Simple Gifts (Shaker Dance Song) arr. for clarinet and piano

The Shakers were a Christian religious sect which grew out of a branch of Quakerism founded in England in 1747. The movement became popular in America during the 1780s and many small Shaker communities appeared. The Shakers were so-called because of their practices of ecstatic shaking and dancing during their religious activities. They were known for their simple living, egalitarian ideals and communal lifestyle. By the early 20th century, these communities had begun to dwindle and today, the sect has virtually disappeared. Simple Gifts is a song intended for both singing and dancing. The melody and lyrics have been attributed to Joseph Brackett, a member of a Shaker community in Maine, New England. The song was barely known outside Shaker communities until the American composer Aaron Copland used the melody in the score of the ballet, Appalachian Spring, first performed in 1944. In 1963, the English poet and songwriter Sydney Carter brought the song to a wider audience by adapting the original melody for his hymn Lord of the Dance. There are several variants on the original melody and the song has now become internationally recognized. This is a musically simple arrangement for B flat clarinet and piano and seeks to preserve the dance-like feeling of the song. Written in concert B flat major and C major, the lowest note in the clarinet part is written G just beneath the staff the highest note is written A just above the staff. The shortest notes in the clarinet part are eighth notes (quavers). The piano part is straightforward and could be managed by any competent pianist. This arrangement avoids awkward activity around the break and is about UK ABRSM Grade 3-4 standard. It would make an excellent and welcome addition to the young clarinetist's repertoire