Performance Insights

Simple Gifts

(click voicing to view and hear online)

 

Two-part     Three-part

 

Simple Gifts came to the conscience of American music educators in 1944, when Aaron Copland composed a set of variations for his ballet and orchestral suite, Appalachian Spring.

 

This "Shaker Dancing Worship Song" is a choral arrangement written to fit the early adolescent changing voices.

 

The refrain is a modest two-or three-part contrapuntal presentation (the adolescent baritone part is present but optional).  This work provides a window into America's religious history and into American religous-folk music. Search Roger Lee Hall for indepth information.

 

Access the two-part and three-part variable voicing chart to see the  options that are available.  It is published in the three-part version only, which can be sung as a two-part setting, if desired.

 

Text has been attributed to Shaker Elder Joseph Brackett, Jr., 1848

Music: Shaker tradition --Dancing Worship Song

Two- and Three-part Variable Voicing with Piano

Arranger: Gwyneth Cooper

CP Catalog #T978116

 

This work is available in E-Print.

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