V'la l'Bon Vent (Go, Good Wind): 2-Part Choral Octavo
(Go, Good Wind)
Based on a French Canadian Folk Song / arr. with additional words and music by Lois Brownsey and Marti Lunn Lantz
Item: 00-PO-0000709
$1.75
Minimum order quantity: 20 copies
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Description
This lovely French-Canadian folk song is arranged in a sophisticated, yet achievable manner. Incorporates echo singing, basic 2-part harmony, and partner song elements. With only eight French words to learn, it won't be difficult to impress at concerts and festivals.
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Additional Details
Series:
Alfred Choral Designs
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
12
SKU:
00-PO-0000709
More about this title
About the Arranger: Lois Brownsey
Lois Brownsey and Marti Lunn Lantz have spent decades building a distinctive catalog of multicultural and seasonal choral works for Alfred Music. Brownsey's foundation in musical theatre and instrumental performance (she was active in rock, pop, and blues ensembles from 1973 through the 1990s) informs the duo's accessible yet sophisticated arranging approach. Both have written extensively across genres, from jingles for major corporations to full choral collections that celebrate music from around the world.
Based in Pennsylvania's Pocono Mountains, Brownsey remains active as a musician and community advocate. She and her husband, recording engineer Kent Heckman, operate Red Rock Recording Studios, where many of their Alfred projects come to life. Their prolific output includes beloved titles like "Winter's Frost" and "Japanese Snow Song," along with thematic collections such as Celebrations around the World and The Wonders of the Earth.
Why we love this
This arrangement proves that French-Canadian repertoire doesn't require extensive language preparation or complex voicing to land powerfully with an audience. The echo singing and partner song elements keep the texture fresh while the modest eight-word French vocabulary makes rehearsal time efficient. It's the kind of piece that builds confidence in younger choirs while sounding polished enough for festival programming.
What to expect
The piece floats between delicate and buoyant, with the echo singing creating an intimate call-and-response feeling before the fuller harmonic moments bloom. There's an understated elegance to a folk melody arranged with restraint, allowing the natural beauty of the tune to carry the emotional weight without oversinging.
Who it's for
This octavo works well for developing choirs in middle school through early high school who are building comfort with two-part writing and want to expand beyond English-language repertoire. The minimal French vocabulary and achievable harmony make it accessible, while the folk song arrangement carries enough sophistication to feel like real music-making rather than a stepping stone.
How to get the most out of it
- Establish clear phrasing in the echo passages by having the "answering" section listen intently to the initial phrase before responding. The overlap and interplay between parts drives the song's charm.
- Attend to the French pronunciation in your first rehearsals so singers own the text early. With only eight words to master, this is a quick win that frees singers to focus on blend and ensemble balance.
- Let the recorded accompaniment anchor the harmonic foundation while your singers lock in their parts. This allows more focus on creating the echo effect with precision and warmth.
How to use it
Place this among other world music selections on a concert celebrating cultural traditions, or use it as an accessible entry point to multicultural programming if your choir is new to non-English repertoire. Its length and modest technical demands make it an ideal complement to a more demanding major work, giving your singers a moment of straightforward musical joy while audiences enjoy the bright, approachable sound.
Skills your students will build
- Echo singing technique and call-and-response phrasing
- Two-part harmony with independent vocal lines
- French pronunciation and text delivery
- Partner song awareness (singing against a complementary melodic line)
- Listening and blend in a multicultural context