Repertoire Assignment: Two-Part Treble

Al Shlosha D’Varim

Text: Pirkei Avot (Mishnah)

Music: Allan E. Naplan

            Al Shlosha D’Varim, set to music by Allan E. Naplan, is a fantastic selection for middle school voices. This basic two-part arrangement is like a structured partner song with two distinctly different, but functionally identical themes, making it beautiful, yet accessible to singers who may be new to the choral setting. The range (one octave from E4-E5), lack of large leaps in the melodic line, and harmonic simplicity make it ideal for developing vocalists. I would most likely program this piece with a middle school ensemble, preferably a choir of sixth graders.

            The first musical concept I would address through this piece is form. Al Shlosha D’Varim is a structured partner song; therefore I would probably introduce the song through a rote song sequence prior to providing them with the notation. All students in the choir would learn both parts. The next musical concept I would address is phrasing. I would have the students determine the phrasing through listening (to their performance and the performances of other ensembles), singing and chanting, and movement. I would also have them discuss critical decisions to drive how we perform the piece (i.e.; How many phrases in each melody? How many measures in a phrase? How are the measures grouped? Where do we breathe? Why?).  I would also spend a great deal of time discussion how the construction of this musical selection (i.e.; melody, harmony, accompaniment) is reflective of the text.

            For me, the text is what makes this musical selection most appropriate for the middle school setting, and valid for teaching. The text translates as follows:

The world is sustained by three things,

By truth, by justice, and by peace.

Middle school can be a very turbulent time for students, and the text of this selection is extremely hopeful. On days that we worked on this piece, I may consider selecting readings having to do with truth, justice, or peace and have an open discussion with the students about ways in which they have seen the power of truth, justice, or peace in their lives.

            This selection works really well as written for unchanged voices; however I would need to make adaptations for changed or changing voices. This could pose a problem, as adding additional parts could disrupt the integrity of the form. First, I would consider transposing it into a new key. Next, I would consider the possibility of creating a bass line that reflects the harmonies of both parts. My fear with this approach is that the individuals singing the bass line may get bored with a very repetitive line. Finally, I would consider composing a harmony line for both melodies, creating a four-part texture to maintain the integrity of the form.