(Each week we look at one or two of the best choral works posted in the Composition Showcase here on ChoralNet. This is where we store a treasure trove of works that your choirs will love to sing and your audiences will love to hear.)
Ya La Lay by Stephen Bigger SSAATBB and orchestra or a cappella
Level: High School or Higher
Uses: General Concert Use
Program Themes: Joy, Music, Night, Love, African Languages
This Piece Would Program Well With: Bamthatha from Freedom is Coming by Anders Nyberg available from JWPepper and Sheet Music Plus
Whoopee! Ya La Lay! is a Swahili expression of joy. This is an extremely versatile piece. It can be sung a cappella with voices imitating the instrumental parts, with a large orchestra of instruments or anything in between.
Most ensembles are very diverse when it comes to European and even Asian languages, but how many African language pieces are in your repertoire? Give your audience and choir something they are sure to enjoy!
Ya La Lay! is available from the composer here: slbigger(a)rockarbormusic.com
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