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January 2022: "The Gift to Sing"

1/2/2022

 
Submitted by Shawn Funk
R&R Chair for Children's & Community Youth Choirs
​

It is my pleasure to recommend a wonderful piece by Andrea Ramsey from 2017 that is a great "find" on so many levels.  "The Gift to Sing" is available in SA, SSA and SATB voicings with piano.  This sensitive gospel like setting of the James Wheldon Johnson text offers an opportunity to gently swing to this text of depth and wonder.  I have found this piece to be particularly effective when combining varying levels of choirs, which will hopefully be something that we can look forward to in the not too distant future.  


Technically, the piece offers a progressively thickening of texture, and it offers the opportunity for young singers to explore varying registers and develop vocal colors throughout the piece.  At the culmination point of the piece, an optional decant is included  for more advanced choirs or for singers needing an extra challenge.  

In addition to the amazing career of composer/arranger Andrea Ramsey, student singers will be interested to explore the life of the lyricist James Wheldon Johnson.  Many of my singers did not know that he was the composer of "Lift Every Voice and Sing".  Many cross curricular discussions are a natural outgrowth of learning this work.  

Although composed before the pandemic, the text is very appropriate as we emerge.  The final page reiterates the important message:  "I Can Sing", something most of us will never take for granted again.  

Information on this piece available at MusicSpoke:  https://musicspoke.com/downloads/the-gift-to-sing/

​
ramseya3 · The Gift To Sing

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ACDA-PA: American Choral Directors Association of Pennsylvania
Independent voices joining to form a common theme.
  • Home
    • About ACDA
    • PA Chapter By-Laws
    • ACDA-PA Glossary
    • Past PA Presidents
    • Join ACDA!
  • Leadership
  • News
  • Conferences
    • Summer 2023 >
      • 2023 Interest Session Proposal
      • Conducting Masterclass
      • Choir for All Honor Choir '23
      • In the Middle Honor Choir '23
    • 2023 National Conference
    • 2024 Eastern Region Conference
    • Past Events >
      • Summer 2022 >
        • 2022 Conference Schedule
        • Choir for All Honor Choir
        • On-Campus Housing
        • Conducting Masterclass
        • Submit Interest Session Proposal
      • Summer 2021
      • 2021 National Conference
      • Summer 2020
      • Eastern Region 2020
      • Summer 2019
      • Fall 2018
      • Summer 2018
      • Eastern Region 2018
      • Fall 2017
  • Awards
    • Elaine Brown Award for Choral Excellence
    • Outstanding Young Conductor Award
    • Eileen M. Hower Memorial Award
  • Events
    • State-wide Events >
      • Composition Contest
      • Undergraduate Conducting Competition
    • Regional Events >
      • Mucho Macho Music
      • Sweet Harmony Festival
    • 2020-21 Online Events >
      • May Motivator 2021
      • January Jumpstart 2021
      • Resilient Leadership 2020
  • #SingNewMusic