Coventry Carol
by English Carol
SSA - Sheet Music

Choral SSA Choir and Piano

SKU: CF.BL1120

Composed by English Carol. Arranged by Noah Reese. Fold. Octavo. 12 pages. Duration 2 minutes, 53 seconds. BriLee Music #BL1120. Published by BriLee Music (CF.BL1120).

UPC: 680160912315. 6.875 x 10.5 inches. Key: G minor. English, English. English Carol.

The Coventry Carol is one of the most popular carols in the English language. Dating from the 16th century, the tune has been arranged hundreds of times. Reese's three-part mixed arrangement, with interesting counter melodies and rhythmic twists, has an accessible piano accompaniment, undulating at times and supportive throughout. Also available for SSA Voices (BL1079).
Coventry Carol was first performed during the sixteenth century in Coventry, England as a part of the Pageant of the Shearman and Tailors. It was a lament by the mothers of children taken in the Biblical "Slaughter of the Innocents." Robert Croo is credited with writing the lyrics in 1534, and the music was written by an unknown composer in 1591. The original manuscript of Robert Croo's poem lasted until a fire destroyed it in 1879. The underlying mixed-meter feeling of this arrangement is meant to help the piece build momentum to the third verse, helping to tell the tragic story depicted in the poem. The repeating motif is based around the altos' descending chromatic scale. Teaching the alto part to all singers will help them find their entrances throughout those sections.
Coventry Carol was first performed during the sixteenth century in Coventry, England as a part of the Pageant of the Shearman and Tailors. It was a lament by the mothers of children taken in the Biblical "Slaughter of the Innocents". Robert Croo is credited with writing the lyrics in 1534, and the music was written by an unknown composer in 1591. The original manuscript of Robert Croo's poem lasted until a fire destroyed it in 1879. The underlying mixed-meter feeling of this arrangement is meant to help the piece build momentum to the third verse, helping to tell the tragic story depicted in the poem. The repeating motif is based around the altos' descending chromatic scale. Teaching the alto part to all singers will help them find their entrances throughout those sections. The repeated motif is a descending chromatic scale and can be found throughout all three parts. Teaching a descending chromatic scale from G3 down to D3 will help the basses find their entrances throughout the chorus of the piece. The tenors have the same descending line up an octave in the cued notes starting at m. 49 and can sing in octaves with the basses for practice.
Coventry Carol was first performed during the sixteenth century in Coventry, England as a part of the Pageant of the Shearman and Tailors. It was a lament by the mothers of children taken in the Biblical "Slaughter of the Innocents". Robert Croo is credited with writing the lyrics in 1534, and the music was written by an unknown composer in 1591. The original manuscript of Robert Croo's poem lasted until a fire destroyed it in 1879.The underlying mixed-meter feeling of this arrangement is meant to help the piece build momentum to the third verse, helping to tell the tragic story depicted in the poem. The repeating motif is based around the altos' descending chromatic scale.Teaching the alto part to all singers will help them find their entrances throughout those sections.The repeated motif is a descending chromatic scale and can be found throughout all three parts. Teaching a descending chromatic scale from G3 down to D3 will help the basses find their entrances throughout the chorus of the piece. The tenors have the same descending line up an octave in the cued notes starting at m. 49 and can sing in octaves with the basses for practice.