Vocal Traditions Choral Series

An exciting collection for all grade levels, drawn from or inspired by music of many cultures, arranged by musicians from those cultures in traditional settings with accurate translations. Add a strikingly different sound to your programs with these unusual arrangements of truly unique songs. Most pieces include small percussion ensembles incorporating typical rhythms, piano and guitar accompaniment (as appropriate), pronunciation/transliteration for foreign languages, and notes about cultural context of the pieces.

*= Individual Demo recordings available, many with pronunciation (not for use in performances)

View choral publications by culture area:

Africa

• Chi Chi Cha: A Driving, percussive piano accompaniment and vocals based on multipart styles from Zimbabwe make this SATB 4-8 part syncopated piece take off within four bars. In English, with percussion parts, gr.8-12. (Words & music: J. C. Tucker)
• N'kosi Sikelel' i Afrika: The stirring pan-African national anthem ("Prayer for Africa") in the version sung by Joseph Shabalala and Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Paul Simon and thousands of others during the Graceland African concert.Inc. historical notes,accurate singable translation. Gr. 6+(may be sung in 2 or 4 parts) (Nick Page & Joseph Shabalala)
• Rooftop Rhythm: A sizzling rhythmic speech and percussion ensemble in 4 parts (3 ostinati). Kids love the jazzy rhythms, scat phrases, and rap-style poetry. Simple perc. parts based on West African rhythms. Gr. 5+. (J. Cook Tucker)
• Somagwaza: A spirited multipart ceremonial song from South Africa, in the 3-part arr. sung by Pete Seeger with enthusiastic audiences of all ages. Notes. Perc. 9-12.
• *Vamudara: Exciting multipart dance song from Zimbabwe arr. by Shona musician Dumisani Maraire. 4 short, dynamic parts that interlock. Guaranteed to escalate the energy of any high school program. Perc., notes, translation. In Shona.9-12; SATB Click to listen!
• *Wonfa Nyem: A song from Ghana sung at festivals or funerals to remind listeners how important it is to be an active part of your community. Slow start, uptempo second section reminiscent of New Orleans funeral processions. Allows for small groups or soloists in simple divisi parts, has few words but is full of meaning. Notes, perc,; handclaps; movement; Arr. by A. Adzenyah as sung by the Akrofor Youth Choir of Ghana. Best 9-12. SATB A cappella Click to listen!

^ Back to top

African American

• Kwanzaa Suite: A Musical Celebration (2 parts+piano/percussion) Words and Music by Stan Spottswood; performed by the Stan Spottswood Combo. The history and meaning of Kwanzaa in song. 9 copy-OK songs that may be done as a full 1/2 hour program with narration, or individually. Demo and performance CD included. Read complete description! Click to listen!
• Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility): (2-part treble or mixed, piano and simple percussion). Words and Music by Stan Spottswood. Two energetic interwoven voice parts, a meaningful "rap" section accompanied by piano and a strong (but easy) percussion ensemble bring home the message of Kwanzaa Principle #3: Ujima. (One of the nine songs in Kwanzaa Suite by Stan Spottswood. See full description.) Click to listen!
• Yonder Come Day: Based on a traditional Georgia Sea Islands spiritual, with add. rhythmic speech section. 2 or 3 easy parts, great for concerts (audience can join in on the chorus). A cappella. (Arr. Judith Cook Tucker)

^ Back to top

Asia

• *Joban Tanko Bushi: A well-known Japanese work song of the miners of Ibaragi Prefecture. In three interesting parts including typical vocal embellishments; in Japanese. (Arr. Wendy Stuart) Click to listen!

