In Clam, Fine and McCord give in to their silliest selves. McCord observes how man the diner and clam the dinner (in chowder no less) both evolved from the same ancestor; man is saved from the clam's fate, according to McCord, by his own initiative and work ethic. Fine has a lot of fun with the sounds suggesting insouciance, which explains why the clam never got ahead!

Composer: Irving Fine

Originally composed in 1987 as part of an eight-section a cappella work entitled "The Ringing Place."

Composer: Meredith Monk

Old Hungarian poem.

In Kenya, the Swahili word harambee has multiple meaning. When a group of people gather to complete a difficult physical task, they often say, "one, two, thre ... harambee!!" In this context the words means: "let's go, let's get it done." A special gathering to raise money for building a church or school is also called a harambee. These gatherings often feature long speeches, music and dancing. In the context of this composition, harambee means unity - working together.

Arranger: Robert Hugh

Fine agrees with those to whom a darting (the translation of the Latin jaculus) small rodent is sinister and creepy, attributes he conveys through abrupt entrances and minor tonality.

Composer: Irving Fine

Old Hungarian poem.

In Mole McCord compares the over-soul of man, a Unitarian concept put forth by Ralph Waldo Emerson, with the limited capacities of the mole.

Composer: Irving Fine

Arranger: Walter Ehret | Composer: Thomas Morley

Based on the folk tune Ungaresca from J. Paix' Organ Book (1583).

Arranger: Lajos Bardos

Old Hungarian poem.

Contents: Usnijze mi, usnij (Go to sleep, Go to sleep) ¥ Kolyszze sie kolysz (Rock, rock) ¥ Nie piej, kurkke, nie piej (Don't crow, cock, don't crow).

Composer: Henryk Mikolaj Górecki

Composer: John Brodbin Kennedy

Here is the composer's own setting of Vuelie, used in the Disney animated feature film Frozen. Capturing the stark beauty of the frozen north, this is a wonderful selection that will expand your singers' understanding of Scandinavian music.

Composer: Frode Fjellheim | Musical: Frozen

Fine's setting of Vultur Gryphus implies a harmless creature. Instead of the movie western's ominous bird associated with death, Fine's animal seems too lazy and stupid to get his own food! Jerboa, classified as the genus jaculus jaculus, is as active and scary in Fine's world as Vultur Gryphus is laid back and friendly.

Composer: Irving Fine