Folk Music

NOTE:  All  files require the use of Adobe Acrobat PDF viewer.  If you do not have this FREE program on your computer, you can download it here:

How it works: Select a title to add that edition to your cart. After your purchase is complete, an email will be sent to you containing  instructions on downloading the PDF file/s for those titles (please allow 24-48 hrs).  You are then licensed to make up to 30,   100 or unlimited copies (depending on the license you purchase) of the work/s for your choir.

 

 FROM "AN ALASKA BESTIARY":   

$15             

The poetry for this cycle of Alaskan songs comes from the pen of a former Alaska Poet Laureate, Sheila Nickerson from Juneau, and represents selections from Feast of the Animals: An Alaskan Bestiary, Vols. I and II. Music for the song cycle was written 1990 and is scored for solo mezzo soprano (or baritone) accompanied by piano. It utilizes the musical technique of wordpainting, in that each song describes musically a particular animal's appearance and/or behavior. Listen for the graceful, sweeping flight of the Great Blue Heron, the majestic march of the Caribou, the frantic Ground Squirrel gathering winter food and then hibernating in a deep, silent sleep. The song cycle is classically based, and the songs are very short. PRICE: $15. Performance time: Approx. 12 minutes.  Eighteen pages inc/cover

Download PDF file that includes one of the songs: "Heron"  (File size 1.3 MEG)

Download MP3 audio file of:  (NOTE: All files have voice played by piano in addition to accompaniment)

  1.                     Great Blue Heron (1 MEG)
  2.                     Caribou (.7 MEG)
  3.                     Alaska Little Brown Bat (.4 MEG)
  4.                     Ground Squirrel (.8 MEG)
  5.                     Dragonfly (1 MEG)
  6.                     Mallard (1.3 MEG)
  7.                     Puffin (1.5 MEG)
  8.                     Raven (1.3 MEG)

 

AND THE TREES DO MOAN

                                       
   unlimited copies edition:      $10

This arrangement is based on a Southern Mountain folksong. It is scored for mezzo soloist with piano and flute accompaniment. A women's chorus, preferably off stage, provides the "moaning" of the trees in the background. Vocal score with piano and flute parts. Performance time: Approx. 5 minutes.

Download free PDF file that includes the first two pages of the score. 

Download free MP3 file of entire score.  (3.0 MEG)  (Voices are represented by piano)

 

AT THE HOUR OF MIDNIGHT

   30 Copy Edition:   $15

  100 Copy Edition:     $25

                           

     
The Hispanic-flavored choir concert I was accompanying needed a special opening number, preferably involving the children's chorus that regularly sang with the Fairbanks Choral Society.  I found this little traditional Spanish folksong that seemed to fit our needs, and I decided to have the children enter from the back of the auditorium singing their "LaLa" section; this way the children would not have to concentrate on remembering a lot of lyrics as they walked in.  The adult choir was already on-stage, and we also had a special guitarist with us for this concert, so I added him to the mix.  Program note:  Any C instruments such as flute, oboe or recorder may be used in place of, or in addition to, the guitar; Latin American percussion instruments may also be added if desired. 

Download free PDF file that includes the first two pages of the score.

Download free MP3 file of entire score.  (2.2 MEG) (Voices are represented by piano)

 

CAROL OF THE BIRDS
 
   30-Copy Edition:   $15  

  100-Copy Edition:   $25

                                

This song was written for two Australian girls who were living for the school year in Fairbanks.  It is an arrangement of a traditional Australian carol, and six different species of Australian birds are mentioned in the lyrics.  It may be performed as a duet, or by a 2-part treble chorus. The original carol was in 6/8 time and had a lilting rhythm; I was enchanted by it and wanted to retain the "lilt", which is enhanced by the flute melody in the introduction and interludes at the end of each verse.  To make the verses more cohesive and add to the anticipation between verses, each of the piano/flute interludes pulls the music 1/2 step higher; and on the last page of the carol the flute does a little trilling in imitation of the birds.   Price: $15 for 30-Copy Edition; $25 for 100-Copy Edition.

 

MY MASTER HATH A GARDEN (arrangement)

   30 Copy Edition:  $15  

   100 Copy edition: $25

                           

This arrangement of an old Dutch hymn was originally written for performance by the Fairbanks Choral Society. Now, after some reworking, it is available on this website for public use. It is scored for SATB choir, organ, flute and opt. percussion. It would be appropriate for a Christmas (or any other time of year) concert.    PRICE: $15.00 (30 copy Edition) and $25 for unlimited copying, which includes instrumental parts. Performance time: 5-6 minutes.

Download free PDF file that includes the first two pages of the score.

Download free MP3 file of entire score.  (3.0 MEG) (Voices are represented by piano)

 

STAR OF THE EAST (arrangement)

   30 Copy Edition:   $15

   100 Copy Edition:       $25

                            

A Kentucky FolkHymn was the source of this piece, which is arranged for SATB choir with Children, Organ, Brass and Percussion. The arrangement was premiered by the Fairbanks Choral Society and Fairbanks Children's Choir and CHORUS! The traditional poetry is beautiful and descriptive, and the music begins soft but progresses in dynamics and key signature changes to add grandeur to the ending. PRICE: $15.00 for 30-copy edition and $25 for 100 Copy Edition, which includes all instrumental music. Performance time: 5-6 minutes.

Download free PDF file that includes the first two pages of the score.

Download free MP3 file of entire score.  (3.7 MEG) (Voices are represented by piano)

RETURN TO HOME PAGE