^ Back to top

Caribbean

• El Mambí:A traditional Cuban criolla. Brought the house down at the Second International Choral Festival of Havana. Fabulous for middle school or high school festival choirs. Voices, piano, simple percussion, and solo flute (recorder or whistle) interlude. Luis Casas Romero, Sergio Lavilla; arranged by Carlos Abril.) Click to listen!
• La Paloma Se Fue: A touching Puerto Rican children's song of growing up (the bird that has flown, never to return). In Spanish and English, with hand gestures. SA, simple piano, guitar, perc.(Arr. Alejandro Jimenez)
• Ogguere:An old Cuban lullaby by Gilberto Valdes. Arranged for unison voices by Carlos Abril. Piano/percussion/flute or recorder/optional Orff instrumentation. Includes cultural context.)
• Oh, What a Day: The days of the week with a Calypso beat and bright melody. Unison voices, simple percussion, piano or guitar. K-6.(Words & music: J. Cook Tucker)
• Que Bonita Bandera: A catchy, patriotic song from Puerto Rico. Simple Sp./Singable Eng., steps, piano, perc. chords.SA/SATB Gr. 4+ (Arr. Alejandro Jimenez)
• Si Me Dan Pasteles: A Puerto Rican folk song sung as villagers stroll through early morning streets during the Christmas season. Authentic jibaro arr. by Puerto Rican musician and music teacher Alejandro Jimenez. SA or SATB (easy, 7-12) in Spanish. Perc., piano/guitar,opt. recorders/Orff instr. Transla; notes. Click to listen!
• Somos el Barco: Lilting, moving song of world unity in Spanish and English , sung by Pete Seeger, Arlo Guthrie, the Clancy Brothers, & enthusiastic audiences & congregations all over the world. Arr. may be sung in uni. or any combination to full SATB (Sop. or Tenor solo possible). Pete Seeger said, "One of the best songs of this century. Our children's children will, God willing, be singing Somos el Barco." Piano, guitar. (Words & music: Lorre Wyatt.)
• Uno, dos y tres: A lively Cuban "conga" with lots of room to move for unison/two voices, piano, perc., notes, translation. Arranged by Carlos Abril. In Spanish.

^ Back to top

Europe

• *Adijo Kerida: A Sephardic Jewish Folksong "Farewell, Beloved" in Ladino, arranged by Joshua Jacobson, director of the Zamir Chorale, Boston. SATB; with amazing harmonies, quite a strong rhythm and exotic presence. Piano and/or Guitar.
• *Ale Brider: A joyful song of unity, in Yiddish. Call/response, easy chorus, lots of fun! Demo inc. pronunc. (Arr. J. Jacobson)
• Bizakodo (Hungarian Canon): A powerful-sounding canon in the original Hungarian with an accurate singable translation. Bardos.
• *Dowidzenia: A sweetly melancholic canon in Polish & English‹Farewell, my friend until we meet again. Andrea Schafer. Un.-4pts. Opt. piano./opt. Orff instrument accompaniment. Click to listen!
• *If There Were Nothing Else...: ...but nature, still I would enjoy this world.By beloved Czech composer Petr Eben. In Czech/English. SSA/Piano Click to listen!
• Lulajze Jezuniu: Lovely, melodic Polish lullaby for the baby Jesus. In two sensitive parts, piano and optional Orff instrumentation. Notes, translation. Arranged by Andrea Schafer. In Polish.
• The Mayer's Carol: Celebrate Spring with this traditional lively May song from England. Perfect for launching a day of Maypole dancing. Piano, perc., opt. Orff instrument arr.; opt. recorder. Unison (multiple soloists possible)/SA (Arr. Paul Kerlee) Click to listen!
• Somos el Barco: Lilting, moving song of world unity in Spanish and English, sung by Pete Seeger, Arlo Guthrie, the Clancy Brothers, & enthusiastic audiences & congregations all over the world. Arr. may be sung in uni. or any combination to full SATB (Sop. or Tenor solo possible). Pete Seeger said, "One of the best songs of this century. Our children's children will, God willing, be singing Somos el Barco." Piano, guitar. (Words & music: Lorre Wyatt.)
• *Two Winter Songs: Snow and The Sparrow, unison voices, piano. By the beloved Czech composer Petr Eben. In Czech/English. Click to listen!
• Vem Kan Segla: A haunting song of farewell-to-friends from Aland, a Swedish-speaking island of Finland, arr. by Bob Walser. Unison/2-part treble voices or mature voices in octaves; piano. opt. recorder. String ensemble parts avail. separately.
• *Zol Zain Sholem (Let There Be Peace): A joyous Yiddish call-and-response song from Eastern Europe. Arr. Joshua Jacobson. med. Piano. Click to listen!

