All My Trials
View Three Part Mixed score page 1
The familiar African-American Spiritual has been expressively arranged in multiple voicings by Ruth Elaine Schram. It starts out in A minor with open, parallel fifths in the piano part then moves into C-major when the voices come in, and the ending just fades away, again in A minor.  Suitable for school or church use.

Amen!
View SATB score page 11
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The delightful, popular Spiritual is available with an all-Christmas text, in a truly choral arrangement.  After the chorus is sung, the first verse begins "See the tiny baby lyin' in the manger on Christmas morning!" and continues with the shepherds running to greet him in the lowly stable, the kings and wise men kneeling down before him, and the angels singing "Amen, Hallelujah, Amen!"  Powerful and fun, yet not difficult to prepare.  Suitable for school or church use.

Banyan Tree
View Three Part Mixed score page 2, page 3
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Bright, happy, dance-like arrangement of the Jamaican Folk Song features stomps, claps, and a tasty, articulated accompaniment which provides additional percussive interest. The song gradually builds from lots of unison to harmony with the use of echo and descant, then softens down to "pp" at the end as the dancers "fade away" into the distance. Fun!

Boll Weevil
View score page 1, page 7
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This is fun! Your audience will chuckle out loud when they hear this delightful folk song about the bug that took over Texas! A singable melody, simple harmonies and humorous lyrics tell the story, and the addition of easy body percussion or choreography will make it come alive visually as well. It's a real charmer and crowd-pleaser, suitable any time of the year or as a novelty piece in your Spring concert.

Cielito Lindo
View Three Part Mixed score page 1
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Delightful, authentic arrangement of this well-known Mexican folk song moves quickly! This arrangement features both Spanish and English texts; pronunciation given. The English is a direct translation from the Spanish. The piano accompaniment captures the sound of Flamenco Guitars and Mariachi trumpets. Available in two voicings for developing choirs.

Danny Boy
View Three Part Mixed score page 1, page 2
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Gentle arrangement of the beautiful "Londonderry Air" for young voices. Full of opportunities for teaching legato singing, expression and dynamics, and breath support.

Down By the Riverside
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The wonderful African-American Spiritual has been given a powerful, upbeat treatment in this fresh arrangement by Ruth Elaine Schram. Available in multiple voicings, along with a compelling Accompaniment track.

Every Night When the Sun Goes In
View SATB score page 1, page 2, page 3
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Beautiful, legato arrangement of the African American spiritual is suitable for school or church use, and appropriate for contests and festivals.  Only moderately difficult, available in three voicings.

Everybody Loves Saturday Night
View score page 4, page 5
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Delightful arrangement of the Nigerian folk song, sung in four languages (pronunciation guide given). Your students will learn Nigerian, Chinese, and French translations of this phrase! Optional Orff percussion is included, and an accompaniment track is available.

Farewell, My Friend
View Three Part Mixed score page 3, page 4, page 5
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This lovely adaptation of an African Folk Song is hauntingly beautiful and yet accessible for young singers. An optional Flute obbligato and Orff accompaniment (included in score) adds to the beauty of the piece and helps the work build throughout, only to come back to a soft climax that will leave your audience breathless. The portion from Measure 25 to the end would make a beautiful, memorable encore at the end of your concert and a fitting closer. The chorus also appears in canon, making this piece easy to learn and express.

Folk Songs for Solo Singers, Volume Two
Fourteen favorite folk songs compiled by Jay Althouse, arranged for solo voice and piano by Ruth Elaine Schram, Jay Althouse and Mark Hayes.

more info...

Grumble Too Much
View SATB score page 8, page 9
View TTB score page 10
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Based on the premise that women "grumble too much," this upbeat arrangement of the Jamaican Folk Song features lots of fun, back-and-forth dialogue and interplay between the men and the ladies in the SATB edition, and the higher and lower voices in the TTB edition. Several small percussion patterns are included and may be employed throughout, and portions of the accompaniment are designed to sound like steel drums, lending an authentic Island feel for an effective performance.

How Can I Keep from Singing
View score page 2, page 3
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Superb voice leading characterizes this SSA setting of the Traditional Quaker Hymn. A perfect choice for contests or festivals, this piece provides a wonderful opportunity for an aesthetic experience for your singers. Moderately difficult, this song uses echo, repetition, and modulation not only for a beautiful, interesting performance but to provide teaching opportunities for balance and blend. Your group will sound warm and sensitive on this flowing setting.

