Product Description
Ensemble: String Orchestra
- Violin I, II, III (opt)
- Viola
- Violincello
- Double Bass
- Rehearsal Piano
Duration: approx. 3:18
Content Level: 6-8
Mastery Level: 3
From the composer:
The experience of growing up mixed-race is common among students in classrooms across the United States. I am sure many students understand the experience of being seen as simultaneously too much and not enough of their racial-ethnic heritage. With both Irish and Mexican heritage, my cultural identity often felt difficult to reconcile and label growing up.
In preparing to write this piece, I reflected upon my love for music and dance from both Irish and Latin culture and decided to create an orchestral work that not only celebrates both genres, but merges them. This piece is a celebration of my mixed-race heritage, a statement that there is beauty in claiming ones whole identity and all its unique pieces.
The Swallowtail Jig is a classic Celtic fiddle tune that brings back fond memories of my childhood. Transitioning from the traditional jig in 6/8 into my own interpretation of the theme in 4/4, this piece turns into a feisty Latin style dance.
My hope is that this piece will inspire students to test the limits of their creativity as they explore cross-genre music and composition. I also hope this piece helps mixed race students feel seen and celebrated in the classroom.
Purchase includes score and parts.
Commissioned by The New Canon Project, a partnership between the American Choral Directors Association, the American String Teachers Association and Rising Tide Music & Arts.
This product was created by a member of ArrangeMe, Hal Leonard's global self-publishing community of independent composers, arrangers, and songwriters. ArrangeMe allows for the publication of unique arrangements of both popular titles and original compositions from a wide variety of voices and backgrounds.