A beautiful traditional Japanese folk song, Akatonbo's memorable melody sings of dragonflies in varying ways: unison, canon, accompanied, and a cappella. Gorgeous for both women's and upper elementay choirs.

Arranger: Russell Robinson | Country: Japan

The simple text of this famous Japanese children's song is paired with a beautiful English translation depicting a red dragonfly seen at sunset. The original melody melds with the original partner-song creating gentle vocal lines above a simple and supportive piano accompaniment. 2-part writing that is simply exquisite and the choral includes rehearsal suggestions for added teaching and learning.

Arranger: Greg Gilpin | Country: Japan

Ruth's captivating setting truly captures the distinctly Asian flavor of this ancient Japanese text with its haunting melody and simple harmonies, featuring open fourths and fifths. The Japanese lyrics, which alternate with the English translation, are easily learned, and both a pronunciation guide and translation are included. Reminiscent of her best-selling "In This Ancient House" (15/2407H), you won't want your singers to miss experiencing this creative-programming, multicultural gem!

Arranger: Ruth Morris Gray | Country: Japan

Ideal for introducing part singing, this lovely partner song features a traditional Japanese text paired with an English translation in a setting perfect for spring concerts. This hauntingly beautiful song will serve as a fantastic festival piece while enhancing your multicultural curriculum. Optional parts for finger cymbals and chime tree enhance the texture, and a pronunciation guide is included.

Composer: Mary Donnelly | Country: Japan

Haiku is a Japanese form of poetry comprised of three lines of five, seven, and five syllables. Jerry Estes has crafted a set of four short pieces set to original haiku... one for each season of the year. All are beautiful in their simplicity. Well suited for Orff accompaniment; bells and rhythm instrument parts are included in the publication. An outstanding learning and performing piece for 2-part choirs.

Composer: Jerry Estes | Country: Japan

These texts are taken from the Kokin Wakash , a collection of Japanese waka poetry compiled from various poets in the early tenth century. They show the passing of the season from the first buds hidden beneath the snow to the last petals washing downstream. The simple melodies and clear textures attempt to capture the poets' graceful blending of vivid natural imagery and piercing emotional perception as the sights and sounds of spring are made to express the bittersweetness of our brief existence.

Composer: Philip Reed | Country: Japan

Set to an ancient text that lauds the wonder of Mt. Fuji, composer Childs has created a majestic setting worthy of the glorious mountain and of men's choral groups.

Composer: David N Childs | Country: Japan

A tender tribute to home, this Japanese folk song's sentiment is touching to all. Includes Japanese and English lyrics.

Arranger: Philip Lawson Performed By: King's Singers | Country: Japan

"Fuyu No Uta" is a delightful song that children in Japan sing when it is snowing outside. ("Fuyu" means winter.) The text is partly in Japanese, partly in English. The use of wind chimes with the piano provide a light, supportive accompaniment to this fun piece.

Arranger: Rachel Stenson | Country: Japan

Voicing: SA | Sheet Music | $1.95 | With Piano |
(Minimum order 4 copies) | SBMP979

This traditional sounding Song of the Beach has been sung in Japan for over 70 years. The beautiful accompaniment brings to mind the peacefulness of nature described by the lyrics.

Arranger: John Higgins | Country: Japan

A traditional Japanese children's song, its melody based on the pentatonic scale. The text portrays the wondrous yet simple moments when a lotus flower blossoms and then closes. At a deeper level, the text speaks of the eternal cycle of nature. The music was set to show this eternal cycle by overlapping several layers of melodies to create a mysterious and dream-like atmosphere. The text is Japanese, the pronunciation easy as the vowels are pure as in Italian. A pronunciation guide is provided.

Arranger: Ken Hakoda | Country: Japan

In his setting of the ancient Japanese text about the sunlight that fills the sky with the return of spring, Victor Johnson has captured its mystery through haunting melodies and simple harmonies. The added instrumentation offers color and texture as well as framing the English-language middle section. A pronunciation guide is included.

Arranger: Victor C. Johnson | Country: Japan

A traditional Japanese poem is set in a twisting and turning repetitive pentatonic fashion in this serene multicultural choral. Contemporary harmonies, sung with straight tone, will challenge and delight all who perform and hear this fresh and haunting masterpiece. Add an optional tonechime or handbell.

Arranger: Ruth Morris Gray | Composer: Ruth Morris Gray | Country: Japan

This gentle Japanese folksong is artfully crafted for young choirs, piano and optional Orff instruments. Excellent multicultural feature! Available: 2-Part. Performance Time: Approx. 2:15.

