The Journey of Harriet Tubman (for SSAA): Choral Instrumental Pak
By Ron Kean
Item: 35-PK00446675
$25.00
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| Product | Price | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| The Journey of Harriet Tubman (for SSAA) - Marimba: Choral Instrumental Pak | $15.00 | |
| The Journey of Harriet Tubman (for SSAA) - Kalimba: Choral Instrumental Pak | $15.00 |
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Description
This 5-movement work pays tribute to one of the great heroes of the emancipation era. Ron Kean brings authentic expression to the spirituals that served mulitiple functions for the African-Americans of that time. The African heritage sings true in the renderings he offers, and the journey of those who sacrificed becomes a story we can relive and honor. A simple percussive accompaniment provides the foundation for a truly artistic expression that will move an audience to tears. Medium to difficult.
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Additional Details
Publisher:
Hal Leonard
SKU:
35-PK00446675
More about this title
About the Composer: Ron Kean
Ron Kean has built a career writing choral music that honors historical narratives and cultural traditions with respect and musical sophistication. His work consistently demonstrates a deep understanding of how spirituals functioned as vessels for resilience, coded communication, and spiritual sustenance within African-American communities.
Why we love this
Kean resists sentimentality here. Instead of imposing modern emotions onto historical material, he lets the spirituals themselves carry their layered meanings. The five-movement structure gives singers time to inhabit each moment of the journey, and the restrained percussion accompaniment keeps focus on the voices where it belongs.
What to expect
The music breathes with quiet dignity punctuated by moments of longing and resilience. Five movements unfold like chapters of testimony, each spirituals haunting and specific, yet bound together by a coherent emotional arc. Listeners encounter both the sorrow and the unshakeable faith that sustained those who sang.
Who it's for
Advanced women's choirs and concert choirs with strong intonation and the maturity to engage with profound historical material. This work demands singers who can sustain long phrases and navigate moderate harmonic complexity with conviction.
How to get the most out of it
- Study the historical context of each spiritual before rehearsal begins. Understanding which songs functioned as literal instructions versus spiritual anchors will shape how your singers approach dynamics and phrasing.
- Balance clarity of text with the flowing, lyrical quality spirituals demand. Articulation should never sacrifice the song's inherent dignity.
- Let the percussion enter gradually during rehearsals. Once singers feel secure with their parts, add accompaniment to build confidence in ensemble cohesion.
- Record a full run-through early in the rehearsal process. Hearing how the five movements connect as a single arc helps singers grasp the narrative scope.
How to use it
Position this as a centerpiece for a concert addressing African-American history and music traditions. It pairs naturally with educational programs, historical commemorations, or concert programming focused on spirituals and their enduring cultural significance. The five-movement structure also makes it effective as the entire second half of a concert.
Skills your students will build
- Sustained legit singing across extended phrases
- Harmonic awareness in four-part writing with chromatic movement
- Stylistic authenticity in spiritual interpretation
- Ensemble blend in SSAA voicing
- Text expression that honors historical and spiritual weight