^ Back to top

Jewish

• *Adijo Kerida: A Sephardic Jewish Folksong "Farewell, Beloved" in Ladino, arranged by Joshua Jacobson, director of the Zamir Chorale, Boston. SATB; with amazing harmonies, quite a strong rhythm and exotic presence. Piano and/or Guitar.
• *Al Giv'ot Sheikh Abreik (On the Hills of Sheikh Abreik): Music: Mordekhai Zeira; Lyrics: ALexander Pen; Arranged by Joshua Jacobson and Leon Sher. A stirring, dynamic song of the early 20th-century pioneers who settled the barren land that became the state of Israel. For gutsy alto soloist(s)+SATB, piano/guitar, clarinet and dumbek drum. In transliterated Hebrew. Includes cultural context, translation. Click to listen!
• *Ale Brider: A joyful song of unity, in Yiddish. Call/response, easy chorus, lots of fun! Demo inc. pronunc. (Arr. J. Jacobson.)
• *Around the Campfire: A medley of three Jewish folksongs in lively, not difficult, arrangements: Finjan, Zemer Lach and Rad HaLailah (the last two are horahs.) Hebrew/Singable English. Raise your high school roof with this suite. Suitable for SATB/SAB. Piano, (opt. clarinets, elec. bass percus.) (Arr. Joshua Jacobson, Zamir Chorale.)
• *Dodi Li: An Israeli song with music by Nira Chen and slow, sensual arrangement by Joshua Jacobson, director of the Zamir Chorale of Boston. This is not the way you remembered this song! Be surprised! Hebrew with opt. Piano, clarinet, flute and perc. SATB. Particularly nice as a companion piece for "Erev Shel Shoshanim."
• *Erev Shel Shoshanim: A delicate Israeli folk song, with the open feeling of the desert at night while the scent of roses drifts on the cool air. Vocals weave in a sensitive arrangement complemented by a fluid, but not difficult piano accomp. SATB, 8-12. Translation; pronunc. Click to listen!

  "I can't imagine any SATB choir that wouldn't instantly fall in love with this one...Wow!"

  - Doug Troutman, CMEA News. (Arr. Jack Klebanow)

• Hag Shavuot: A lively Israeli song for a springtime harvest festival. Trad. dance steps ok for risers. Transliterated Heb/Singable Eng. translation. Piano, trad. perc.Un/SSA/SAB.Gr. 3+. (Arr. J C Tucker)
• Look To The Light : Three historic vignettes for Hanukah. (Music by Meira Warshauer, lyrics by Rabbi Dan Grossman) Click to listen!
• *Zol Zain Sholem (Let There Be Peace): A joyous Yiddish call-and-response song from Eastern Europe with verses about Hanukah. Arr. Joshua Jacobson. med. Piano. Click to listen!

^ Back to top

Latin America

• El Mambí: A traditional Cuban criolla. Brought the house down at the Second International Choral Festival of Havana. Fabulous for middle school or high school festival choirs. Voices, piano, simple percussion, and solo flute (recorder or whistle) interlude. Luis Casas Romero, Sergio Lavilla; arranged by Carlos Abril.) Click to listen!
• La Paloma Se Fue: A touching Puerto Rican children's song of growing up (the bird that has flown, never to return). In Spanish and English, with hand gestures. SA, simple piano, guitar, perc.(Arr. Alejandro Jimenez)
• Ogguere: An old Cuban lullaby by Gilberto Valdes. Arranged for unison voices by Carlos Abril. Piano/percussion/flute or recorder/optional Orff instrumentation. Includes cultural context.)
• Oh, What a Day: The days of the week with a Calypso beat and bright melody. Unison voices, simple percussion, piano or guitar. K-6.(Words & music: J. Cook Tucker)
• Que Bonita Bandera: A catchy, patriotic song from Puerto Rico. Simple Sp./Singable Eng., steps, piano, perc. chords.SA/SATB Gr. 4+ (Arr. Alejandro Jimenez)
• Si Me Dan Pasteles: A Puerto Rican folk song sung as villagers stroll through early morning streets during the Christmas season. Authentic jibaro arr. by Puerto Rican musician and music teacher Alejandro Jimenez. SA or SATB (easy, 7-12) in Spanish. Perc., piano/guitar,opt. recorders/Orff instr. Transla; notes. Click to listen!
• Somos el Barco: Lilting, moving song of world unity in Spanish and English , sung by Pete Seeger, Arlo Guthrie, the Clancy Brothers, & enthusiastic audiences & congregations all over the world. Arr. may be sung in uni. or any combination to full SATB (Sop. or Tenor solo possible). Pete Seeger said, "One of the best songs of this century. Our children's children will, God willing, be singing Somos el Barco." Piano, guitar. (Words & music: Lorre Wyatt.)
• Uno, dos y tres: A lively Cuban "conga" with lots of room to move for unison/two voices, piano, perc., notes, translation. Arranged by Carlos Abril. In Spanish.

