Tshela Moya/Ke nna yo Morena

Category:   SSAA CHOIRS
Composer:   Traditional Sesotho Hymns
Arranger:   Michael Barrett
Publisher:   Walton Music
Edition:   11514262
Voicing:   SSAA
Setting:   NA

Reviewer:   

Katelyn Sawatzke
Stillwater Area High School
R&R Chair SSAA Choirs
sawatzkek@stillwaterschools.org

My colleague stumbled upon Tshela Moya/Ke nna yo Morena last summer while watching videos of Tuks Camerata on YouTube, and we both fell in love with Michael Barrett’s arrangement of these two traditional Sesotho songs. We programmed the SATB arrangement of this piece for our district choir festival at the beginning of the year and would do it again in a heartbeat. The homophonic texture, straightforward rhythms, consonant harmonies, and repetitive sections make it a fabulous teaching piece. Singers in 8th through 12th grade found it both accessible and musically fulfilling. The traditional call and response between soloists/small groups and the choir is reflective of South African choral music, and it provides an opportunity for more students to shine. As an added bonus, it aids in memorization – your choir will always know which section is coming next thanks to the soloists! While I haven’t done the SSAA arrangement, I’m sure it would be just as fabulous with a large group of treble singers. Your students will love learning about the characteristics of South African choral music through this piece! Don’t forget to add movement and percussion!

Link:  https://beta.jwpepper.com/tshela-moya-ke-nna-yo-morena-11347961-13188/p

Link:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aXcttZVhf0s