1: (Easy) No divisi in voice parts, accompaniment doubles or supports vocal parts, diatonic, symmetrical phrases, textures mostly homophonic, simple rhythms, stepwise voice leading (conjunct), moderate ranges, no extended techniques, and limited sustained singing.
2: (Medium Easy) Limited divisi, voices somewhat independent from accompaniment, some chromatics, phrases may be longer or more fragmented, mostly homophonic, moderate rhythmic complexity, some difficult intervals (disjunct motion), moderate ranges, extended techniques are simple, limited sustained singing.
3. (Medium) Limited divisi, unaccompanied, or with independent accompaniment (voice parts not doubled), many chromatics, phrases of varying lengths, more contrapuntal textures, moderately complex rhythms, some difficult intervals (disjunct motion), moderately difficult/challenging ranges, extended techniques are potentially challenging, and some sustained singing.
4. (Medium Difficult) Abundant divisi, unaccompanied, or accompanying instruments are fully independent from voice parts, many chromatics and/or key changes, long and/or broken phrases, potentially little homophony, complex rhythms, many difficult intervals (disjunct motion), difficult/challenging ranges, potentially difficult extended techniques, and a demand for sustained singing.
5. (Difficult) Adundant divis, unaccompanied, or accompanying instruments are fully independent from voice parts, many chromatics and/or key changes, long and/or broken phrases, potentially little homophony, complex rhythms, extreme ranges, use of challenging or unusual extended vocal techniques, abundant sustained singing.
3 reviews for A Red, Red (Noun)
Mark Rohwer –
A great piece for our 9-10th grade guys — the unusual approach to the text hooked the singers because they thought it was funny, and we spent a long time figuring out the best “alternate” lyrics. But, there’s a number of chances for some nuanced work on phrase, line, etc. — which made the crazy lyrics that much more enjoyable to the audience! I’m glad we programmed it. A nice change of pace piece.
Christopher Eanes –
Did this with the Cincinnati Boychoir last year (we were co-comission-es) – and the boys AND the audience loved it! Pretty simple to put together, and lots of opportunity for audience and/or choir participation.
Sarah O’Banion –
This was a hit with our middle school tenor-bass choirs! We asked the principals and the singers to submit words for the mad lib and chose from those options. The audience enjoyed it too!