Two South African Folk Songs: SATB a cappella Choral Octavo

Name: Two South African Folk Songs: SATB a cappella Choral Octavo
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 00-33070
Price: 2.25 USD
Availability: InStock

1. Asika Thali / 2. Shosholoza

Arr. Ruth Morris Gray

Item: 00-33070

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Vocal and auxiliary percussion instruments add yet another layer to these traditional African folk songs. Authentic and artistic repertoire.

Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Two South African Folk Songs: SATB a cappella Choral Octavo comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.

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Series: Alfred Choral Designs

Publisher: Alfred Music

Page Count: 12

UPC: 038081359786

SKU: 00-33070

More about this title

About the Arranger: Ruth Morris Gray

Ruth Morris Gray directs choirs at Rosemead High School in California, where she has shaped the vocal music program since 2004. Her work extends far beyond the classroom: she holds degrees in Piano Performance and Composition from Biola University and a Master of Arts in Music Composition from UC Santa Barbara. With over 100 published choral works to her name, Gray has established herself as a prolific voice in contemporary choral composition.

Gray's contributions to music education span teaching, directing, arranging, and performing. Beyond her creative and pedagogical pursuits, she is an active traveler, swimmer, and cyclist who brings the energy and curiosity of her many interests into her work with students and singers.

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Why we love this

Gray's arrangement respects the integrity of these traditional songs while making them genuinely singable for student choirs. The inclusion of vocal and auxiliary percussion adds textural sophistication without overwhelming an a cappella setting, and the writing demonstrates how folk material can challenge ensembles at contest or festival level without sacrificing cultural authenticity.

What to expect

The traditional South African melodies carry warmth and directness, enhanced by the interplay of SATB voices weaving around and supporting the primary tune. The addition of percussion creates an organic, grounded sound that honors the songs' roots while the four-part writing adds harmonic depth and emotional resonance.

Who it's for

This octavo works for intermediate to advanced high school and collegiate choirs with access to percussion players and the time to rehearse layered voicing. Groups preparing for contest, festival, or concert programming benefit from repertoire that combines accessible folk melody with musical substance.

How to get the most out of it

Balance the percussion layer carefully so it supports rather than masks the vocal lines. These traditional instruments deserve clarity and presence, but the four-part writing must remain the foundation.
Attend closely to intonation in unaccompanied passages. Without instrumental support, tuning shifts across the arc of each phrase will become immediately apparent to listeners.
Research the cultural and historical context of these specific South African songs with your singers. Understanding the songs' origins deepens interpretation and helps the ensemble perform with genuine conviction rather than surface-level authenticity.

How to use it

Schedule this for a concert program that celebrates world music or multicultural voices. The 12-page format makes it a strong centerpiece for a set of contrasting pieces, and the a cappella plus percussion scoring offers visual and sonic variety alongside more traditionally accompanied work.