SKU: AP.48972

UPC: 038081562964. English. Traditional Jamaican Folk Songs.

In the words of Jamaican musicologist Marjorie Whylie, Jamaican folk songs are full of social commentary, censure, and recrimination in a vehicle of humor. This publication includes three charming arrangements for a cappella singers and percussion. One describes a comical scene at a train station; a second playfully questions a neighbor about some missing food; and the third (complete with simple instructions to recreate a ringplay game) cheers a naughty cousin who threw his aunt's coat out the window. A printed guide and online video provide vetted learning tools for the Patois language. Unique, authentic, fun!

About Alfred Choral Designs

The Alfred Choral Designs Series provides student and adult choirs with a variety of secular choral music that is useful, practical, educationally appropriate, and a pleasure to sing. To that end, the Choral Designs series features original works, folk song settings, spiritual arrangements, choral masterworks, and holiday selections suitable for use in concerts, festivals, and contests.

SKU: PR.111402650

UPC: 680160643516. Text: Lorna Goodison. Lorna Goodison.

Angel of Dreamers is a song cycle for bass-baritone (or mezzo-soprano) singer, trombone, and either string orchestra, string quintet, or piano. It is based on the extraordinary poetry of the Jamaican-American poet, Lorna Goodison, whom I have had the great pleasure of getting to know in the course of writing this piece. The work was commissioned by a friend from my undergraduate college years at The Eastman School of Music, Maury Okun, trombonist and director of the Detroit Chamber Winds And Strings. The work was premiered in 2011 by bass-baritone Daniel Washington, trombonist and U. of Michigan faculty member David Jackson, and the string section of the Detroit Chamber Winds and Strings. Daniel and David gave the second performance of the work with Lorna Goodison and Maury Okun in attendance at The Juilliard School the following year. I was approached by Maury Okun and David Jackson to write this piece as a tribute to Maury's father who had recently passed away. They also introduced me to their colleague and friend Lorna Goodison, suggesting her poetry. Reading several volumes of her work, I was absolutely captivated by the vivid imagery and beautiful messages of her words. I chose five of the poems, forming a cycle about life and death and home and parents. Lorna is originally from Jamaica, and the rich, vivid imagery, language and story lines of her poems beautifully reflect her roots. The work, in the tradition of Brahms' songs for voice, viola, and piano, features a singer with an obligato lyric instrumental line, which, in my piece, is the trombone, an instrument that blends so beautifully with the sound of a bass singer. The first song, O Love You So Fear the Dark is hopeful and uplifting, describing enduring love throughout the twists and turns of our lives. The music is strong and declamatory, but also tender. The second song, God A Me actually portrays a fish in Jamaica which is almost amphibious, flying up out of the water onto the land, and somehow, magically, returning to the water! For me this poem depicts the enjoyment of seeing parts of life that are fun and enjoyable and almost magical! The third song, All Souls Day depicts a holiday, somewhat magical, but also full of life and energy. The final two songs are a tribute to our parents -- My Mother's Sea Chanty, recalling a dream of seeing one's mother, with lyrics of tender love and remembrance, and finally, This is my Father's Country which is a tribute to the life of a loving father, recalling his spirit, his love of the music Harry Belafonte, and his enduring spirit. Angel of Dreamers was a special piece for me to write: for and with friends, old and new, collaborating with a poet whose beautiful, meaningful, and touching words were so inspiring, performed by fantastic musicians who poured themselves into the music, and commissioned by a dear friend from years gone by. THIS is why we write and perform music!.

SKU: AP.46612S

UPC: 038081535104. English. Traditional.

Heat up your holiday program with this charming arrangement fusing We Wish You a Merry Christmas with Caribbean flair. It's straightforward and playable in a laid-back reggae style. Merry Christmas, mon!

SKU: AP.46612

UPC: 038081535098. English. Traditional.

Heat up your holiday program with this charming arrangement fusing We Wish You a Merry Christmas with Caribbean flair. It's straightforward and playable in a laid-back reggae style. Merry Christmas, mon!