Nine Hundred Miles: Choral Instrumental Pak
By Traditional American Folk Song / Arranged by Kirby Shaw
Item: 35-PK00237287
$15.00
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| Product | Price | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| Nine Hundred Miles - Acoustic Guitar: Choral Instrumental Pak | $7.00 | |
| Nine Hundred Miles - Bass: Choral Instrumental Pak | $7.00 | |
| Nine Hundred Miles - Drums: Choral Instrumental Pak | $7.00 |
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Description
The lonely train whistle and the traveler far from home are highlighted in this folk classic recorded by Ramblin' Jack Elliot, Odetta and other greats. Add guitar, bass and drums for an authentic '50s feel. Duration: ca. 2:35.
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Additional Details
Publisher:
Hal Leonard
SKU:
35-PK00237287
More about this title
About the Composer: Traditional American Folk Song
American folk songs emerged from the oral traditions of working people—laborers, travelers, and immigrants who shaped the nation's cultural landscape. These songs carried stories of hardship, longing, and resilience across generations, often refined through countless retellings before collectors and musicians like John and Alan Lomax documented them in the early 20th century.
'Nine Hundred Miles' belongs to this tradition of traveler's laments, its narrative of distance and yearning resonating across decades. The song found new audiences through mid-century folk interpreters like Ramblin' Jack Elliott and Odetta, who recognized in these melodies the emotional authenticity that makes folk music enduring classroom material.
Why we love this
Kirby Shaw's arrangement captures the melancholic heart of the original while the instrumental accompaniment (guitar, bass, drums) anchors it in authentic 1950s folk idiom. Your singers get to inhabit a real historical sound world rather than a sanitized version, and the rhythm section gives ensemble musicians a chance to contribute meaningfully to the texture.
What to expect
The arrangement settles into a reflective, road-worn mood. There's weariness in the harmonic movement and comfort in the familiar folk melody, creating a space where homesickness becomes something listeners can sit with rather than escape.
Who it's for
Choirs seeking authentic American repertoire that engages both vocalists and instrumentalists. This works especially well for programs that include student musicians on guitar, bass, and drums who want meaningful roles beyond background accompaniment.
How to get the most out of it
- Let the train whistle imagery guide your phrasing; this isn't a march or a celebration. Shape phrases with gentle dynamic tapering that mirrors the fading sound of a distant engine.
- Anchor the rhythm section early in rehearsal. Clean, understated grooves from drums and bass will frame the vocal melody and prevent the arrangement from feeling overproduced.
- Balance vocal blend against the instrumental weight. Folk songs thrive on clarity of text, so ensure the words cut through without forcing the singers to oversing.
How to use it
Pair this with other American folk or roots-based material for a concert exploring regional song traditions, or use it as a grounded centerpiece in a mixed program to ground the program's emotional arc. The brief duration makes it ideal as a second or third selection when attention and energy need recalibration.
Skills your students will build
- Blending tone and sustained legit (non-belted) vocal production in folk idiom
- Supporting ensemble rhythm with tight rhythmic precision from instrumental players
- Text clarity and narrative interpretation of story-driven song material
- Responding to rubato and phrasing cues in arrangements that honor oral tradition