Simple Gifts
Two-part Three-part
Simple Giftscame to the conscience of American music educators in 1944, when Aaron Copland composed a set of variations for his ballet and orchestral suite, Appalachian Spring.
This “Shaker Dancing Worship Song” is a choral arrangement written to fit the early adolescent changing voices.
The refrain is a modest two-or three-part contrapuntal presentation (the adolescent baritone part is present but optional). This work provides a window into America’s religious history and into American religous-folk music. Search Roger Lee Hall for indepth information.
Access the two-part and three-part variable voicing chart to see the options that are available. It is published in the three-part version only, which can be sung as a two-part setting, if desired.
Text has been attributed to Shaker Elder Joseph Brackett, Jr., 1848
Music: Shaker tradition –Dancing Worship Song
Two- and Three-part Variable Voicing with Piano
Arranger: Gwyneth Cooper
CP Catalog #T978116
This work is available in E-Print.
Order printed copies from J.W. Pepper or directly from Cambiata Press. Please remember the copyright law: it is illegal to purchase a single octavo and photocopy it.