Par L'ESTRANGE ALEXANDER (Arr.). When Cecil Sharp transcribed O Waly Waly in 1908, it bore this title but did not contain the title words (beginning instead with ‘Down in the meadows’). It has been suggested since that the version we know now may be a composite of three songs: the Scottish ‘Waly waly’ (meaning ‘a cry of woe or grief’), the Cecil Sharp transcript and an American song, The water is …

24 Heine-Vertonungen. Par STEFFEN WOLFGANG. To familiarize oneself with the basics of lied singing and at the same time work on technical and artistic issues using short and varied lieder, there is no way around the German 'Vaccai”. With lieder based on Heine's poems and following the Italian example Nicola Vaccai, Steffen Wolf succeeded in creating a real highlight in voice teaching. Each volume…

Par PORTER COLE. Written by Cole Porter, I’ve Got You Under My Skin became a signature song for Frank Sinatra and was one of his most requested songs at concerts. In 1966, the song became a top ten hit for the Four Seasons and has also been covered by countless others since. A key piece to include in any programme celebrating the Great American Songbook. This piece is part of the Faber Choral Sin…

Par L'ESTRANGE ALEXANDER (Arr.). The poignant words of The Last Rose Of Summer, by Thomas Moore, match this Irish song’s mournful, drooping melody. After a temporarily uplifting modulation for the third verse, where the men of the choir echo the melody two measures behind, the arrangement ends as it began – in a solitary mood, with an empty, bare fifth. This piece is part of the Faber Choral Sing…

Par KANDER JOHN / BEALE CHARLES (Arr.). This is a vibrant and accessible arrangement of All I care about, from the Broadway hit Chicago! With opportunities for whistling, staging and lyrics full of double meanings, this will add a bit of spice to your concert programme. This piece is part of the Faber Choral Singles series, offering a selection of beautifully crafted arrangements in a diversity o…

Swing Low, Sweet Chariot started life as a spiritual – it was one of the many religious songs sung by slaves on the cotton plantations in the Southern states of America over a century ago. There has been much speculation as to why it has been adopted by England rugby supporters but it seems that the association is here to stay. This rousing sporting anthem would make an ideal encore for any concer…

Par L'ESTRANGE ALEXANDER (Arr.). (Is this the way to) Amarillo? is about a man travelling to find his fiancée in Amarillo, Texas. After the second verse and chorus there’s a chance to go a cappella: the piano can leave out the small notes and give the singers a chance to show off what they can do! This piece is part of the Faber Choral Singles series, offering a selection of beautifully crafted a…

Par L'ESTRANGE ALEXANDER (Arr.). Low-down on the Hoe-down is a rollicking romp through a selection of light-hearted line-dance tunes. It’s a tribute to Ward Swingle, founder and arranger of the legendary vocal group The Swingle Singers, whose idea it was to make a show-stopping concert-piece out of a number of barn-storming American square-dance songs, using a song called The Arkansas Traveler to …

The struggle and suffering described in spirituals go hand in hand with an overwhelming sense of hope for a better life. Deep River is one of the most popular spirituals; its long-phrase melody calls for sustained breath control and a real sense of shape. Much contrast can be made between the first and second sections of the melody, and enjoy the more adventurous harmony around the words ‘where al…

Par L'ESTRANGE ALEXANDER (Arr.). English song in the first half of the twentieth century was largely defined by the wonderful output of Roger Quilter and Gerald Finzi, both of whom delighted in setting fine poetry by Wordsworth, Shakespeare and others. She Walks in Beauty was inspired by these two composers, with a particularly musically evocative and colourful text by Byron and a glorious new mel…

Par L'ESTRANGE ALEXANDER (Arr.). Afton Water is a gentle, lyrical hymn of praise both to the countryside of Scotland itself and to a girl called Mary who lies sleeping by the banks of the river Afton near Ayr, south of Glasgow. Alexander L’Estrange’s arrangement is both enjoyable and approachable whilst being true to the spirit of the original song. This piece is part of the Faber Choral Singles …

Par KANDER JOHN / BEALE CHARLES (Arr.). Chicago! is perhaps the greatest and bestloved creation of writing team John Kander and Fred Ebb. In We both reached for the gun, Roxie is accused of killing her violent lover and Flynn’s argument is that they both ‘reached for the gun’ at the same time – Roxie had no choice but to kill him, or she would have died. In the staging, Roxie is portrayed as Billy…

Par L'ESTRANGE ALEXANDER (Arr.). The Lark In The Clear Air is an exquisite Irish folksong celebrating the beauty of nature. Unusually for a folksong lyric, it also presents a positive outlook on love! This piece is part of the Faber Choral Singles series, offering a selection of beautifully crafted arrangements in a diversity of musical styles. From Broadway, pop and folk to spirituals, gospel an…

Par PARRY BEN. This Spiritual Medley comprises three songs that speak of a journey through trial to eventual salvation and liberty. It should gradually gather pace and energy from a slightly more reflective start, though retaining a lively feel throughout. All My Trials developed into a popular protest song in the 1950s and 60s and has been recorded by, amongst others, Joan Baez, Paul McCartney an…

Par L'ESTRANGE ALEXANDER (Arr.). Early One Morning, a bittersweet lyric with a deceptively upbeat melody, tells of false promises and deception. It is here given a rather melancholic treatment, ending simply and sadly, as it began. You can hear the men promising to be ever faithful in bars 56–63, underneath the girls’ plaintive reproach. This piece is part of the Faber Choral Singles series, offe…