^ Back to top

Middle East

• *Al Giv'ot Sheikh Abreik (On the Hills of Sheikh Abreik) Music: Mordekhai Zeira; Lyrics: ALexander Pen; Arranged by Joshua Jacobson and Leon Sher. A stirring, dynamic song of the early 20th-century pioneers who settled the barren land that became the state of Israel. For gutsy alto soloist(s)+SATB, piano/guitar, clarinet and dumbek drum. In transliterated Hebrew. Includes cultural context, translation. Click to listen!
• *Around the Campfire: A medley of three Jewish folksongs in lively, not difficult, arrangements: Finjan, Zemer Lach and Rad HaLailah (the last two are horahs.) Hebrew/Singable English. Raise your high school roof with this suite. Suitable for SATB/SAB. Piano, (opt. clarinets, elec. bass percus.) (Arr. Joshua Jacobson, Zamir Chorale.)
• *Dodi Li: An Israeli song with music by Nira Chen and slow, sensual arrangement by Joshua Jacobson, director of the Zamir Chorale of Boston. This is not the way you remembered this song! Be surprised! Hebrew with opt. Piano, clarinet, flute and perc. SATB. Particularly nice as a companion piece for "Erev Shel Shoshanim."
• *Erev Shel Shoshanim: A delicate Israeli folk song, with the open feeling of the desert at night while the scent of roses drifts on the cool air. Vocals weave in a sensitive arrangement complemented by a fluid, but not difficult piano accomp. SATB, 8-12. Translation; pronunc. Click to listen!

  "I can't imagine any SATB choir that wouldn't instantly fall in love with this one...Wow!"

  - Doug Troutman, CMEA News. (Arr. Jack Klebanow)

• Hag Shavuot: A lively Israeli song for a springtime harvest festival. Trad. dance steps ok for risers. Transliterated Heb/Singable Eng. translation. Piano, trad. perc.Un/SSA/SAB.Gr. 3+. (Arr. J C Tucker)

^ Back to top

Native American

• "Coast Salish Medley": 3-parts mixed+perc.) Six Traditional Slahal (Bone Game) Songs from the Coast Salish tribe of the northwestern US and Canada. Arranged by Wendy B. Stuart, author of Gambling Music of the Coast Salish Indians. Intensity builds throughout the performance of these lively songs until they hurtle along, almost spiraling out of control, to an exciting conclusion! Includes basic bone game instructions, cultural context. 3-parts treble or mixed+perc.
• Haliwa-Saponi Canoe Song: A traditional song of this Native American tribe. Recorder/perc. Unison OK, best with mixed voices. Arr.B. Burton
• O, Hal'Lwe: Nanticoke Women's Honoring Song: A beautiful honoring song, traditionally sung by Nanticoke men as the women dance. Simply arranged by Bryan Burton. Includes dance directions, performance narrative and cultural context. (unison/mixed voices+flute/drum; spoken performance narrative.) Click to listen!

^ Back to top

Peacemakers

• Amigos: A Song of friendship in Spanish, French, Hebrew, English; based on a Ghanaian highlife song. Easily translated into other languages approp.for your school.Now with Sign Language sheet. Unison, 2, 3 or 4 parts, piano &/or guitar. Suitable for all grades, harmony parts for 4+. (Words & music: J.Cook Tucker)
• Look to the Light : Three historic vignettes for Hanukah. (See full description under "What's New".) (Music by Meira Warshauer, lyrics by Rabbi Dan Grossman) Click to listen!
• One Candle, One Flame: A song that will raise your Winter Solstice or seasonal concerts to a new level. "All it takes is one candle to bring darkness to light, like the promise of the dawn on a long winter's night." One person extending one gesture of kindness--and the world changes. Unison/SA, optional solo, simple piano. Gr. 2+ (Words and Music by Linda Sobo) Click to listen!
• Somos el Barco: Lilting, moving song of world unity in Spanish and English , sung by Pete Seeger, Arlo Guthrie, the Clancy Brothers, & enthusiastic audiences & congregations all over the world. Arr. may be sung in uni. or any combination to full SATB (Sop. or Tenor solo possible). Pete Seeger said, "One of the best songs of this century. Our children's children will, God willing, be singing Somos el Barco." Piano, guitar. (Words & music: Lorre Wyatt.)