Arranger: Mary Donnelly | Country: Japan

This arrangement of the Japanese children's song continues to be a popular choice for state and regional festival lists.

Arranger: Roh Ogura | Composer: Anonymous | Country: Japan

A Japanese haiku from the 19th century shapes the atmosphere of this graceful setting with gentle call and response vocal lines and an expressive accompaniment for piano or optional bass, percussion and violin (or other melody instrument). In English translation: In the stillness, fireflies are glowing over deep water. Available separately SATB, 3-Part Mixed and 2-Part. Duration: ca. 3:15.

Composer: Audrey Snyder | Country: Japan

This gentle setting of a traditional Japanese poem captures the mystery of ancient Japan, with its haunting melody and simple harmonies. The Japanese text alternating with the English translation is easy to learn and evokes images of ages past. Included are both a pronunciation and translation guide. The finger cymbals compliment the distinctly Asian flavor of this piece, featuring open fourths and fifths.

Arranger: Ruth Morris Gray | Country: Japan

This Japanese lullaby is a traditional song sung by girls far away from home as they worked as nannies in upper class households. The gentle sounds of flute and wind chimes support the plaintive quality of the melody, presented in canon and simple harmonization over the arpeggios in the piano or optional marimba accompaniment.

Arranger: Sheila Feay-Shaw | Country: Japan

A delicate melody swirls and twirls like drifting snow in this tasteful arrangement of a traditional Japanese school song. The three short Japanese phrases (and several English words) are easy-to-learn and bring to mind icy images of wintertime. Simple parts for glockenspiel, triangle, and sand blocks can be heard on the Asian-inspired SoundTrax CD and are also included in the publication.

Arranger: Lois Brownsey | Country: Japan

This energetic Japanese folksong evokes the sound of sails being raised and sings about the Kompira shrine to the god of sailors at the top of Mount Zozu. With flute and Taiko (or any other) drum. Includes parts for flute and taiko drum. Duration: ca. 3:00

Arranger: Martin Ellis | Country: Japan

An ancient Japanese folk song with a beautiful, evocative text forms the basis of this stunning work. Includes English and Japanese lyrics. Available: 2-Part. Performance Time: Approx. 3:15.

Arranger: Audrey Snyder | Country: Japan

This gentle setting of a Japanese text captures the mystery and flavor of ancient Japan and frames the middle section, which is in English. Haunting melodies and simple harmonies are complemented by the addition of optional chime tree and rain stick for a distinctly Asian mood. A pronunciation and translation guide is included.

Arranger: Victor C. Johnson | Country: Japan

This elegant 12th-century Japanese text is set to original music with respect to the Japanese sound and culture. Ethereal and refined with flute and percussion, the singer sings of a wandering stag, deep in the mountains, stepping through crimson leaves of autumn. Available: 3-Part Mixed; 2-Part; StudioTrax CD.

Composer: Ruth Morris Gray | Country: Japan

A Japanese haiku forms the framework for this gentle setting that will guarantee success for younger or less experienced choirs. The text translates as All's well that ends well and the work offers many opportunities for developing phrasing, tone and technique. Performance Time: Approx. 3:10.

Composer: Russell Robinson | Country: Japan

Appropriate for middle school or intermediate choirs, this setting of a beloved Japanese folk song features four variations of the melody. For two voices and string ensemble, the baritone doubles the altos to accommodate changing voices. Duration: ca: 3:00.

Arranger: Carol L. Matthews | Country: Japan

Built on the pentatonic scale so emblematic of Japanese folk music, this piece can be accompanied by piano and almost any treble melodic instrument. The music is simple but with grace and beauty.

Composer: Lee Kesselman | Country: Japan

This well-loved Japanese folksong tells of the beauty of cherry blossoms in the spring. Linda Spevacek has arranged the graceful melody with gentle contrapuntal lines, and optional Orff instruments and recorders. Available: 2-Part. Performance Time: Approx. 3:10.

Arranger: Linda Spevacek | Country: Japan

This well-loved Japanese folksong tells of the beauty of cherry blossoms in the spring. This setting combines graceful vocal lines with a gentle accompaniment and flute obbligato. Excellent for developing choral tone and expressiveness! Available separately: SSA, VoiceTrax CD. Duration: ca. 2:40.

