Obwisana (Goin' to Ghana): 3-Part Mixed Choral Octavo
Music by Mary Donnelly and George L. O. Strid
Item: 00-PO-0002140
$2.25
Minimum order quantity: 20 copies
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Description
A pairing of two folk songs from Ghana makes this a wonderful "world-music" selection for young and developing choirs. In the style of traditional walking songs. Authentic sounding SoundTrax CD. This title is available in MakeMusic Cloud.
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Additional Details
Series:
Alfred Archive Edition: Alfred Choral Designs
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
8
SKU:
00-PO-0002140
More about this title
About the Composer: Mary Donnelly
Mary Donnelly grew up in Reno, Nevada, and studied English and French at the University of Nevada before discovering her calling in music education. She earned a Master's Degree in Education from Lesley College in Cambridge, Massachusetts, where she focused on integrating arts across the curriculum. For thirty years, she taught general music and choir in the Washoe County School District, serving elementary and middle school students.
In 1985, Donnelly began a prolific composing partnership with George L. O. Strid after their principal asked them to create a musical for Reading Week. That first collaboration launched a decades-long collaboration that has produced more than two hundred songs and twenty-five musicals. Donnelly is an active member of ACDA, NEA, and ASCAP.
Why we love this
Donnelly and Strid have crafted a piece that brings authentic Ghanaian walking songs into the mixed choir repertoire without requiring specialized vocal techniques or extended rehearsal time. The pairing of two folk traditions gives students a genuine window into African musical culture while keeping the arrangement accessible for developing singers. Young choirs gain confidence performing music that sounds rooted and real, not simplified or manufactured.
What to expect
The piece moves with the steady, purposeful energy of people walking together, with melodies that feel both fresh and timeless. Ghanaian folk tradition breathes through the arrangement, creating a sense of cultural connection without exotic or overly theatrical gestures.
Who it's for
Young and developing mixed choirs seeking authentic world music that builds confidence without requiring advanced musicianship. This octavo works well for middle school choirs and high school ensembles with singers new to three-part singing.
How to get the most out of it
- Lean into the rhythmic foundation of the walking song style. These melodies move with a steady pulse that drives the piece forward; resist the temptation to over-shape phrases or drag the tempo.
- Balance the three parts so the arrangement stays transparent. Young singers sometimes pile weight onto their own line without listening across parts; encourage light, connected singing that lets each voice register clearly.
- Use the recorded accompaniment to anchor rhythmic precision. The SoundTrax CD models authentic rhythmic figures and percussion colors that support the Ghanaian character of the piece.
How to use it
Program this as a bridge between your choir's standard repertoire and world music traditions. It fits naturally on concert programs celebrating cultural diversity, and its accessible length and difficulty make it ideal for middle school winter or spring concerts where you want to expand students' musical horizons.
Skills your students will build
- Singing in three-part mixed voicing (SAB)
- Rhythmic precision in folk song style
- Listening across multiple independent lines
- Connecting to non-Western musical traditions