From the work of Bobby McFerrin and his vocal orchestra – Voicestra http://www.bobbymcferrin.com
and Rhiannon http://www.RhiannonMusic.com

Circle Song

One person gives out repeating parts to the groups.

Find parts by first singing what’s inside, then refining to find a motor part. Harmony is good. Look for spaces in the motor part to interlock new parts.

Find parts by first solo-ing over what is already created.
Play with rhythm – try putting 3 over 4 or try something in an odd rhythm like 5/4, 7/8, 9/8
Play with tonality – use some unusual harmonies, try notes that may not be the “first choices”
Play with language – try using some sounds you don’t always use; experiment with different consonants; imagine you’re speaking a language you don’t know but have a sound in your ear eg. french, russian, italian, etc.

The person giving out the parts can then solo over the foundation they have created.

Solo-ist can then step out and let another person solo and/or create new parts…

From the work of Bobby McFerrin and his vocal orchestra –
Voicestra http://www.bobbymcferrin.com
and Rhiannon http://www.RhiannonMusic.com
 
 
VOICESTRA

Standing (done in septets, or octets, or quintets…)

Person 1 starts a short phrase that has rhythm and can be easily repeated – The Motor.

Person 2 copies their phrase, trying to exactly match the texture, rhythm, tone, pitch, expression, body language. Then Person 2 makes up a harmony to Person 1’s part, keeping the same exact rhythm but adding different notes that are “pleasing to the ear.”

Person 3 copies Person 2’s phrase, trying to exactly match the texture, rhythm, tone, pitch, expression, body language.

Then Person 3 makes up a new part that can be a harmony or a new interlocking part, trying to fill in spaces that are left in the already existing parts.

Person 4 copies Person 3 (or 2 or 1) to get a feel of the group’s groove. Then Person 4 makes up a new part, that can either be a harmony or new interlocking part.

Person 5 and 6 same as 4.

Person 7 steps in front of the group, listens carefully  and delightedly to their groovy foundation, and improvises on top, inspired by their bed of sound, taking off on voyages as yet unknown. Person 7 can conduct the group, encouraging them to crescendo (get louder), decrescendo (get softer), and when ready, Person 7 ends the improv, which can be done either with a gradual fade, or an abrupt cutoff (or anything else that s/he can communicate to the group.

by Linda Allen

ASHES AND SMOKE

We have been burned, burned by the fire
And we are ashes, ashes and smoke
And we will rise higher and higher
On the wings of compassion,
justice, and hope

by Elise Witt
w/Sonia Osio, Kate Long, Joanne Hammil,
Sue Ribaudo, Ann Kilkelly, Carol Burch Brown, Inge Witt
© Non Si Sa Mai Music ASCAP

MY SALSA GARDEN

Do you have a recipe for my Salsa Garden?

Cilantro, lime, cumin, coriander
Onion, garlic for my Salsa Garden!

Really red, really ripe, really red, really ripe
Real tomatoes juicy juicy for my Salsa Garden!

Hot jalapeños, ayyyyy! For my Salsa Garden!

Dance with me in my garden, dance with me
Dance with me in my garden, dance with me

Ay que rico bailar contigo
Ay que rico bailar mi amor
Ay que rico bailar mi cielo
Dale sabor

Sabrosura, sabrosura
Picantico de mi amor
Cuando tú bailas conmigo
Se me hace agüita el corazón

arranged by Elise Witt
from a Sea Islands Spiritual
© Non Si Sa Mai Music ASCAP

Recorded on the CD
“Open the Window”
and available as a Choral Arrangement:
SATB, SSAA, TTBB

OPEN THE WINDOW

Open the window, children
Open the window now
Open the window, children
Open the window,
Let the dove fly in

Mama and Papa are fighting like snakes
Baby is crying like her heart will break
Neighbors lock their doors, build fences so high
Don’t see what’s to discover on the other side

Borders ’round countries, borders’ round the skies
The only border close you in is the border ’round your mind

Some people have money, some people have none
What’s the use of money if your heart’s gone numb

This big old world is in a great big mess
Let’s open the window, find peace and rest

ITALIANO

fatte a Zabaldano: 15 giugno 2019

RITORNELLO:

Aprite la finestra bambini,

Aprite la finestra ora

Aprite la finestra bambini

Aprite la finestra que entri la colomba

STROPHE:

1) C’e un bel panorama fuori

Che la gente si voglia piu bene!

2) Che sparisca l’egoismo

Che nasca un’era di armonia!

3) Anche s’e buio, il sole splende

Da una nuvola vedo un mondo colorato!

4) La scuola e finita, evviva le vacanze!

Il mare ci aspetta, e anche la montagna!

by Elise Witt with students from the Global Village Project

© Non Si Sa Mai Music ASCAP

I See You With My Heart

I see you with my eyes, I see you with my heart
Welcome! Welcome!
Ming-a-la-ba *BURMESE (Burma)

Gaw-la-GAY * KAREN (Burma)
Sti-reh-mah-sheh *PASHTO (Afghanistan)
A-ma-ho-ro *KIRUNDI (Burundi)
Hak-kahm *OROMO (Ethiopia)
Na-sa-ding-aa *MATU CHIN (Burma)
Namaste *HINDI (India)

I See You With My Heart PARTS