^ Back to top

Seasonal

• Amigos: A Song of friendship in Spanish, French, Hebrew, English; based on a Ghanaian highlife song. Easily translated into other languages approp.for your school.Now with Sign Language sheet. Unison, 2, 3 or 4 parts, piano &/or guitar. Suitable for all grades, harmony parts for 4+. (Words & music: J.Cook Tucker)
• *Erev Shel Shoshanim: A delicate Israeli folk song, with the open feeling of the desert at night while the scent of roses drifts on the cool air. Vocals weave in a sensitive arrangement complemented by a fluid, but not difficult piano accomp. SATB, 8-12. Translation; pronunc."I can't imagine any SATB choir that wouldn't instantly fall in love with this one...Wow!"‹Doug Troutman, CMEA News. (Arr. Jack Klebanow) Click to listen!
• Look to the Light: Three historic vignettes for Hanukah. (See full description under "What's New".) (Music by Meira Warshauer, lyrics by Rabbi Dan Grossman) The Mayer's Carol: Celebrate Spring with this traditional lively May song from England. Perfect for launching a day of Maypole dancing. Piano, perc., opt. Orff instrument arr.; opt. recorder. Unison (multiple soloists possible)/SA (Arr. Paul Kerlee) Click to listen!
• Lulajze Jezuniu: Lovely, melodic Polish lullaby for the baby Jesus. In two sensitive parts, piano and optional Orff instrumentation. Notes, translation. Arranged by Andrea Schafer. In Polish.
• Kwanzaa Suite: A Musical Celebration (2 parts+piano/percussion) Words and Music by Stan Spottswood; performed by the Stan Spottswood Combo. The history and meaning of Kwanzaa in song. 9 copy-OK songs that may be done as a full 1/2 hour program with narration, or individually. Demo and performance CD included. Read complete description! Click to listen!
• One Candle, One Flame: A song that will raise your Winter Solstice or seasonal concerts to a new level. "All it takes is one candle to bring darkness to light, like the promise of the dawn on a long winter's night." One person extending one gesture of kindness--and the world changes. Unison/SA, optional solo, simple piano. Gr. 2+ (Words and Music by Linda Sobo) Click to listen!
• Regle (Forests): A Song from the Beautiful Tatra Mountains of Poland: A traditional Polish song celebrating the beauty of the Tatra forests. Arranged for SATB (a cappella), by Joshua Jacobson, to sound like mountain echoes. Very shimmering sound, unusual and effective. Click to listen!
• Si Me Dan Pasteles: A Puerto Rican folk song sung as villagers stroll through early morning streets during the Christmas season. Authentic jibaro arr. by Puerto Rican musi-cian and music teacher Alejandro Jimenez. SA or SATB (easy, 7-12) in Spanish. Perc., piano/guitar,opt. recorders/Orff instr. Transla; notes. Click to listen!
• *Two Winter Songs: Snow and The Sparrow, unison voices, piano. By the beloved Czech composer. In Czech/English. Click to listen!
• The Mayer's Carol: Celebrate Spring with this traditional lively May song from England. Perfect for launching a day of Maypole dancing. Piano, perc., opt. Orff instrument arr.; opt. recorder. Unison (multiple soloists possible)/SA (Arr. Paul Kerlee) Click to listen!
• Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility): (2-part treble or mixed, piano and simple percussion). Words and Music by Stan Spottswood. Two energetic interwoven voice parts, a meaningful "rap" section accompanied by piano and a strong (but easy) percussion ensemble bring home the message of Kwanzaa Principle #3: Ujima. (One of the nine songs in Kwanzaa Suite by Stan Spottswood. See full description.) Click to listen!
• Vem Kan Segla: A haunting song of farewell-to-friends from Aland, a Swedish-speaking island of Finland, arr. by Bob Walser. Unison/2-part treble voices or mature voices in octaves; piano. opt. recorder. String ensemble parts avail. separately.
• *Zol Zain Sholem (Let There Be Peace): A joyous Yiddish call-and-response song from Eastern Europe with verses about Hanukah. Arr. Joshua Jacobson. med. Piano. Click to listen!

^ Back to top

Multicultural

• Amigos: A Song of friendship in Spanish, French, Hebrew, English; based on a Ghanaian highlife song. Easily translated into other languages approp.for your school.Now with Sign Language sheet. Unison, 2, 3 or 4 parts, piano &/or guitar. Suitable for all grades, harmony parts for 4+. (Words & music: J.Cook Tucker)

^ Back to top