Page 218 - Voice for Life Songbook 1

38. Halle,halle,hallelujah!
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Track 38
Information
This short Caribbean song can be used as part of a warm up.The simple countermelodies provide an excellent opportunity for developing part singing.As it comes from the oral tradition it is easy to teach without the music and should ideally be sung from memory in performance.
Preparation
Teach the melody to your choir by rote. If they struggle with the syncopation around the rests you can include a clap during your rehearsal:
Make sure your singers don’t sing through the rests, even when the word itself carries over (as above).
Next teach the countermelodies.The singers of Countermelody 1 need to imagine they are double basses producing the walking bass line – this shouldn’t be sung too legato – they should imagine that the strings are being plucked not bowed!
Once all the parts are secure, perform the song through. Be creative about building up the parts, and perhaps even removing a part so that your singers can enjoy hearing how their parts fit together.
Musical skills and understanding
What key is this short song written in?
What is the pitch name of the lowest note in Countermelody 1?
What is a leger line? Where can you find an example in the score?
Can anyone identify the first rest in the melody part (bar 2)? What type of rest is it? How long should it last?
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(Clap)
Hal  le, hal  le, hal  le    lu   jah!
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