Christmas Musicals for Church
Issue link: http://read.jwpepper.com/i/111813
Program notes My Bonnie Lass is one Thomas Morley's most recognized choral pieces. Morley lived in England during the reign of Elizabeth I (1558 - 1603). The madrigal has been arranged and widely performed but this arrangement for string orchestra is a first. The music of the Elizabethan period falls into the Renaissance era of the classical music tradition. It precedes the Baroque period which includes the works of Vivaldi, Bach and Handel. The madrigal itself is usually in an A B form which repeats three or four times with different verses of text. In this instrumental setting, the arranger presents the material as A A B B A changing the ranges and textures for variety on the repeats. There are some syncopated rhythms which may require some clapping preparation. Some ties have been replaced by a repeated note to make the bowing easier to control for the students. When starting to learn the piece it would be easier to teach in 4/4 and 3/4 so the students can get the quarter note steady. When played up to tempo, the piece will be conducted in cut time and the 3/4 measures will be conducted in one. The quarter note will remain constant. The strong opening in the key of G major will be the perfect opening piece for your next concert. The freshness of this style is apparent from the opening bars. About the Arranger Deborah Baker Monday continues to teach in the award-winning Logan City orchestra program in Logan, UT. Ms. Monday has been an active bass performer since she moved to Utah. During her tenure at Logan she has pursued her interest in composition and arranging for educational strings. In Utah, she and her husband, Bill, have raised four children. Currently in demand as a string clinician, she has appeared at numerous state music conferences throughout the U.S. as well as several national ASTA conventions and The Midwest Clinic. She is an active guest conductor and adjudicator and has received awards and commissions for her work, making her one of the leading contributors to the repertoire for young string players.