Multicultural & World Music

The name Joachim Raff is known to many of us as the composer of works for piano. The research of editor Jeremy Wiggins tells us that there are hundreds of other works including many for choirs.

Perhaps the most well-known folk song from the country of Georgia, the poem speaks of lost loved ones who can still be found in "the rose's bloom, the nightingale's song, and the star's shining light."

This work, inspired by Mexican culture's perspectives on death, is written for choir and indigenous instruments, including: three ayoyotes, one ocarina, one death flute and one teponaztli, which are played

This work is based on a legend of the Rukai of Taiwan, a tribe of indigenous people. The story tells of a princess who secretly falls in love with the snake lord of the Ghost Lake. Opening with a soprano

Literally meaning "songs of a circle," these folk songs of Brazil are usually performed by children in a circle. These five pieces - Pai Francisco; Terezinha de Jesus; Pirulito Que Bate, Bate; 

Composed to teach three essential and specific music and dance styles in the Carribbean music traditions: the Cuban "son," the Puerto Rican "Plena," and the Dominican "Merengue." Accompanied by piano, bass

Young singers will love this short cycle of three pieces based on popular tongue twisters from Spanish-speaking countries: Pablito Clavo un Clavito; Tres Tristes Tigres and Como Poco, Coco

Possessing a positive, uplifting message of thankfulness in both English and Swahili, this joyful, rhythmic original features independent melodic lines in each part, making it fun to sing and easy to teach.

Young treble choirs will absolutely love this sparkling, joyous original set with strong and memorable melodies! Featuring a multicultural text with verses in English and the chorus in Spanish, it immerses

Here is authentic Kenyan folk music with insightful notes explaining the origins and usage of the music, extensive IPA and poetic pronunciation guides, and suggested rhythm instrument patterns. Ample

A beloved tradition at Passover Seders, this hymn is over 1,000 years old but this wonderful arrangement is fresh and new. Lively and upbeat, the selection features syncopated rhythms in the creative piano

A spirited musical retelling of a timeless Jewish folktale about the consequences of gossip. This colorful setting pairs the fable sung in Yiddish with a spoken narration of the story in English to be

Set to a poem by famed Spanish poet Antonio Machado, this original piece provides Spanish flavor in a modern pop style that is sure to appeal. Mixed meter gives an asymmetrical rhythmic feel, and the

This work has a mission: celebrate and unite the different cultures in our society by offering an upbeat and powerful anthem that includes Arabic, Bosnian, Hebrew and English. An easy-to-read phonetic

This setting of the Israeli folk song offers developing tenor-bass choirs a different take on the classic round. It offers rhythmic challenges and mixed meters along with some chromatic maneuverings

This highly dramatic traditional South African song is a true musical gem, presented a cappella at a slower tempo. Arranged by two South African composers who are experts in this genre, the arrangement is a

A Shango song from Trinidad reflecting the Yoruba tradition of West Africa, this appealing piece is performed a cappella with percussion. The voices should also be considered a rhythmic instrument when

This melody has been recorded by contemporary artists but has its roots as a traditional African song. With a text translating as "we are the burning fire," the song displays strength with its dynamic

Exuberant rhythmic energy abounds in this African-style original! The Swahili text of only four words translates: "We will dance! We will sing! We will be glad!" The only accompanying instruments are

This folk song is from a collection of native songs from New Mexico. The singers envy the owl who has wings and can visit a loved one while they cannot. The beauty of the folk song is in its earthy melody

This work has taken a nursery rhyme popular all over the Spanish-speaking world and arranged it for choir, piano and percussion. The words are about little chicks and their mother hen feeding them in the

This is a folk hymn from Estonia, with a text using a South Estonian dialect. The text enters the gospel passage of Jesus' words to "let the children come to me". The arrangement intentionally seeks to

This traditional Hawaiian chant has been set to an original melody to create a dynamic choral piece that teaches us to stand up together and support one another. An upbeat hook, a spoken-word section, and a

This classic and upbeat Malaysian folk song is about flying kites! It is usually sung while seated on the floor and while performing synchronized-choreographed movements and hand claps. This pentatonic