The text of this Brazilian song and the three counter melodies are full of good humor. The rhythm and melody capture the flavor of this colorful culture, and will have immediate appeal to young singers and to conductors seeking a novelty number.

Country: Brazil

In this setting, the haunting Scottish melody is accompanied by a simple countermelody that is played by the recorder and later sung. It provides an opportunity for young singers to gain vocal control over leaps, to develop a sense of phrasing, and to experience two-part singing in a contrapuntal texture. Duration: ca. 2:30.

Country: Scotland

Juan Orrego-Sala, a noted Latin American composer, is Professor Emeritis of Composition and Latin American Music at the Indiana University School of Music. This charming set of Christmas pieces reflects his native country, Chile, not only in the language, but in the characteristic rhythms and harmonies. The second of the three, Alleluya, can be extracted for year-round performance, and, although diminutive in length, deserves a place along side the well-known "Alleluia" by Randall Thompson with whom the composer studied.

Country: Chile

Longfellow wrote the text, entitled Christmas Bells, in 1863. During that Christmas season, the poet's son was critically wounded in a war, and the text expresses his father's anguish over was and his longing for peace on earth. The message is as timely today as it was over 125 years ago.

This canon at the fourth has the simplest melodic material, which when combined in two and four voices achieves an interesting and contrapuntal effect. It can provide students an easy entrance into the flavor of the simple four-part music which sounds much more complex than it is.

If harp is not available, the accompaniment can be played by piano.

The poem which inspired this piece was written by a thirteen-year-old girl. In it, she expresses the power of fire, of its life-giving and life-consuming potential, in simple and clear form.

A beautiful melody accompanied by a simple yet lush piano accompaniment, this work provides unique moments for singers to sing expressively and create a tender mood through dynamic contrasts. With a setting of the ancient children's prayer Now I lay me down to sleep in the middle, this song reassures us that we are loved, known, and never alone. With flute part. Duration: ca. 3:45.

An imitative part and a lively counter-melody accompany the simple refrain of this spiritual, contrasted by the verse in which singing in parallel thirds is practiced.

Written mainly as SSA, this piece divides into 5 parts.

Hold the Wind, a simple yet stirring melody in the mixolydian mode, was sung by a blacksmith. The simple harmonization highlights the beauty of the melody.

Composer Mary Goetze states that this song sprang from within me as she thought about the many directors ad teachers who have dedicated their lives to children's choirs and music education - thus enriching the lives of so many children through singing. The cascading vocal parts of the refrain that move predominantly by stepwise motion as well as the optional unison verses, contribute to the accessibility of this choral work. Duration: 4:30.

Arranged with a simple and accessible vocal accompaniment that enhances the intense hope expressed in the text and melody. Stepwise contrapuntal melodic phrases and repeated harmonic patterns provide a carpet of vocal sounds for the inspiring melody. Builds to an effective climax in the coda with an unexpected harmonic turn.

If freckles were lovely and day was night. In this fun, rhythmic piece for two-part treble choir with piano, the idea of what if? is contemplated. In the end, though, it's decided that things are probably best the way they are. Duration: 3:45.

Poetry By: e.e. cummings

This short piece was written early in Schein's life and is typical of the Italian madrigal. The polyphonic writing offers each voice a melodic line to shape, and imitation to listen for the other voices. Kikkehihi is a rousing way to begin a program and to introduce the choir and audience to the charm of madrigals.

Country: Germany

Johannes Brahms delighted in the beauty of the folk songs of his homeland; he added artful accompaniments to them and arranged many for choirs.

Composer: Johannes Brahms

In three sections, this piece employs overlapping legato entries marked by mild dissonance. This piece is a model of expressive writing and sung sensitively, will be moving both to audiences and performers.

This Mary Goetze original takes the young voice into account with its smooth, accessible lines and supportive piano accompaniment. The text, while beautiful in its own right, takes on deeper meaning through some thoughtful text painting.

Arranger: Mary GoetzeMary Goetze

This familiar fiddle tune of our American heritage is arranged in a playful setting which captures the flavor of the jocular text.

Composer: Traditional | Country: United States

Mary Goetze presents here a setting of the most familiar variant of this traditional folk ballad in which two lovers make impossible requests of each other. The texture shifts from homophonic to imitative counterpoint. Brief dissonances created and resolved by stepwise progression of the accompanying voices reflect the bittersweetness of the text.

Country: England

This familiar song is set with very simple ideas which complement and support the motion of the beautiful melody. The accompanying voices can be learned quickly, for they sing like melodies and progress by step.

Country: United States

The text for Sing as the Prairie was written by John Neihardt, who was revered by Nebraskans as their poet laureate. Because his love of nature is evident in each phrase, the music incorporates the enchanting sounds of nature and the prairie.

Country: United States

Musical elements of the setting of this William Blake text, such as the piccolo in the Dorian mode and occasional open fifths at cadences evoke the life described in the poem. Available for 3-Part Treble and Piccolo. Performance Time: Approx. 4:00.

This evocative setting reflects the relationship Native Americans have with the earth, animals and nature. Available for 4-Part Treble and SATB. Performance Time: Approx. 4:40.

Country: Native American

The vocal line flows forward in beautifully shaped phrases over the continuous motion in the piano accompaniment. The complementary movement of the soprano recorder line weaves in and out in a satisfyig counterpoint. The melody is delightfully singable and memorable; it will become a particular favorite of young singers. (1:30)

This playful song was modeled after folk songs that play with our imagination and make us laugh. Bouncy, with a Scottish lilt, snippets of folksongs are woven into the accompaniment as each verse unfolds. Easily learned and fun to sing, it will be an excellent closer or encore piece! Duration: ca. 3:00.