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"New York City-based Jim Papoulis composes, orchestrates, and conducts music for dance, film, ensembles, and choirs. His compositions are known for exploring new modes of musical communication by honoring and connecting classical and traditional forms with non-Western sounds."

What do you think non-western sounds means?

Watch this video about Jim Papoulis!

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Sounds of a Better World: Small Voices Calling

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Sounds of a Better World: Small Voices Calling

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Sounds of a Better World: Small Voices Calling is a compilation of choral and solo songs sung in styles from all over the World! Give Us Hope comes from this work.

Read the names of some of the pieces in this larger work.

A Place Called Hope
A Light Inside
When I Close My Eyes
Is It Hope?
Can You Hear

Here is what Papoulis has said about these songs:

"SOUNDS OF A BETTER WORLD = small voices calling is a series of songs focusing on children. It examines their world and how small steps can be made to improve it...

"What I have come to understand is that we must send the best part of ourselves into the future through our children. If we want society to evolve, we need to understand the importance of childhood, and how vital our role should be in doing whatever we can to nurture every child."

Answer Questions 2, 3, and 4!

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Amy F. Bernon is the composer of She Sings, and is a very popular female composer and her pieces are sung all over the world! Read some excerpts from an interview about her and about She Sings.

About She Sings:

"Ms. Bernon dedicated the text “for Anna, who loves to sing”. In an e-mail correspondence with the composer, she shares that Anna is a former choir and voice student who is “just a very special person and natural musician.” Anna is a busy married woman and teacher, and is too busy to sing for her own enjoyment now. She knows that Anna will return to singing someday. The text was written by Amy F. Bernon."

Interviewer: Do you write music for your own enjoyment, or is it strictly a business?

(Hint: Partial answer to #5!)

AFB: Honestly, it is a business, but such an enjoyable one. Almost everything I write has a purpose (commission, something for my publisher, etc.) Some pieces feel like work, while others flow more easily."

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Read this description from a publishing website about She Sings:

"The haunting yet whimsical quality of this piece, almost folk-like in nature, is truly refreshing! The lyrics center around a child who loves to sing during the day while playing, and at night "cries for those who have never loved and for those who never sing." These words will stir the emotions of all who hear them, and the lovely, flowing music really lets them shine!"

Listen to the last 30 seconds of the song and then answer question #7

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Dr. Susan Brumfield arranged our version of Bandyrowe for choir. Read this excerpt of Dr. Brumfield's bio from her website!

"Dr. Susan Brumfield is the founder and Artistic Director of The West Texas Children’s Chorus... [She is] in frequent demand as a commissioned composer, clinician and guest conductor...

"Dr. Brumfield’s other publications include Hot Peas and Barley-O: Children’s Songs and Games from Scotland, Over the Garden Wall: Children’s Songs and Games from England, and Kentucky Mother Goose, co-authored with American folk legend Jean Ritchie. She is currently working on Giro Giro Tondo: Children’s Songs and Games from Italy..."

Answer question #8

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Listen to the first 2 verses of this version of Bandyrowe by singer Jean Ritchie (who popularized this song, but more on that later), then answer question #11.