All Fly Around! For the Elementary Choir Friday, September 27, 2019
recommended by Jen Sper and Lora Moore, School Choral and Classroom Music Specialists
Start the school year with one of these new options for your young choirs, specially selected for singers in grades 3-6:
All Fly Around arr. Emily Crocker, 2-part with piano and optional fiddle
An American folk tradition, “play party” songs like “All Fly Around” became popular in the mid-1800s due to the need for interaction and entertainment at social gatherings as a result of religious prohibition of singing and dancing. Emily Crocker arranges this bright, country-flavored knee-slapper with an included fiddle part for those able to accompany their young singers in a celebration of dance and song!
Calico Cat by Andy Beck, 2-part with piano
“Black as the midnight, and white as the snow; gold as the sunshine, my cat of calico.” A bouncy and buoyant melody is supported by a folk-song-style piano accompaniment and some easy-to-sing harmonic patterns in this truly charming 2-part original by Andy Beck. Singers won’t be able to get enough of the tongue-twisting patter text as they tell the tale of the whimsically colorful cat. Directors can take special pride in teaching the optional cue notes and accented descant that adds a fluffy coat near the end.
Catch a Falling Star arr. Mac Huff, Unison/2-part with piano and optional flute
A simple bossa nova chorus giving way to jazzy swing verses gives this Perry Como favorite a breath of fresh air. With an optional, accessible flute part, this breezy arrangement contains elements of singing in a round, thus giving the piece a spontaneity that will keep your audience humming along!
Cornstalk Fiddle and a Shoestring Bow arr. Mark Burrows, 2-part with piano and optional kazoos
Yee haw y’all!! Grab a kazoo and have a hoe down good time singing this knee-slappin’ American folk song for two-part ensembles. With or without the kazoos, a great time will be had by all in learning and performing this adorable, fun arrangement by Mark Burrows!
Gather Love All Around arr. Greg Gilpin, 2-part with piano
Based on the traditional Shaker tune, Gilpin has created this delightful arrangement by adding some of his own creative words and music. The piano accompaniment is lively and bouncy, creating a strong dance-like feel which supports the whimsical melody. The middle section showcases the layering of three independent parts (the added part could be a Descant or Solo) which adds to the fun and momentum of this terrific concert/festival selection for young choirs.
Sunset (The River Sleeps Beneath the Sky) by Mary Donnelly & George L.O. Strid, 2-part with piano and optional flute, glockenspiel & bass metallophone
With parts for Orff instruments (Glockenspiel and Bass Metallophone) and flute, here is a beautiful and thoughtful setting of the Paoul Laurence Dunbar poem. Unison voices anchor the beginning of the song followed by two-part part writing that allows for vocal independence. This is a wonderful vehicle for your students to discover dynamic contrasts, beautiful word painting and a chance to discover one of America’s earliest and most important African-American poets.
Who Has Seen the Wind? by Mark Patterson, Unison/2-part with piano
What things in our world are like the wind: unseen or intangible, yet we know they are there? Mark Patterson’s lyric melodies, laden with range extension and text painting, pair exquisitely with Rosetti’s well-known poem, exploring answers to these questions. For emerging or advanced treble choirs, “Who Has Seen the Wind?” will enhance any concert or festival program.
Find more options for young choirs on our website, or contact us for more recommendations. Shop Stanton’s for all your sheet music needs!
About the Authors:
Jen Sper has been with Stanton’s since 2006. A former middle school and high school choral director, she holds a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Baldwin Wallace College Conservatory of Music. An active choral singer and accompanist throughout the Central Ohio area, she also enjoys good food, running (to counteract the good food…) and the Muppets.
Lora Moore joined the Stanton’s choral staff in July 2018. A former middle school and high school director of 32 years, she holds a Bachelor of Arts in Choral Music from Capital University and a Master’s of Arts in Choral Music from The Ohio State University. Currently she is a church choir director, operates a private voice/piano studio and is active as a clinician and accompanist. During the off hours, Lora enjoys scouting out new day trips in Ohio to balance what her budget allows for her frequent trips to New York City to visit family and take in a Broadway show or two!