Written for young singers, this joyful wordless original is an optimistic celebration of life! Easily learned, it will thrill your singers and listeners!Available separately: 3-Part Mixed and 2-Part. VoiceTrax CD also available. Performance Time: Approx. 2:10. Discovery Level 2.
Arranger: Kirby Shaw
The layered wordless accompaniment provides a steady and soulful underlay for the sweet pop melody and lyrics of the Bruno Mars chart-topper. Perfect for Valentine's Day, prom, spring concert or any romantic occasion!
Arranger: Chris Peterson | Composer: Billy Joel Performed By: Bruno Mars
This famous jazz piano piece by Vince Guaraldi is often featured on the animated "Peanuts" television specials, making it extremely popular for many generations of fans. It is now available as an a cappella choral for use throughout the year, especially the holiday season. Challenging, yet accessible, this piece is a surefire novelty hit with your audiences for many years to come.
Arranger: Philip Kern | Musical: Peanuts
Malakatumba was born as a game, using imitating sounds and vocables that could form words with resonances t other languages. there really is no meaning to the sounds. It opens with a 4 voice canon on top of a 3 voice harmonic base. Each voice builds a fun ostinato with colorful harmonies and the use of body percussion as a festive element. It is a work that invites you to dance and sing with joy and rhythm.
Composer: Josu Elberdin
The melody of this traditional Irish folk ballad begins in unison and then cascades into a contrapuntal wordless vocalise that mirrors the imagery of the text. Beautiful a cappella harmonies are created from beginning to end, expressing a dialogue of love and joy - a wonderful opportunity for poetic exploration of meaning.
Arranger: Robert S. Cohen | Country: Ireland
You'll please all the jazz aficionados in your crowd with this mesmerizing setting of the Miles Davis classic. The wordless syllables create a colorful palate of imaginative textures and vocal sounds. Available separately: SATB, ShowTrax CD. Rhythm parts available digitally (pno, gtr, b, dm). Duration: ca. 4:00.
Arranger: Paris Rutherford Performed By: Miles Davis
O Saya was written for the Oscar winning film Slumdog Millionaire. The song appears at the beginning as we are introduced to just how horrible living conditions are in the slums of India. The lyrics have no meaning, nor does the title. They are just nonsense syllables that form a wail. The melodic patterns are based loosely on the patterns one might hear in the slums as the Muslim call to worship blasts from the minarets, but they are more a call to action than a call to prayer. When people sing this piece, hopefully they will consider taking some action against poverty themselves.
Arranger: Ethan Sperry | Composer: A.R. Rahman | Country: India | Musical: Slumdog Millionaire
The American composer William Schuman (1910-1992) wrote works in virtually every musical genre, each mirroring his strong personality in their sharply defined sense of structure, line, and dynamism. This short wordless composition for women's chorus and piano dates from 1942 and was written for the Sarah Lawrence Chorus.
Composer: William Schuman
One of the most treasured songs of all time, Gershwin's highly evocative writing mixes elements of jazz with artsong to create a masterwork of the 20th century. This tasteful choral setting weaves the melody through different voices with wordless choral textures, forming a rich backdrop of sound. Starting rubato, a full dynamic range and a dramatic piano accompaniment add to the emotion.
Arranger: Mac Huff | Composer: George Gershwin | Lyricist: Ira Gershwin | Musical: Porgy and Bess
Premiered at the 2001 Pacific Rim Choral Festival, this famous Chinese melody was written by the 19th century blind musician Ah Bing. This arrangement by Leon Shiu-wai Tong features traditional Chinese instruments (which could be performed on mandolin and violin) and the beautiful wordless vocal harmonies of this treasured work.
Arranger: Leon Shiu-wai Tong | Country: China
From the opening strains, everyone will recognize the quirky, jazzy theme by Henry Mancini! Younger singers will beg to sing this well-crafted arrangement with scat lyrics! Available separately: 3-Part Mixed, 2-Part, VoiceTrax CD. Duration: ca. 3:00.
Arranger: Roger Emerson | Composer: Henry Mancini | Musical: Pink Panther
What do you get if you combine the Pink Panther theme with a hot Latin beat? La Pantera Mambo! Vocal jazz choirs, pop choirs, all choirs will love to perform this sizzling salsa setting! A fabulous hook for a concert!
Arranger: Kirby Shaw | Composer: Henry Mancini | Musical: Pink Panther
Your men will be cooler than cool, scatting this catchy movie theme! The opening riff is "ba dop ba da," with finger snaps. Then the voices imitate the horns. A favorite in all voicings!
Arranger: Jay Althouse | Composer: Henry Mancini | Musical: Pink Panther
Here is the famous Rossini overture in a rollicking arrangement for a cappella choruses and ensembles! The familiar melodies and clever vocal effects make this ideal for a lighter concert moment or an encore. Challenging, but fun to rehearse and perform!
Arranger: Philip Lawson | Composer: Gioachino Rossini
This original piece incorporates a multiplicity of multicultural influences, from Peru to Scotland. The text is a sequence of nonsense syllables, imitating the humming and muttering one does during housework. This first movement explores various hemiola patterns culminating in vocalized drum patterns modeled on Arabic and Indian traditions.
Arranger: Stephen Hatfield | Country: Canada
Rachmaninoff knew how to make a melody turn and stretch and draw the listener in to its flow. This arrangement for treble choir lets the voices carry the famous tune, sharing in harmony or even moving into counterpoint at times. Veteran pianist Jan Sanborn supplied her expertise to the piano accompaniment. A great concert choice for treble choirs of all ages. Easy to medium in difficulty.
Arranger: Allan Robert Petker | Composer: Sergei Rachmaninoff
Russian composer Sergei Rachmaninoff's beloved Vocalise for voice and piano is one of 14 Songs, Opus 34 written between 1910-1912. The uniquely wordless and lyrical melody lends itself perfectly to treble unison singers. Duration: ca. 4:00. Performed by Anima-Young Singers of Greater Chicago. Emily Ellsworth, conductor.
Arranger: Doreen Rao
Voice Dance, a wordless vocal dance celebrating the human voice and the joy of singing together is perfect for any occasion. Written for nationally-known jazz educator, arranger, and vocalist Jennifer Shelton for her marriage to well-known drummer Steve Barnes, this composition will teach your ensemble blend, alternative time signature as well as the freedom found in singing together. A musical challenge your students will love.
Arranger: Greg Jasperse
Chinese-born Huang Ruo is a bright new presence on the contemporary music scene. In this work for chorus and semi-chorus, finger bells and gently shifting harmonic textures create an atmosphere of contemplation and reflection. Performance time: Approx. 6:25.
Composer: Huang Ruo
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