Kolyadá: SATB a cappella Choral Octavo
Russian Folk Song / arr., with additional words, by Mark Burrows
Item: 00-PO-0006974
$2.30
Minimum order quantity: 20 copies
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Description
This delightful Eastern European carol explains the holiday tradition of sharing good tidings with neighbors and friends. A cappella with percussion.
As part of the PerformancePlus+ series, this title is in the MakeMusic Cloud interactive library. Subscribers can access additional resources, including assessment and recording tools, part-predominant and accompaniment tracks, PDF rehearsal guides, and more.
As part of the PerformancePlus+ series, this title is in the MakeMusic Cloud interactive library. Subscribers can access additional resources, including assessment and recording tools, part-predominant and accompaniment tracks, PDF rehearsal guides, and more.
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Additional Details
Series:
Alfred Choral Designs
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
12
SKU:
00-PO-0006974
More about this title
About the Arranger: Mark Burrows
Mark Burrows combines composition, conducting, and classroom expertise into a distinctive voice in choral music. His catalog appears regularly on state and festival lists, and he fields multiple commissions annually from children's choirs, adult ensembles, and intergenerational festival groups. He earned his undergraduate degree in music education from Southern Methodist University and completed graduate studies in conducting at Texas Christian University.
Based in Fort Worth, Texas, Burrows currently serves as Director of Children's Ministries at FUMC, a role that informs his gift for writing music that engages singers across ages and skill levels. His family includes his wife Nina and daughters Emma and Grace.
Why we love this
Burrows captures the spirit of Eastern European folk tradition while keeping the arrangement singable and joyful for mixed ensembles. The a cappella texture with optional percussion creates flexibility: perform it purely vocal, add handbells or unpitched percussion, or layer in both for a fuller sound. Singers respond to the clear storytelling about sharing good wishes, and the piece programs beautifully alongside other world carols or as a cultural bridge in any December concert.
What to expect
Bright and neighborly, with the genuine warmth of a folk custom passed from singer to listener. The a cappella texture brings intimacy and clarity; the optional percussion adds celebratory shimmer without overwhelming the human voice at the center.
Who it's for
Directors seeking repertoire that honors world traditions while remaining accessible to mixed choirs at the octavo level. This works equally well for high school choirs, community ensembles, church choirs, and music theater programs looking to expand beyond traditional Christmas fare.
How to get the most out of it
- Balance the four parts so the melody remains clear even as the harmony builds; Soprano and Alto lines can easily overshadow the Tenor and Bass foundation if the lower voices don't anchor the sound.
- If adding percussion, treat it as a rhythmic enhancement rather than a necessity; the a cappella version stands complete and lets voices shine when instrumental resources are limited.
- Keep the text intelligible and warm; this piece thrives on the joy of the carol tradition itself, so singers should project the meaning of sharing blessings with neighbors.
How to use it
Feature this as a cultural centerpiece in a world music or multicultural concert segment, or pair it with other European carols for a program that explores how different cultures celebrate winter and community. Its moderate length and bright character also make it an excellent opener for a holiday concert, setting a welcoming tone before moving into other seasonal repertoire.
Skills your students will build
- Balancing four-part SATB texture without instrumental support
- Singing folk-derived melodies with authentic phrasing and text clarity
- Performing music from non-Western European traditions with cultural respect
- Integrating optional unpitched percussion or handbells into a cappella arrangements