In Celebration of the Human Voice - The Essential Musical Instrument

Ron Kean

Living in: Bakersfield, CA.
Dr. Ronald Kean, Emeritus Professor of Music at Bakersfield College, recently retired after completing his 30th year of teaching in California. He was awarded the 2012-2013 Distinguished Teaching Award by his colleagues. He is Past-President of the Music Association of California Community Colleges (MACCC) and Past-President of the American Choral Directors Association Western Division following six years as Repertoire and Standards Chair for Ethnic and Multicultural Perspectives at state, division, and national levels. He was selected to be the 2007 California Music Educators Association Multicultural Educator of the Year. The Bakersfield College Chamber Singers under his direction have performed at state, division, and national ACDA conventions. He is frequently called upon to adjudicate festivals, lecture, and to conduct workshops and honor choirs in the US and abroad.

Sheet Music Series
Ron Kean Multicultural Choral Series

Songbooks, Arrangements and/or Media

Displaying 1-2 of 2 items.

Ron Kean : The Journey of Harriet Tubman

This 5-movement, multi-media, Choral Drama honors one of the great heroes of the emancipation era. Scholars have no idea how these spirituals were performed before the Civil War, but they agree that there was probably very little European influence. Dr. Kean's goal was to compose and arrange music in a style that is evocative of the enslaved Africans' frame of mind based upon their west African musical heritage and in their sociological context. He chose to accompany the spirituals with kalimba (thumb piano) to honor the west African tradition of connecting with ancestors and the marimba to sound like the west African balafon. Medium to difficult.

Ron Kean : The Journey of Harriet Tubman

This 5-movement work pays tribute to one of the great heroes of the emancipation era. Ron Kean brings authentic expression to the spirituals that served mulitiple functions for the African-Americans of that time. The African heritage sings true in the renderings he offers, and the journey of those who sacrificed becomes a story we can relive and honor. A simple percussive accompaniment provides the foundation for a truly artistic expression that will move an audience to tears. Medium to difficult.

Individual Folios

Displaying 1-14 of 14 items.

Ron Kean : 'Til Time and Times Are Done

With a melody based on a traditional Irish jig, the lyrics of this work by W.B. Yeats describe a whimsical daydream that becomes a lesson in values as life reaches its end. The music is rich and artistically crafted, bringing the dance of the jig into the song of dreams. Tuned harmonic whirlies and a handdrum add tastefully to the piano accompaniment.

Poetry By: William Butler Yeats

Ron Kean : 'Tis the Season

Mattie Stepanek was 14 when he died, but his poetry and enthusiasm caught the notice of celebrities and presidents. Ron Kean has taken Mattie's Christmas poem of peace for all the world and created a melody that helps the message soar. Fitting for children's choirs, treble choirs and even mixed choirs, this is a wonderful song of hope and love.

Ron Kean : A Christmas Carol Poem

This elegant Christmas poem comes from the late 19th-century English poet G. K. Chesterton. The music maintains the orderliness and symmetry of the lyrics, colored with 21st-century harmonies. The combination is poignant and stirring; traditional yet new.

Ron Kean : African Processional

Selected for the Ron Kean Multicultural Series, this piece utilizes sounds from African folk songs. With a myriad of percussion instruments, the rhythm is set. A joyful chorus emerges with an occasional solo interjection.

Country: Africa

Ron Kean : Agnus Dei: Music of Inner Harmony

An expressive Agnus Dei is paired with the treasured American hymn Shall We Gather at the River, each perfectly complementing the other in both emotion and spirituality. Available: SATB, 2-Part.

John Gerhold : American Mass

Here is a masterpiece; a missa brevis merging American hymns and spirituals with traditional liturgy. The unique nature of this work will enable this to be performed in both church and school programs. Available separately: SATB, Listening CD (SATB), Preview CD Pak (SATB), Chamber Orchestra Parts, Chamber Orchestra Score (for SATB), Full Orchestra Parts, Full Orchestra Score (for SATB).

Arranger: John Gerhold

Ron Kean : Brown Penny

This Ron Kean setting of the Yeats' text displays his skill. Perfect for treble choirs of all ages. Add the optional violin, accordian and whistle to complete the performance.

Poetry By: William Butler Yeats

Ron Kean : Ise Oluwa

Now available for 3-Part, this multicultural piece uses various Nigerian percussion instruments to great effect.

Country: Nigeria

Ron Kean : Only My Dreams

This famous William Butler Yeats text has never been set with such originality. Describing the vulnerable qualities our hopes and dreams embody, Kean shimmers a chord with improvised overtones that demand new definitions in sound. High schools, colleges and festivals will clamor for this wonderful work.

Poetry By: William Butler Yeats

Ron Kean : Swing Low, Sweet Chariot

Composer and conductor Ron Kean went back to the roots of spirituals, back to Africa, to create a setting of this much loved spiritual in a style that is remarkably different. Part of the larger work The Journey of Harriet Tubman, the mixed choir is accompanied by kalimba and marimba. A solo part and body percussion for the choir is also included. A superb work for festival choirs.

Ron Kean : The Lake Isle of Innisfree

Ron Kean uses a text by William Butler Yeats and appropriately dons it with an Irish musical dressing. The flute is really not an optional addition. You are easily transported to the region through this character piece that dances and flourishes in the land it celebrates. A delightful fugal section bounces with a dum didle dee text eventually emerging into a colorful, and thoughtful singing section. For advanced high school and college choirs. Medium to difficult.

Poetry By: William Butler Yeats | Country: Ireland

Ron Kean : The Rose That Bare Jesu

Ron Kean has made this famous 14th century English Christmas poem magical. ÿAn enchanted and delightfully charmed sense of mystery overwhelms the listener from the start. A delicate dance ensues and merges themes and text. Jonathan Talberg has selected this medium-difficult piece for his series which caters to college and community choirs.

Ron Kean : The White Birds

The strong Irish flavor in this song is unrelenting, whether fast or slow. The pensive Yeats poem pulls at the heart and demands thoughtfulness. Ron Kean's music accomplishes that and more, bringing a serenity and beauty to a love song that dances and pines. For college and community choirs, medium difficult but worth the effort.

Poetry By: William Butler Yeats

Ron Kean : Wondrous Love

A sense of wonder permeates the opening, clearly in awe of God's magnificence. The text is familiar but the tune is new, the choir accompanied by piano alone. Then as the text deepens the Wondrous Love Southern Hamrony tune emerges with the brass. An SSA canon verse is absolutely captivating. Then the entire piece opens up into a majestic celebration to a final Easter finish. Medium in difficulty for Easter morning worship.

Composer: Walker's Southern Harmony