Ave Maria - Scarborough Fair: Choir Secular

Chihara's pairing of two beloved melodies creates something neither predictable nor overwrought. The arrangement respects both tunes fully, allowing them to coexist with genuine musical logic rather than gimmickry. It's the kind of piece that sounds fresh to audiences while remaining entirely singable for choirs at intermediate to advanced levels.

There's a quiet luminosity to hearing two complete melodies woven together without conflict. The piece inhabits a reflective space where the sacred and secular merge naturally, creating a sense of recognition and discovery at once. Audiences hear something familiar transformed into something more intricate and contemplative.

Intermediate to advanced choirs with secure reading skills and the ability to manage harmonic independence across voice parts. This work suits university choirs, community choruses with rehearsal experience, and high school select ensembles ready for repertoire beyond standard octavos.

• Balance the two melodic lines carefully; neither should dominate. In sections where both melodies appear simultaneously, think of them as equal partners in conversation rather than primary and accompaniment.
• Shape the phrases with long vocal lines in mind. The 12-page length allows for expressive breathing and dynamic development without rushing.
• Pay attention to the text underlay, as Chihara's setting reveals something meaningful in both the liturgical and secular material. This clarity of intent will guide your singers' interpretation.

This arrangement works beautifully on a concert that explores thematic connections across traditions or cultural contexts. It also serves well as a closing piece on an all-secular program, offering a moment of greater depth and sophistication to send audiences away thoughtfully.

• Singing independent melodic lines while maintaining awareness of other voices
• Balancing text in two different languages or traditions simultaneously
• Sustaining lyrical phrasing across extended phrases
• Understanding how harmonic support can coexist with melodic integrity