In the Christmas Spirit
View SATB score page 4, page 5, page 6
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Incorporating the spirituals "Mary Had a Baby," "The Angel Band," "I'm Gonna Sing," and "Go, Tell It On the Mountain," Ruth Elaine Schram has tied them together with original words and music for a fun, upbeat medley. This bright swing-style piece will be a unique change of pace for the holidays. Suitable for church or school use (with alternate text included), available in multiple voicings.

Joy to the Whole World
View SATB score page 1, page 2
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Winning mixture of "Joy to the World" and "He's Got the Whole World In His Hands," suitable for church or school use. The song starts off in 4/4 with a bit of a swing, but for the third verse (He's got the tiny baby...) it slows to 3/4 and goes to even eighths, while the accompaniment plays portions of "Brahm's Lullaby" and "Rock-a-bye Baby." The tempo picks back up for the fourth verse and a strong ending. The accompaniment CD is orchestrated by Steve Herold.

Kum Ba Yah (published by BriLee)
View score page 4, page 5
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The beloved campfire song has been artfully arranged for Unison / Optional Two Part voices.  The familiar melody has been given beautiful fresh harmonies that a new generation will cherish.

Little Innocent Lamb
View score page 4, page 5
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The traditional spiritual Little Lamb, Little Lamb, Little Innocent Lamb has been arranged for Unison and Two Part choirs. Easy to learn and to easy to teach, this offering is a great piece to introduce the traditional spiritual style, or just a treat for your singers! The text has been updated by the arranger to make it less confusing for today's choirs.

My Lord, What a Morning
View SATB score page 1, page 2
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Stunning arrangement of the classic African American spiritual is appropriate for school or church use.  The SATB version of this expressive setting allows opportunity for a bass soloist (or section) to introduce each verse while the upper voices respond.  Supportive, beautiful accompaniment flows downward as "the stars begin to fall."

Of the Father's Love Begotten
View SSA score page 6
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The beautiful, legato, 13th century plainsong melody arranged by Ruth Elaine Schram may be performed accompanied or a cappella.  There is no meter signature for this chant-like work; this among many other elements are teaching opportunities, including developing expression, phrasing, and dynamics.

Oh, Shenandoah (for ladies' voices)
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This gorgeous arrangement for ladies voices by Ruth Elaine Schram is characterized by beautiful harmonies and warm musical lines.  It is sensitive, expressive, and stirring -- all the things that make up an aesthetic experience for your group.

Peace Like a River
View score page 1, page 4, page 5
Traditional African-American Spiritual is set for unison or two part voices with flowing piano accompaniment. Expressive arrangement begins in 4/4, then goes into 3/4 as the text changes to "love is flowing," then back into an energetic 4/4 section for "joy like a fountain," then ends up as it began. Suitable for church or school use.

The Rose E'er Blooming
View SATB score page 6, page 7
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Stunning, transportive anthem that lyrically weaves together the traditional "Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming" and "What Child Is This?" to create an unforgettable work for your winter concert.

Simple Gifts
View Two Part score page 8, page 9
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The 18th century Shaker hymn tune has been artfully arranged by Ruth Elaine Schram for multiple voicings.  Use of unison and echo singing, in conjunction with beautiful harmonies make this piece easy to learn but lush to the ear.  Optional flute part is included in the score.  Equally suitable for church or school use.

Sourwood Mountain
View SATB score page 2, page 3
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Fun, delightful arrangement of the Appalachian folk song is available in multiple voicings. Cues for foot stomps and hand claps are included. Vibrant and upbeat, a real crowd-pleaser!

Suo Gan
View Three Part Mixed score page 4, page 5
The gorgeous lullaby that has been heard in several commercials has been arranged for young voices, and will be a lovely addition to your holiday concert or festival repertoire.  Available in Three Part Mixed and Two Part voicings.  Suitable for school or church use.

Swing Low, Sweet Chariot
View Three Part Mixed score page 1, page 2
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Soulful arrangement of the African American Spiritual by Ruth Elaine Schram includes a mixture of up-beat swing eighths and a change of feel to lush, even eighths. Suitable for school or church use, with optional solo (which may be performed by unison choir).

Wade in the Water
View SATB score page 5, page 6, page 7
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This light, jazzy "swing" arrangement of the folk song is perfect for general use in school or church. Guitar, Bass, and drum parts are included, and an accompaniment track is available. Moderate ranges are suitable for any age choir.

The Water Is Wide (Waly, Waly)
View score page 2, page 5
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The beloved folk song is given fresh treatment in this new arrangement by Ruth Elaine Schram. An optional text by Robert Louis Stevenson adds even more flexibility to the beautiful melody. Refreshing and alive, this wonderful gem will provide your singers with an aesthetic experience that is easy to learn and express.