Three Caribbean Songs Games

Three Caribbean Song Games

For Double Second Steel Pans

By Paul Paccione

Three Caribbean Song Games (2009-10) for Double Second Steel Pans

by Paul Paccione I. O Young Gal, Go Roung Da Ring II. Ophelia’ Letter Blow ‘Way III. In My Hand I Have A Rose Program note: Caribbean children’s song games, from Trinidad and Tobago, were the inspiration and source of these three short pieces.

Each piece begins with a traditional children’s song sung alone by the percussionist. My own musical setting of the text, for double second steel pans and voice, then follows the traditional tune sung and accompanied on double second steel pans by the percussionist.

For the percussionist, the interaction between the voice and pans part is a game in itself. It is a reflection of the ritualistic actions children traditionally make when singing song games. The piece was written for and commissioned by percussionist Rick Kurasz.

Published by Frog Peak Music, Box 1052, Lebanon, New Hampshire 03766; www.frogpeak.org