Coulters Candy: 2-Part Choral Octavo

Name: Coulters Candy: 2-Part Choral Octavo
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 00-LG51621
Price: 2.25 USD
Availability: InStock

Arr. Robert DeCormier

Item: 00-LG51621

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Series: Alfred Archive Edition: Lawson-Gould Music Publishers

Publisher: Alfred Music

Page Count: 8

UPC: 783556007586

SKU: 00-LG51621

More about this title

About the Arranger: Robert DeCormier

Robert DeCormier trained at the Juilliard School and built a career spanning classical conducting, Broadway, and folk music. He served as music director of the New York Choral Society for seventeen years, arranged and conducted for Harry Belafonte, and held the position of music director for Peter, Paul and Mary from 1978 to 2010. His work as an associate professor of conducting at the Eastman School of Music (1972-1977) shaped generations of choral musicians.

Beyond the concert hall, DeCormier founded Counterpoint, a professional vocal ensemble based in Vermont, and initiated the Vermont Symphony Orchestra Chorus in 1993. His arrangements drew from African-American spirituals, American folk traditions, and international repertoire. Recognition of his contributions includes the Vermont Governor's Award for Excellence in the Arts (2002) and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the New England Choral Arts Foundation (2006).

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Why we love this

DeCormier brings authentic folk sensibility to this Scottish tune without overcomplicating it. The two-part voicing is lean and conversational, letting the melody breathe while the second part provides genuine harmonic support rather than padding. Directors will appreciate that this arrangement respects the song's character as a street vendor's cry while remaining singable for young or developing choirs.

What to expect

Coulters Candy has the immediacy and charm of a street scene, with the kind of infectious simplicity that stays with you after you leave the market. The melody has a folk warmth that invites singers to connect with the text as storytellers, not just note-readers.

Who it's for

This arrangement works well for middle school through adult choirs seeking accessible folk repertoire with substance. The 2-part voicing makes it ideal for choirs with limited soprano or alto resources, or for building confidence in developing singers through straightforward but musical writing.

How to get the most out of it

Emphasize the rhythmic, market-day energy of the text. The melody has a natural speech quality, so resist the urge to over-sing; let the words lead the phrasing.
Balance the two parts so the melody remains audible without drowning the harmony. In a 2-part texture, clarity matters more than volume.
Work the vowel sounds on 'Coulters Candy' itself; this hook deserves crisp, unified articulation across the choir.
If you're performing with accompaniment, lock the tempo early in rehearsal so singers trust the rhythm and can focus on diction and blend.

How to use it

Program this alongside other folk arrangements or international songs to create a diverse concert set. It pairs especially well with other British Isles repertoire or in a program exploring street songs and occupational music across cultures. The piece works as a concert opener or as a palate-cleanser between weightier selections.