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In the United States, we define traditional folk music as that music which has been handed down to us from various regions of the country. Sometimes, we expand that definition to include folk tunes that exist in western music’s traditions, including folk music from England, Scotland, Ireland, France, Canada, Germany, and that list continues.
World Music is folk music too. The primary difference is that it introduces us to exciting new melodies, harmonies, and rhythms that exist outside the western music traditions. At Cambiata Press, we believe that performing the music of a student’s cultural ancestry is a powerful way to honor the varied cultural heritage that exists in our present-day choirs. This is another category that we want to grow.
It is important that the singer’s assigned part fit the vocal range of that singer. Teachers are encouraged to make small edits if necessary. Remember that young baritones may find the best fit by singing the soprano part or the alto part down the octave.
Following procedures posted at the top of the site, click, view, and hear each score.
2-PART
| Title | Voicing | Composer / Arranger |
|---|---|---|
| Las Mañanitas | S, A/CI | Mexican/D. Collins |
| Pray Tell Me, Oh, Please Tell Me | SA | Mexican/English/D. Collins |
3-PART
| Title | Voicing | Composer / Arranger |
|---|---|---|
| Good Bye Liza Jane | SAB | American/W. Ehret |
| Kum Ba Yah | S, S/A, A/C | African/American/D. Roach |
| Las Mañanitas | S, A/CI, CII/B | Mexican/D. Collins |
| Limba, Limba Sally | S, A, A/C | Guyanese/V. Bobetsky |
| Li’l Liza Jane | CI, CI/CII, CII/B | American/H. Swenson |
| Song of the Crow | SAC | Chinese/flute/V. Bobetsky |
| Shady Grove | S, S/A, A | American/M. Nichols |
| This Train | CCB) | American/B. L. Siltman |
| Waltzing Matilda | S, A/C, B | Australian/G. Cooper |
4-PART
| Title | Voicing | Composer / Arranger |
|---|---|---|
| Bingo Was His Name | SACB | English,Obscure/ D. Riley |
| Charlie Is My Darlin’ | SSCB | Scottish/C. Knight |
| Colorado Trail | treb/S, A/CI, C, B | American/J. Lyle |
| English Street Cry | S, A, A/C, B | English/H. Kicklighter |
| Green Grow the Rushes, Oh | SACB | English/B. Suerte |
| Hava Nagilah | SACB | Hebrew/A. Gaus |
| How Lovely Is the Rose (A Medley) | SSCB | D.B. Crocker |
| Nelly Bly : SACB | S. Foster/ G. Cooper | |
| Pirate Don Durk of Dowdee | SACB | D. Peninger |
| Song of the Crow | SACB | Chinese/flute/V. Bobbetsky |
| Poor Lonesome Cowboy | treb/CI, CI, CII, B | American/Giles |
Seasonal Songs with Folk Roots
2 & 3-PART
| Title | Voicing | Composer / Arranger |
|---|---|---|
| Emmanuel’s Birth | A Carol Medley; CCB | B. Siltman |
| Fum, Fum, Fum | SAC | Spanish/string bass/J. Springfield |
| Gentle Jesus | S, A/C, C/B, American/R. Cox | |
| Good Christian Men, Rejoice | SAC | German/M. Covert |
| The Holly And The Ivy | CCB | English/flutes/D. Collins |
| Jesus, Rest Your Head | S, A/C, B | American/R. Cox |
| On This Blessed Season | S/A, C/B | American/W. Ehret |
| Pray Tell Me, Oh, Please Tell Me, SAB | Mexican/D. Collins |
4-PART
| Title | Voicing | Composer / Arranger |
|---|---|---|
| Carol of the Bells | S, S/A, A/C, B | Ukrainian/C. Knight |
| Fum, Fum, Fum | S, A, C, C/B | Spanish/string bass/J. Springfield |
| Joseph Dearest, Joseph Mine | SACB | German/oboe/ W. Ehret |
| Three Easter Songs | SACB | D. Collins |
Sacred Songs with Folk Roots
2 & 3-PART
| Title | Voicing | Composer / Arranger |
|---|---|---|
| Eveningtime Medley | S, S/A, A | German/B. Ashton |
| Hail the King of Heaven | S, A/C, C/B | Polish/trumpets/W. Ehret |
| Psalm 103 | (S/A, A/CI | Russian/C. Knight |
| Psalm 103 | S/A, A/CI, CII/B | Russian/C. Knight |
| Simple Gifts | S, A/C, B | American Shaker/G. Cooper |
4-PART
| Title | Voicing | Composer / Arranger |
|---|---|---|
| How Firm a Foundation | S, A, CII, B | American/ R. Cox |
| I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say | SSCB | English/D. Collins |
Secular Songs with Folk Roots
| Title | Voicing | Composer / Arranger |
|---|---|---|
| Hear the Choir of Voices Singing | S/A, A/CI | Russian/C. Knight |
| Hear the Choir of Voices Singing | S/A, A/CI, CII/B | Russian/C. Knight. |
| My Grandfather’s Clock | S/A, C | H. Work & A. Gaus |
| My Grandfather’s Clock | S/A, C, B | H. Work & A. Gaus |
4-PART
TUNEFUL (2-PART) VARIABLE VOICING SERIES
When assessing the range suitability of the following works, begin by determining if the range fits the female voices. Secondly, determine if the range fits the male trebles, cambiatas, and baritones. Remember that young baritones may find the best fit by singing the soprano part or the alto part down an octave. Sometimes a pitch edit helps to make the work accessible. Each classroom is unique and variable voicing provides multiple possibilities. Voice assignments have been suggested, but ultimately the teacher must decide assign parts that fit the voices in the choir. Finding the right fit is key to success.
Following procedures posted at the top of the site, to click, view, and hear each score.
2-PART
| Title | Voicing | Composer / Arranger |
|---|---|---|
| Alexander’s Ragtime Band | CB | Berlin/Gaus |
| All for One World | treb/S, treb/A | D. Collins |
| Come Thou Almighty King | S/A, C | J. Yarrington |
| Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing | SA | D. Collins |
| Down The River | CB | R. Green |
| Drink To Me Only With Thine Eyes | treb/A, A/C | R. Lawrence |
| Glory to God in the Highest | S/A, C | Pergolesi/Collins |
| He’s Got the Whole World | S/A, C | G. Cooper |
| Holly And The Ivy, The | S/A/treb, C | D. Collins |
| Joy That Knows No Bounds | S/A, A/C | J. Springfield |
| O It’s Good Bye Liza Jane | S/A, CI | W. Ehret |
| Peace/Light One Candle | S/A/treb/CI, S/A/treb/CI | R. Cox |
| Poor Man Laz’rus | S, A/treb/CI) | B. Suerte |
| Prayer for Right Now, A | S/A, A/treb/C | C. Kirby |
| Simple Gifts | S/A/treb, A/treb/CI | G. Cooper |
| Spacious Firmament, The | S, A/B | cannon, Tallis/Cooper |
| Trains | SA J. Fitch | |
| Two Christmas Partner Songs | S/A/treb/B, A/CI | B. Ashton |
| Waltzing Matilda | S/B, A/C | G. Cooper |
| Watchman, Tell Us | S/B, A/C | Mason/Cooper |
| Wondrous Love | S/A, A/C | Christopher/Collins |
3-PART
| Title | Voicing | Composer / Arranger |
|---|---|---|
| Take in the Sunshine | SSA/C | B. Loper |