Harambee: A Song for Kwanzaa: 3-Part Mixed Choral Octavo
Music by Lois Brownsey and Marti Lunn Lantz
Item: 00-PO-0004132
$2.25
Minimum order quantity: 20 copies
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Description
"Harambee" means "let's pull together" in Swahili, a concept fostered in "Umoja," one of the principles of Kwanzaa. This new choral work with a rhythmic African pulse focuses on elements of this fast-growing December holiday. Your students will learn as they sing the rolling melodies, written especially for young and developing groups. Add rhythm instruments (parts for percussion and C-instruments are included in the publication) or use the outstanding SoundTrax CD.
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Additional Details
Series:
Alfred Archive Edition: Alfred Choral Designs
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
12
SKU:
00-PO-0004132
Instrumentation:
Opt. Percussion and C-Instruments
More about this title
About the Composer: Lois Brownsey
Lois Brownsey studied at Temple University in her native Philadelphia, where she developed skills across guitar, musical theatre, and ensemble performance. Her songwriting partnership with Marti Lunn Lantz spans decades and has produced numerous choral works and song collections rooted in world music and seasonal celebrations. The pair's catalog includes pieces such as "Winter's Frost," "Japanese Snow Song," and "The Colors of Winter," along with thematic collections like Celebrations around the World and The Wonders of the Earth.
Brownsey's background extends beyond choral writing into commercial music, having composed and performed jingles for major clients including AT&T and GMC. She performed actively in pop, rock, and blues ensembles throughout the United States and internationally before stepping back from live performance in 1997. Based in Pennsylvania's Pocono Mountains, she co-owns Red Rock Recording Studios with her husband Kent Heckman, a recording engineer, where many Alfred publications are produced.
Why we love this
The rhythmic African pulse driving this piece gives it genuine musical personality rather than feeling like a cultural checkbox. Students genuinely enjoy singing rolling melodic lines written with young voices in mind, and the optional percussion and C-instrument parts transform a simple octavo into a full ensemble experience without requiring complex orchestration.
What to expect
Energized and inclusive, with an African rhythmic heartbeat that propels the rolling melodies forward. The piece captures the spirit of Kwanzaa's emphasis on community and unity while remaining accessible and genuinely fun to sing.
Who it's for
Young and developing choirs working in 3-part mixed voicing who are ready to engage with culturally authentic material. This octavo works equally well for school ensembles seeking winter concert programming that extends beyond traditional holiday fare and for choral programs intentionally building multicultural repertoire.
How to get the most out of it
- Layer in the rhythm instruments gradually during rehearsals. Start with voices alone to establish the rolling melody, then add percussion to anchor the African pulse and let students feel how the instrumental parts support their singing.
- Maintain the forward momentum of the rhythmic accompaniment; resist the urge to slow down or over-phrase the melodic lines. The piece thrives on energy and propulsion.
- If using the SoundTrax recording, rehearse against it from an early stage so singers lock into the accompaniment's tempo and rhythmic feel rather than fighting it later.
How to use it
Place this in a winter concert context where it can anchor a thematic set exploring holidays and celebrations from different cultures. Its rhythmic drive and moderate technical demands make it ideal for mid-program placement where it can build audience energy without overshadowing more delicate works.
Skills your students will build
- Singing rolling, connected melodic lines in SAB voicing
- Maintaining rhythmic precision within an African percussion framework
- Ensemble blend while carrying an exposed melodic line
- Interpreting and performing music from non-Western musical traditions with cultural awareness