Arranger: Audrey Snyder | Country: Japan

Jon Washburn has crafted a lush and dramatic setting of this traditional Japanese folksong. Using the choir as a traditional Japanese stringed folk instrument, Jon sets the mood with a gentle vocal accompaniment for a soprano solo. Soon the dynamics swell and the full sense of spring and the wonder of nature explode with vocal intensity, painting the picture of the arrival of spring.

Arranger: Jon Washburn | Country: Japan

The gentle, pentatonic melody of this popular Japanese song is supported by a Koto-like keyboard accompaniment, flute, and finger cymbals, which add a wonderful dimension of color. Most every Japanese child is familiar with this tune, which is an ode to the cherry blossom, Japan's national flower. A splendid addition to multicultural repertoire!

Arranger: Douglas Wagner | Country: Japan

Arranger: Chen Yi | Country: Japan

This charming Japanese folk song tells the story of a temple in Shojojee where racoon-like animals would dance and beat their big stomachs like drums to compete with the music from the temple monks. The repetitive Japanese text is not difficult to master; the text underlay is a phonetic transliteration. The instruments add authenticity and color.

Arranger: Wayne Bisbee | Country: Japan

This charming Japanese folk song tells the story of a temple in Shojojee where racoon-like animals would dance and beat their big stomachs like drums to compete with the music from the temple monks. The repetitive Japanese text is not difficult to master; the text underlay is a phonetic transliteration. The instruments add authenticity and color.

Country: Japan

An accessible multicultural addition, this song celebrates the Japanese culture and the ancient tradition of ancestral spirits returning to their home. With optional winds.

Arranger: Stephen Hatfield | Country: Japan

This Japanese folk song is sung during the annual Star Festival, when trees are decorated with wishes written on colorful strips of paper. Greg's partner song arrangement pairs the traditional pentatonic melody with a new countermelody and some English words by Takashi Nakamura. A pronunciation guide and translation are included in the publication. A gently flowing selection just right for beginners.

Arranger: Greg Gilpin | Country: Japan

"Kotowaza" (proverbs) are a vital part of Japanese culture and are often reflective of Japanese thought and tradition. They impart great wisdom in a very few words. These are set with the voices imitating Japanese stringed instruments creating a stunning effect. They make a powerful concert grouping when combined with "Two Japanese Proverbs" (15/1641R) also by Dr. Walth, winner of the WCDA composition competition.

Arranger: Gary Kent Walth | Country: Japan

The Japanese American composer chose three delightful, contrasting folksongs. Beautiful melody, fun rhythms, and humor are all present. A bit of staging, perhaps a dancer, could add an additional dimension to this excellent set.

Arranger: Misuzu McManus | Country: Japan

Contents: A Pleasant Landscape - A Dog Walks - Butterflies.

Composer: Wayland Rogers | Country: Japan

Ancient Asian poetry (in both Japanese and English) is skillfully set over three inspired movements, which may be performed as a set or individually. Unique and effective. Accompaniment included on PianoTrax 2 CD (00-31290).

Composer: Ruth Morris Gray | Country: Japan

"Toshima Mochi Tsuki Bushi" is a Japanese folk song from Tokyo-To (Tokyo District). It is celebratory in nature, and implies that it might be sung as a work song while pounding rice into rice balls (mochi). The making of mochi is a collaborative family activity associated with the new year.

Arranger: Wendy Bross Stuart | Country: Japan

Tsuki means "moon," and is one of just a few Japanese words sung in this pentatonic scale-based song. Other words describe the beauty of the Japanese moon throughout the year. A captivating and memorable piece.

Arranger: Lois Brownsey | Composer: Marti Lunn Lantz | Country: Japan

Very intricate rhythms combine with moving accents and contemporary harmonies to create a stylistic composition. The text is in Japanese with a simple and clear phonetic guide included.

Arranger: Gary Kent Walth | Country: Japan

The most unique multicultural piece you will sing this year. A primarily English text tells the spectacular story of an ancient Japanese fishing tradition on the Uji River. And a traditional Asian folk melody floats above a gentle koto-like piano. Magical for treble voices, and highly effective when TB singers sound like fishermen.

Arranger: Ruth Morris Gray | Country: Japan

"Umi Sono Ai" is a beautiful, beloved Japanese song that tells of a man who goes to the ocean to reflect upon his life. In each wave he sees opportunity. Though the retreat of each wave may reflect his failures, a new wave of hope soon appears. It carries him, it lifts him, and it sends him toward his destiny.

Arranger: Rachel Stenson | Country: Japan

Voicing: TTBB | Sheet Music | $1.95 | With Piano |
(Minimum order 4 copies) | SBMP974
Other Voicings: SATB