MELODY

The main idea of the music... the line that you walk away singing

FEATURED WORK “Simple Gifts”

The song “Simple Gifts” was written by Joseph Brackett, Jr. in 1848. This timeless Shaker hymn encapsulates the essence of simplicity, humility, and the pursuit of a harmonious life. The song’s melodic and lyrical charm resonates with audiences across generations.

Let’s Sing!

We have included a song for you to sing with us at the concert. “Simple Gifts” can also be played on instruments. We hope to hear an instrumental group from your school perform this song on your own before you all sing it with the orchestra. For those who will play, here are the directions:

1. Memorize the music so you can watch the conductor.

2. Possible instruments are: recorders, stringed instruments, Orff instruments, bells, xylophones, and autoharps.

3. Play the instrumental version through one time.

4. If autoharps are accompanying, they can play the chords marked above the notes. Play four bars of G-Major chords, one per two beats, as an introduction.