Choral

A Parliament of Owls is a celebration of collective nouns in three contrasting movements, with saxophone, percussion and piano duet accompaniment. English collective nouns encapsulate in an intrinsically attractive way something characteristic of the group, for example 'a gaggle of geese', 'a piteousness of doves', 'an ostentation of peacocks'. Carol Barratt's text assembles these evocative expressions into hilarious nonsense poems entitled 'Irrestistible and noisy', 'Quietly sitting still' and 'Monstrous mayhem' which will challenge your choir's powers of enunciation as never before. A riotous piece which will entertain performers and audience alike, and very likely bring the house down!  

This utterly charming and accessible three-part arrangement for treble choir progresses from unison to 2- and 3- part counterpoint. The upbeat and gently syncopated third verse of Shady Grove is cleverly juxtaposed with the folk song The Cuckoo, whose call can be heard in the flute part throughout. This beautiful setting will provide choirs with excellent opportunities to develop a sense of phrasing, and to sing musically and expressively. Duration: 3:10.