Children Community and Youth High Five
Rachel Maki- Resource and Repertoire Chair for Children, Community and Youth
Article written for March 2023- The Voice: WCDA
This article was a fun memory lane journey for me and one I completely enjoyed writing about. I tried to walk through some of my most influential teachers that brought me to where I am today, while also keeping in mind the voicing and meeting different needs for different ensembles. Enjoy!
1. Love is a Rain of Diamonds
Gwyneth W. Walker
SSA with piano
E.C. Schirmer Music Co. Publisher ID: 5023
Over 15 years later, I still vividly remember singing this song as a senior in High School at the First Annual Michigan Music Conference, High School State Honors Choir in 2006. Nina R. Scott was the conductor of the SSA ensemble and she was FULL of life and passion. Coming from a small town in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, singing under her direction was a completely different experience due to her positive and feminine spirit. This song, Love is a rain of Diamonds, is a fun, lucious challenge for a more advanced treble ensemble. It is playful with the “La la la” moments with beautiful and flirty melodic lines. The cadences have a fullness and satisfaction that is a joy to sing and feel. It is a timeless song that will last the years to come. Recording link: Love is a Rain of Diamonds (Western HS Women's & Treble Choir, 2017 District MPA)
2. I am the Gentle Light
Paul Mealor
SA with piano (optional guitar)
Novello & Company Limited- 10365812
I truly have a crazy story on how I fell upon Westminster Choir College, one where I was enrolled in another college and the guest professor, James Jordan, had different plans for me. I am forever grateful for how he changed my life and the people he introduced to me during my time at Westminster. Paul Mealor is one of those people. He has a way with his music that is honest and pure. I am the Gentle Light, is a sweet song for younger voices, could be maybe a smaller group, but also has good vocal technique. There is a lightness with the melodic line and innocence that creates depth in its simplicity. When I did this song, I adjusted the tempo to help with phrasing and the melodic line for the singers..
3. El Vito
Emily Crocker
Two part with optional Descant and available Three part mixed
Hal Leonard Corporation-Publisher ID: 08552162
This is a very fun and lively song with flair and added drama if you wish you add hand movements! I worked with the Princeton Girl Choir under the direction of Lynnel Jenkins for a season and had a blast learning from her and gaining experience with children’s choirs. Again, a life changing experience that led me to where I am now. This song, written by Emily Crocker, is both a crowd pleaser and something middle school and older will enjoy. With Spanish flair, playfulness, and the need for artistic expression and phrasing, it will stay in my memory for years to come. I did take the tempo slightly faster for breath support and help with the energy than this recording.
4. Stars I Shall Find
Seth Houston
SA or TB, also available SATB
Santa Barbara Music Publishing
Ah, the emotion in me for this song. This song feeds the soul and was programmed during my second season with Milwaukee Children’s Choir. It was a personally difficult time in my life and this song gave me the strength and hope for a better tomorrow when working on it with my singers. Stars I Shall Find has many voicing options with a stillness and intention in the score by the composer for the singers. The text is beautiful, middle school and older people will feel and understand. A great piece to talk with singers about hard times, how to handle them, options and looking ahead to find peace. Recordings are available in the link. Tempo could be adjusted slower for deeper impact- not a song to rush.
5. Bhombela
Will Skaff
Two Part with Rhythm Sticks
Hal Leonard, HL 00286469
The pandemic, what to do?! Ensembles are smaller, life is hard. This song, Bhomela, was a great find. Satisfying two part harmony, fun, movement, rhythm sticks- it helped our singers feel a little more normal. This South African children’s stick game was a great rebuilding song for both singers musical skills but also social skills with each other. As a director, we need fun too and it was a joy to plan, choreograph, and perform.
Why Join? This short term project is a great opportunity to learn more about choral artistry as a youth performer! For the audience, take the journey with the choir in the singposium to learn about the music, the artistic sound, and selections being highlighted, such as these in the article above!
Read all about the project at www.mmvocalarts.com/motif-ensembles
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