Welcome to the Jungle

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In some cultures fireflies may not have a positive reputation. But in Japan, where they are called “hotaru,” they are beloved and have been a metaphor for passionate love in poetry since the Man'yōshū (the oldest collection of Japanese poetry dating to the 8th century). Hotaru Koi, a traditional Japanese children’s song, playfully calls to fireflies as they flicker over water on a summer night. Japanese composer and arranger Rō Ogura (1916–1990) brings the song to life with interwoven vocal lines, rhythmic energy, and dynamic contrast, creating a sense of movement and mystery that mirrors the fireflies’ elusive glow. Translation available.

Bring Me My Shadow is based on the poem “Three” by Li Bai (701–762), a Chinese poet from the Mid-Tang dynasty. That period of time is often called the “Golden Age of Chinese Poetry” with Li acclaimed as a genius and a romantic figure who took traditional poetic forms to new heights. American scholar Burton Watson states that an important characteristic of Li Bai’s poetry “is the fantasy and note of childlike wonder and playfulness that pervades so much of it.” Composer Matthew Erpelding holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Luther College in Decorah and completed his DMA in Choral Conducting and Pedagogy at the University of Iowa.

Flooding Rains is one of many original works created by Australian composer Harley Mead (1971–2014). Mead was a well-known composer, conductor and educator who was regarded not only for his expertise as a teacher and musician but also for his ability to inspire and encourage others. His compositions, of approximately 100 titles, have been performed widely across Australia and overseas. He often used a mixture of instruments and vocal timbers to explore and enhance the colors and palette of his musical vocabulary. Mead also loved the story-telling aspect of music-making, and the dramatic nature of Flooding Rains is a prime example of that love. He writes of the song:

On February 15th, 2008, I sat at the Mackay airport with a colleague waiting to fly to Brisbane. As the time passed, the horizon grew darker and the air heavy. The plane departed on time and it was not until the next morning that the force of the heavy air and ominous horizon was realised. The Mackay floods of 2008 devastated schools, families and businesses. Time has passed, buildings have been repaired, yet the memory of the “Flooding Rains” will remain forever. Mackay is a magnificent city with a strong sense of community. The inspiration for this song came from the personal stories of the children who experienced an amazing event. Some felt sadness, others surprise, some felt excitement of the adventure, others felt “really really wet”. Mackay is filled with resilient people who rebuilt their lives and have developed a stronger sense of unity.

The English poet Thomas Hood (1799–1845) was often dismissed as a “lesser poet” of the Romantic Era. Though he was known in his lifetime as a comic writer, today he is best known for his more serious work. His poem “The Stars are with the Voyager” is certainly more poignant and in keeping with the era than his other works. Eleanor Daley (b. 1955) is one of Canada’s most successful and gifted composers of choral music. Her treatment of Hood’s poem shows the rich imagination and lyricism for which her work is known.

Rudyard Kipling (1865–1936) begins chapter seven of his classic The Jungle Book with a mother seal singing softly to her young pup. The remarkably talented composer Eric Whitacre (b. 1970) says of his piece The Seal Lullaby, “I was struck so deeply by those first beautiful words, and a simple, sweet Disney-esque song came gushing out of me. ... [I] sang it to my baby son every night to get him to go to sleep. (Success rate: less than 50%).” Whitacre is a Grammy Award-winning composer and conductor whose works are performed worldwide, and his ground-breaking Virtual Choirs have united well over 100,000 singers from more than 145 countries.

Tjak! was inspired by a Balinese musical ceremony long known to world music fans as Ketjak, or The Monkey Chant. The Balinese original is, of course, richly connected with the culture of the performers, and full documentation of the ceremony would take pages. However, there are two key ideas that will help with understanding both the original ritual and Tjak! Firstly, in memory of an epic battle when the monkeys poured out of the jungle to come to the aid of noble Prince Rama, the monkey chant imitates hordes of chattering monkeys leaping into action. Secondly, the chant is meant to have a purging, cathartic effect, in part because it is believed that demons can only move in straight lines, and so the cross-accents and syncopations created by the layering of ostinati (repeated patterns) bewilder the forces of evil and keep them at bay. This is why the voices and hand claps of Tjak! form a series of rhythmic mazes and aural labyrinths.

The Lion Sleeps Tonight (known originally as Mbube) is a song written and recorded by South African Zulu musician, singer and composer Solomon Linda (1909–1962) in 1939. It was covered internationally by many 1950s pop and folk revival artists, including The Weavers, Jimmy Dorsey, Yma Sumac, Miriam Makeba, and The Kingston Trio. In 1961, it became a number one hit in the U.S. as adapted by the doo-wop group The Tokens. It went on to earn at least $15 million in royalties from covers and film licensing. In the mid-nineties it became a pop phenomenon when Warner Bros. promoted its Ace Ventura films and licensed the song to Walt Disney for use in the film The Lion King, its spin-off TV series and live musical, prompting a lawsuit on behalf of the impoverished descendants of Solomon Linda.

The coconut palm is an unusual tree in that nearly all of its parts can be used for something. In the Philippines this tree and fruit, known as buko, is an important food source; it is used to make cooking oil, drinks, desserts, sweets, cosmetics, medicine, as well as floor polish, waxes, cleaners, and a whole lot more. Locals say houses made of the coconut wood fare best through the extreme environmental conditions and tropical storms inherent in the Philippines. Da Coconut Nut presents a wonderfully entertaining look at some of the many uses for this extraordinary plant. Ryan Cayabyab (b. 1954 in the Philippines) graduated from the University of the Philippines College of Music with a bachelor's degree in music composition, and went on to teach music theory and composition there for almost two decades. His musical output consists of several masses, award winning film and television scores, short symphonic works, ten full-length Filipino musicals, a major opera, full length ballets, solo and instrumental works, orchestrations of Filipino folk, popular and love songs, three one-man a cappella song albums (he provided all 16 voices), and scores of popular songs sung by top Filipino recording artists.

The Gilbert Fine Arts Boosters are a group of Gilbert area parents and patrons who volunteer time and resources to enhance the fine arts programs offered by the Gilbert school system. This is done in many ways, including the following:

• Communicate with fine arts teachers and staff to determine their needs and how we can best help to meet those needs.

• Help represent fine arts priorities to Gilbert school administrators and the board.

• Organize volunteers as needed to support fine arts activities. Recent examples include arranging treats for plays/musicals and coordinating volunteers for music contests.

• Solicit, receive, manage, and disburse funds to support the fine arts programs at Gilbert. Some examples from recent years include:

  • new band uniforms and choir robes

  • money for the middle school Adventureland trip and elementary theater field trips

  • scholarships

  • new music

  • contest judge and accompanist support

  • new instruments

  • middle school music awards

  • art supplies and equipment

  • meals and snacks for students at arts activities

We support the arts for all ages and grades at Gilbert! For more information, to join us, or to make a contribution to the choral programs, email fineartsboosters@gilbert.k12.ia.us.