Ikan Kekek: SAB Choral Octavo
(Ponyfish)
Traditional Malaysian Folksong / arr. Jerry Lim
Item: 00-PO-0007421
$2.30
Minimum order quantity: 20 copies
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Description
This Malaysian folk song comes from the tradition of dikir barat, an improvisatory musical duel. Jerry Lim's fast-paced arrangement develops the pentatonic theme in a variety of ways, including sung in canon, stacked in thirds, and paired with a tuneful counterline. Downloadable parts for a small gong, shaker, and hand drum enhance the style, and a Malay pronunciation/translation guide is included in the publication.
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Additional Details
Series:
Alfred Choral Designs
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
12
SKU:
00-PO-0007421
Instrumentation:
Small Gong, Shaker, Hand Drum
More about this title
About the Arranger: Jerry Lim
Jerry Lim brings three decades of K–12 music teaching experience to his arrangements, with deep roots in both Western and Eastern musical traditions. Growing up in Malaysia's multiracial environment, he absorbed European, American, and Asian musical languages alongside formal piano training, giving him a distinctive lens for blending cultural idioms. His work has ranged from the critically acclaimed Gameboy soundtrack for Magi Nation (2001) to ongoing arrangements for his high school choirs in Washington state.
Active in NAfME and ACDA, Lim has contributed to festival and conference management while building a steady catalog of original works and arrangements. His compositions reflect a commitment to cultural integration in music education, drawing on his lived experience navigating multiple musical worlds.
Why we love this
Lim's arrangement captures the energy and improvisatory spirit of dikir barat while making it accessible to SAB ensembles. The textural variety (canon, thirds, counterline) keeps singers engaged throughout, and the included instrumentation and pronunciation guide invite directors to build an authentic cultural experience without requiring specialized knowledge beforehand.
What to expect
The piece pulses with playful urgency, transforming a traditional musical contest into a spirited group conversation. Layers of melody intertwine and overlap, creating moments of bright unison and intricate texture that feel both structured and spontaneous.
Who it's for
This arrangement works for any SAB ensemble seeking engaging folk literature with cultural substance. It's especially valuable for directors programming world music or exploring non-Western traditions, and the manageable vocal ranges and clear textural architecture make it suitable for developing choirs looking to expand beyond standard Western repertoire.
How to get the most out of it
- Establish the pentatonic melodic shape early in rehearsal by singing it in unison before introducing the different textural variations; this foundation helps singers navigate the canon sections with confidence.
- Incorporate the downloadable percussion parts (small gong, shaker, hand drum) even with singers alone at first; once the ensemble locks the rhythm, add the instruments to heighten the improvisational energy.
- Use the pronunciation guide in performance preparation, not just as a document to distribute; having singers own the Malay words transforms their connection to the piece and sharpens diction clarity.
- Keep the tempo buoyant and consistent, particularly through transitions between textural sections; the fast pace is essential to the folk tradition and prevents the piece from losing its theatrical momentum.
How to use it
Open a concert with this piece to set an energetic, inclusive tone and introduce audiences to Malaysian musical traditions. It pairs naturally with other world music selections in a multicultural program, or stands alone as a festival competition choice that demonstrates both musical maturity and cultural awareness.
Skills your students will build
- Singing in canon and layered textures
- Intonation in pentatonic melodic frameworks
- Rhythmic precision in fast-paced, improvisatory-style arrangements
- Pronunciation and diction in languages beyond English
- Ensemble blend across multiple simultaneous melodic lines