Two Sacred American Folk Songs [SATB]
4-Part - Digital Sheet Music

Choral Choir (SATB) - Level 2 - Digital Download

SKU: A0.891213

Composed by Traditional American. Arranged by Laurie Betts Hughes. A Cappella,Contemporary,Folk,Sacred,Spiritual. Octavo. 15 pages. Dandelion Music Press #3106427. Published by Dandelion Music Press (A0.891213).

A good choice for traditional a cappella worship or concert with a personal Americana feel.

I. Shepherd, Shepherd: This movement is a spiritual included in John W. Work's collection of "American Negro Songs and Spirituals," published in 1940.  It is also included in Ruth Crawford Seeger's collection "American Folk Songs for Christmas."  Though two illustrious collectors included this beautiful song, it is little-known, possibly because it was not popularized by historic performances by the Jubilee Singers who brought awareness to the musical richness of African-American Choral Music and associated repertoire.

II. Child of God: Much American folk music features the use of instruments.  In the absence of available instruments, in the presence of a religious culture that may frown upon instrumental usage, and/or influenced by Irish culture that mimics instrumental textures as a form of "mouth music," this a cappella piece is fully orchestrated.

The arranger writes: "Personally, I absolutely adore the idea of the Christ child singing softly.  This idea was the genesis of this arrangement."  The nature of the human voice can both deliver text as well as deliver an abstract timbre through the text.  In this movement, both uses of the voice interact between the text and the voice as orchestration.  When the Christ child sings, the instrumental texture shifts to "la."  When the wind blows, the accompanimental texture is still text-driven, but on a more closed vowel [o] of "blow" to mimic the wind.  Personally, I absolutely adore the idea of the Christ child singing softly.  This idea was the genesis of this arrangement.

Each movement is available for purchase individually.

2017 Choral Contest Entry

Laurie Betts Hughes, ASCAP | www.LaurieBettsHughes.com