Come 'Round Right; A Folk Song Suite: Choral Instrumental Pak
As performed by Judith Clurman / Arranged by Sally Lamb McCune
Item: 35-PK00291470
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Description
Sally Lamb McCune has arranged three timeless American folk songs for mixed choir, piano, snare drum, piccolo and optional strings. This can be performed as a set: 1) Simple Gifts; 2) When Johnny Comes Marching Home; 3) Get Off the track, or each piece can be sung individually. Historical notes included from the arranger offer a solid beginning for further study for you and your singers. Sally Lamb McCune has arranged 3 timeless American Folk songs for mixed choir, piano, snare drum, piccolo and optional strings (50499631). These are truly special arrangements suitable for the best concert choirs. This can be performed as a set--1.Simple Gifts, 2. When Johnny Comes Marching Home, 3. Get Off the Track--or each piece can be performed individually.
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Additional Details
Publisher:
Hal Leonard
SKU:
35-PK00291470
More about this title
About the Artist: Judith Clurman
Judith Clurman is a conductor and artistic director known for her passionate interpretations of American music and her commitment to bringing contemporary works into concert life. Her recordings and performances have championed both familiar repertoire and lesser-known treasures, making her a trusted voice in how we understand and present our musical heritage.
Clurman's work emphasizes the storytelling power of vocal music and the importance of historical context in performance. Her artistic choices consistently reflect a deep engagement with text and cultural significance, qualities that resonate strongly in educational settings where singers benefit from understanding not just what to sing, but why.
Why we love this
McCune's arrangements honor the melodic strength of these folk standards without overcomplicating them, and the inclusion of snare drum and piccolo alongside strings gives your choir real color options depending on your ensemble size. The historical context provided by the arranger transforms these familiar tunes into teaching moments about American culture and songwriting, turning a concert performance into something singers genuinely understand and connect with.
What to expect
These arrangements capture the sincerity and directness of folk tradition while adding sophisticated harmonic and orchestral layers that reward careful listening. The overall effect is nostalgic yet vital, grounded in the past but performed with the energy and precision of contemporary concert music.
Who it's for
Intermediate to advanced mixed choirs seeking accessible American repertoire with genuine artistic depth. This collection works equally well for festival performances, concert programs, or interdisciplinary units pairing music with American history.
How to get the most out of it
- Balance the piccolo carefully in the upper register; this instrument can easily dominate a mixed choir if the part isn't voiced with sensitivity to the overall blend.
- Use the optional strings strategically rather than automatically. A performance with just piano, snare, and voices can feel remarkably intimate, while strings expand the palette for larger concert settings.
- Lean into the rhythmic drive of the snare drum, especially in 'When Johnny Comes Marching Home,' to create propulsion without rushing the underlying pulse.
- Study the historical notes before rehearsals begin so you can share context about each song's origins with singers; this background work elevates interpretation significantly.
How to use it
Consider opening a concert with all three pieces as a suite, or use individual selections to create thematic programming (pair 'Simple Gifts' with other spiritually inflected works, or program 'When Johnny Comes Marching Home' alongside other Civil War era compositions). The flexibility to perform with or without strings makes this adaptable across different concert seasons and budgets.
Skills your students will build
- Blend and balance in mixed voicing with optional instrumental doublings
- Historical understanding of American folk songs and their cultural contexts
- Rhythmic precision when singing against independent snare drum accompaniment
- Dynamic control and phrase shaping in melodies designed for simplicity but executed with sophistication