Mary Goetze

Review: 'Simply Sung' is a collection of a cappella arrangements for classroom use through which young singers can develop the ability to maintain a vocal part in a texture of two or more voices. Suitable for the classroom and for beginning treble choirs. It is a supplement to 'Music for Children'. The author is a Professor of Music at the Indiana University School of Music where she teaches music education courses and directs a vocal ensemble.

Songlist: Wade in the Water, My Good Old Man, Kol Dodi, There's a little wheel a-turnin' in my heart, Dodi Li, Shoo Fly, Shenandoah, The Ole Ark's a-moverin', Shine like a Star in the Morning, The Boll Weevil

Review: Mary Goetze presents here a setting of the most familiar variant of this traditional folk ballad, 'Scarborough Fair,' in which two lovers make impossible requests of each other. The texture shifts from homophonic to imitative counterpoint. Brief dissonances created and resolved by stepwise progression of the accompanying voices reflect the bittersweetness of the text. 'Hold the Wind,' a simple yet stirring melody in the mixolydian mode, was sung by a blacksmith. The simple harmonization highlights the beauty of the melody. 'Shenandoah' is set with very simple ideas which complement and support the motion of the beautiful melody. The accompanying voices can be learned quickly, for they sing like melodies and progress by step. 'Old Joe Clark,' a familiar fiddle tune of our American heritage is arranged in a playful setting which captures the flavor of the jocular text.

Songlist: Scarborough Fair, Hold The Wind, Shenandoah, Old Joe Clark

Review: 'I'm Goin' Home' - Arranged with a simple and accessible vocal accompaniment that enhances the intense hope expressed in the text and melody. Stepwise contrapuntal melodic phrases and repeated harmonic patterns provide a carpet of vocal sounds for the inspiring melody. Builds to an effective climax in the coda with an unexpected harmonic turn. 'Great Getting' Up Morning' - Choirs of all ages will enjoy this joyful melody, which expresses great optimism and anticpiation. The range of the lower countermelody is narrow enough to accommodate the early phases of boys changing voices or those with a narrow range. This song will be appropiate for older choirs of treble voices. 'Give Way Jordan' - An imitative part and a lively counter-melody accompany the simple refrain of this spiritual, contrasted by the verse in which singing in parallel thirds is practiced.

Songlist: Give Way, Jordan, Sing Alleluia, Allelu, Great Gettin' Up Mornin'!, I'm Goin' Home on a Cloud