Creative Programming: For Tenor/Bass Ensembles Wednesday, June 09, 2021
5 folksongs for Men’s Choirs
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recommended by Jen Sper and Lora Moore, School Choral Music Specialists
Carnavalito arr. Will Lopes, TTBB a cappella with body percussion
Here is an awesome a cappella arrangement of a Bolivian folk song that is rhythmic and a bit of a challenge, but well worth the rehearsal time. Vocal percussion and body percussion as well as simple choral movements make the piece come alive with rhythm and dynamic movement. A real showpiece for choirs that can handle it!
Ho Boys Can’t Line Em arr. Anthony Trecek-King, TTBB a cappella
This work song portrays the conditions in which African Americans found themselves living and working during the post Civil War reconstruction. Written in a call-and-response style with rhythms that imitate the task of lining out a railroad track. This is an incredibly dynamic work for TTBB chorus.
Obwisana arr. Victor C. Johnson, TB a cappella with percussion
This charming Ghanian folksong arranged by Victor Johnson is full of vocal pairings, hand claps, optional descant, percussion, and call-and-response opportunities. Emerging tenor-bass ensembles of all sizes will sound amazing singing “Obwisana.”
Johanna (from Sweeney Todd) arr. Mac Huff, TTBB with piano
From the Stephen Sondheim musical “Sweeney Todd,” this beautiful tenor “aria” is sung by Anthony in Act 1 as he dreams of this beautiful and enchanting character Johanna. In Act 2 Anthony searches through the streets for Johanna trying to rescue her from Sweeney. Todd joins in the song as he dreams of her beauty and the asylum he has her stashed. This is a show stopper for men’s choirs.
In Dreams by Zebulon Highben, TTBB a cappella
This beautiful setting of a Rossetti text is a true gem for a tenor-bass choir. Three verses in length, framed with doo-doo-doo vocables, this a cappella work has much to offer to a mature ensemble.
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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!