Category:   COLLEGE & UNIVERSITY
Composer:   Abbie Betinis
Arranger:   NA
Publisher:   Santa Barbara Music Publishing
Edition:   SBMP-702
Voicing:   SATB div
Setting:   A Cappella

Reviewer:   

Dr. Matthew Ferrell
St. Cloud State University 2012
R&R Chair College & University

Energetic, exciting, and well crafted, this composition pays homage to early American shape-note singing. Betinis combines two folk songs from the shape-note tradition very effectively. The individual layers in the music combined with the bright and straight-toned vocal quality required for shape-note singing provides engaging challenges for singers. Although I have not yet conducted this work, I purchased it immediately after seeing a performance by Matthew Culloton and The Singers.