"2018 Chamber Music Contest Entry"
Shenandoah
arr. Phyllis Avidan Louke

One of America?s best loved songs began asa sea shanty. The Shenandoah spoken ofin the song is not about a place, but is about an Indian chief living along theMissouri River.

Oh Shenandoah,
I long to hearyou,
Away you rollingriver,
Oh Shenandoah,
I long to hearyou,
Away, I?m boundaway
?Cross the wide Missouri

Oh Shenandoah,
I love yourdaughter,
Away you rollingriver,
Oh Shenandoah,
I love yourdaughter,
Away, I?m boundaway
?Cross the wide Missouri.

This arrangementopens with a haunting Flute 1 and Alto Flute duet. The instruments are featuredin various combinations throughout the piece to explore the different of colorsproduced by the flute choir. Harmoniesand rhythms are altered during various sections--most notably a duet betweenthe bass flute and alto flute. Piccolo,alto and bass flutes play prominent roles.

Folk Song
American Folk Song


This piece isscored for piccolo, 3 flutes, alto flute, bass flute, and optional contrabassflute. Level 3, 5:30



Phyllis Avidan Louke is aflutist and award-winning composer and arranger with more than 70 publishedpieces to her credit. www.phyllislouke.com and www.fabulousflute.com

This beautiful song is one of the most popular American folk songs, evoking images of the river life of yesteryear. It is sure to be a popular addition to your saxophone recital, or it would make an excellent encore piece. The top note is D (written) above the treble staff and the duration is 03:55.

As with most folk songs, there are many different versions of Shenandoah, and it?s impossible to determine the song?s exact provenance with any degree of certainty. It probably has its origins among the French Canadians who traded with Native Americans around the Great Lakes during the sixteenth century. In most versions of the song, the lyrics tell of a seafarer, possibly a canoeing fur-trader, who was in love with the daughter of Shenandoah, a Native American Chief who lived in what is now the state of Virginia. Shenandoah was a real person: an individual of commanding presence who lived for over a hundred years.

Sailors heading down the Mississippi picked up the song and made it a capstan shanty, which they sang while hauling in the anchor. By the mid-1800s versions of the song were heard almost everywhere the clipper ships ventured. Shenandoah was one of the most popular capstan shanties, a slow song which set a manageable pace for the crew in a heavy and lengthy task. Add this lovely American song to your repertoire today!

Simple Gifts (with ?Shenandoah?) (Flute Trio) combines two beautiful, well-known melodies. The pieces are easily recognizable throughout. While Parts 1 and 2 handle most of the thematic elements, Part 3 adds a subtle nuance with a staccato section that may be played as optional key clicks. Score and Set of Parts. Performance Time 2:47.

Showcase your cornet soloist with this arrangement of the beautiful American folk song, "Shenandoah".
The accompaniment parts are simple yet effective so it is accessible to all levels of ensemble from Youth Band to Championship Section.
It is a piece that will be at home in any setting including formal concerts and outdoor events.