The Lonely Goatherd: Choral Instrumental Pak
By Richard Rodgers / By Oscar Hammerstein II / Arranged by Mark Brymer
Item: 35-PK00132161
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Description
This happy yodeling song from "The Sound of Music" perfectly captures the charm and atmosphere of an Austrian country dance! Fun to sing and fun for audiences, too! Duration: ca. 2:50.
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Additional Details
Publisher:
Hal Leonard
SKU:
35-PK00132161
More about this title
About the Composer: Richard Rodgers
Richard Rodgers revolutionized American musical theater by creating melodies that are instantly memorable yet structurally sophisticated. His partnership with Oscar Hammerstein II produced some of the most performed scores in history, including The Sound of Music, South Pacific, and The King and I. Rodgers had an instinctive gift for writing lines that sit perfectly in the voice while serving the dramatic arc of a scene, making his work endlessly teachable and rewarding for student musicians.
Why we love this
The yodeling rhythms and dance-like energy make this arrangement genuinely fun to perform, and audiences respond to that joy immediately. Mark Brymer's scoring for strings keeps the ensemble accessibility high while preserving the character and warmth of the original, letting your choir focus on the infectious melodic line and the rhythmic precision that makes yodeling work.
What to expect
A bright mountain breeze and the simplicity of folk tradition meets Broadway sophistication. The yodeling brings playfulness and humor, while the string accompaniment lends warmth and elegance, creating a performance that feels both genuinely charming and polished.
Who it's for
Choirs at middle school through community level looking for repertoire that entertains audiences without sacrificing musicality. This is ideal programming when you want your ensemble to feel joyful performing and when you need a piece that connects with multigenerational audiences.
How to get the most out of it
- Clarify the yodel syllables ('hodi, hodi, hodi ho') by isolating them in rehearsal; unison articulation on these moments gives the piece its distinctive charm.
- Balance the melody against the string accompaniment so the choir's line floats above the texture without strain.
- Keep the tempo buoyant but not rushed; let the Austrian dance character breathe naturally rather than driving the tempo forward.
How to use it
Pair this with other Rodgers and Hammerstein selections for a thematic concert celebrating classic musical theater, or use it as an audience favorite to close a program and send listeners out smiling. Its 2:50 duration makes it efficient for variety concerts where you're balancing multiple styles.
Skills your students will build
- Rhythmic precision in yodeling passages (alternating sing/yodel syllables)
- Blending vocal tone with instrumental accompaniment
- Sustaining character and energy across a full performance arc
- Shaping melodic phrases within a danceable rhythmic framework