Hi, I have recently commenced working with a group of children (Grades 3-6 - primary school) who combine with an adult choir at our Cathedral twice a month. Most of the children do not read music but can pick up simple things, for example I have recently taught them the Cantus line for the Byrd 3 Kyrie. Does anyone know of any simple/short motets - they could be 4 part harmony - but involving simple treble/soprano lines that I could teach these kids?
I used the soprano line of the Arcadelt Ave Maria with my grades 4-8 (but mostly 6th grade) small group. They've also learned the soprano of the Elgar Ave Verum Corpus. Parishioners thought both were beautiful, and both are easily combined with adult choirs.
Also the SAB Palestrina "Jesu Rex admirabilis" (Rick Wheeler's edition, with an additional verse in the polyphony and added chant verses as well, is attached).
Pueri Cantores has a list here of rep for young choirs.
In addition, Pueri Cantores also has rep for this year's festivals available here and here.
You may not agree with all of Pueri Cantores' choices, but you'll have a sizable selection of things to look through.
Jesu Joy of Man’s Desiring - Bach Sleepers Wake - Bach
Saint James Music Press has a “chorister” series geared toward this idea. It has motets and anthems for unison treble with organ accompaniment, or the full SATB score.
There was a practice, at least in Spain, of singing motets as vocal solos with the singer taking the appropriate solo part and instruments filing in the rest. Here is O Magnum Mysterium done that way in a recording:
You could have the kids learn the soprano line and support them with organ playing the motet underneath them. While this particular motet may be hard for kids, there are probably other things out there that would not.
Hopefully, this will give them an appreciation for this type of music and give them a head start if they do something similar in the future.
Another thought would be one of the ad libitum communion chants from the Graduale like Qui Manducat. That might be hard for kids. But I don’t think kids would be turned off by hard if they can see progress towards a good product. And once they get it, it can be used often.
To participate in the discussions on Catholic church music, sign in or register as a forum member, The forum is a project of the Church Music Association of America.