Holdiridia: 3-Part Mixed Choral Octavo
Traditional Swiss Folk Song / arr., with additional words, by Sonja Poorman and Andy Beck
Item: 00-PO-0006300
$2.05
Minimum order quantity: 20 copies
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Description
This charming Swiss folk song evokes the sound of yodelers hiking the Alps. The arrangement makes splendid use of a multitude of choral textures, generously passing the melody between all voices in the process. A frothy and fun layered yodeling section in the middle helps build part-singing skills. A wonderful piece for teaching!
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Additional Details
Series:
Alfred Choral Designs
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
12
SKU:
00-PO-0006300
More about this title
About the Arranger: Sonja Poorman
Sonja Poorman brings three decades of experience directing choral ensembles across all age levels and composing music that serves both church and classroom contexts. She holds degrees in music education from Ball State University and the University of Miami, training that shapes her gift for writing accessible yet musically rewarding arrangements.
Poorman's career spans sacred and educational compositions, but her real strength lies in understanding what singers need to grow. Her arrangements and original works reflect deep knowledge of pedagogy combined with a genuine love of choral sound.
Why we love this
The texture of this arrangement feels alive because Poorman and Beck refuse to let any voice sit idle. By rotating the melody through all three parts, they create genuine ensemble singing rather than a melody-plus-filler texture. The yodeling section in the middle is the pedagogical masterstroke: it's playful enough to energize your singers and structurally sophisticated enough to build real part-singing independence.
What to expect
Holdiridia captures the exuberance of mountain air and voices carrying across valleys. The arrangement bounces between lush, grounded folk melody and delightful yodeling exchanges that feel spontaneous and playful, creating a performance that sounds both genuine and thoroughly enjoyable.
Who it's for
This piece works beautifully for mixed choirs at the middle school through adult community level. Directors seeking accessible, joyful repertoire that also develops part-singing skills will find it immediately useful in rehearsal and performance.
How to get the most out of it
- Lighten the tone in the yodeling section to achieve clarity between parts. Singers should feel they are calling across the Alps, not singing a hymn.
- Mark where the melody moves from section to section during rehearsal. Many singers default to watching the soprano line; explicit marking prevents this habit from clouding the texture.
- Shape the transitions between the folk melody sections and the yodeling episode. A slight tempo lift or articulation change signals the shift in character and keeps energy from sagging.
How to use it
Program this as a bright interlude on a concert heavy with art songs or spirituals; its charm provides genuine contrast without feeling out of place. It also serves excellently as a teaching concert piece in winter or spring when your singers have the skill depth to handle rotating melody lines with confidence.
Skills your students will build
- Managing melody lines that shift between all three voice parts
- Singing independent parts while maintaining clarity of texture
- Yodeling technique and style appropriate to folk music
- Listening to ensemble voicing rather than relying on a single melodic line