THE SONGS

And a description of sheet music arrangements of these songs

sung by

Hampton Avenue

FEATURED ON 3 CDS:

1. ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS

2. EVERYBODY SING

3. A GIFT OF HARMONY

Levels of Difficulty of sheet music arrangements
(all of which are available for sale in the Market Section):

*Medium-Easy: Harmony parts are fairly straightforward and easily taught.

*Medium: Singers should be able to sightread and tune inner harmonies some of which may be fairly close.

*Challenging: Harmonies are sometimes very close and dissonant, and could be difficult to tune. Time signatures may be a bit complicated at first reading.

CD #1: SONGS ON "ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS" ---

    All I Want for Christmas: This arrangement divides the group into 2 choirs. One choir sings the often-harmonized melodic theme, while the 2nd choir sings horn-like answers and affirmations. A funky solo bass singer provides the bass accompaniment. Although our version is sung to a programmed rhythm track, the song can be effectively performed with hand claps.


    Sheet music is in the form of Choir 1 and Choir 2 SATB
    Level of difficulty: Medium.
    *

    I'll Miss You This Christmas: This tune is a standard jazz type ballad featuring a verse section, sung by solo soprano , backed by lush group jazz chords. The group sings the main development of the song, with solo interludes throughout.
    Sheet music is in the form of SSAATTB (it is essentially SAATTB).
    Level of Difficulty : Medium-challenging
    *


     
    Santa Claus is Comin' to Town: This old familiar Christmas song has been arranged in a fun, finger-snapping, jazz style, and features some scatting and solo opportunities for various members of the group.

    Sheet music is in the form of SSAATB.
    Level of difficulty is Medium-easy.
    *

     
    In a Manger: This is a song written lyrically in the style of a traditional Christmas Carol. The 2nd verse is sung with some challenging harmonies that have a jazz twist. Our version, tailored to the pop sound of our voices, is in the key of A major. Many legit choirs may find this a bit low -- so we also have a version in the key of C. Please specify which key you prefer when you order.

    Sheet music is in the form of SSAATTBB
    Key of A -- Hampton Avenue's Version, or Key of C for legit choirs
    Level of Difficulty is Medium
    *
    Charlie Brown Christmas: This is a medley consisting of 2 popular Christmas songs from the Charlie Brown animated special, shown every Christmas on TV. The "Linus and Lucy" theme song is sung as a vocal instrumental, and segues to the beautiful "Christmas Time is Here."

    Sheet music: is in the form of SSAATTB
    Level of difficulty: Medium-challenging.
    *

     
    Glory Halleluiah: This is a fun, up-tempo, finger snapping little tune, with some good basic jazz harmony.

    Sheet music: is in the form of SSAATTB
    Level of difficulty: Medium-easy.
    *

     
    Dancing: This is a lilting carol written in varying time signatures -- 5/8, 7/8, 6/8 -- which
    are natural and smooth, and not complicated, once the carol becomes familiar. The chorus in 6/8 is a lively refrain about how the world is "Dancing with joy, for the love of a baby boy".

    Sheet Music: is in the form of SSATBB
    Level of difficulty: Challenging.
    *

     
    Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas: This traditional popular seasonal tune has been arranged with lush jazz harmonies; with a short solo in the middle that can be sung by tenor or soprano.

    Sheet music: is in the form of SSAATTB
    Level of difficulty: Challenging.
    *

     
    Talk With Santa: This is an original tune with a "swamp-type" groove provided by the vocal group, while a soloist with a young voice sings of a child's wish to stay awake, so she can meet Santa, and do her small part to make the world a better place

    Sheet Music: in the form of Soprano Solo, plus SAATB
    Level of Difficulty: Easy-medium.
    *
    Angel's Lullaby: A gentle, soothing lullaby in 3/4 time. The vocal harmonies are rich, modern and close at times, creating a lush angelic texture and build.

    Sheet Music: in the form of SSAATTBB
    Level of Difficulty: Challenging.
    *

     
    Jingle Bell Rock: This traditional seasonal pop-tune everyone knows, has been arranged for tenor soloist and accompanying vocal group in a finger-snapping acappella version.

    Sheet Music: in the form of Tenor Solo, plus SAATTB
    Level of Difficulty: Easy-Medium.
    *

     
    Candles in the Windows: This tune, written in the form of a pop song, was originally written for a Children's Choir with Adult SATB accompaniment. The lyric to the tune is "politically correct" and may be sung during the festive season without offending any religions. The tune bursts into a climactic finale when the children's chorus adds a moving descant to the final chorus.

    Sheet music: in the form of Children's Choir, Soprano Solo, SAATBB
    Level of difficulty: Medium.
    *

     
    Caribbean Christmas: This song was written with a very rhythmic calypso feel. It is divided into 2 choirs -- one sings the melody, and the other choir provides overlapping vocal rhythmic effects.

    Sheet Music: SSAATTBB;  SATB; SSA with Guitar Chords
    Level of Difficulty: Easy-Medium.
    *
    Night of His Birth: This is a gentle waltz, with lush jazz harmonies providing short solo opportunities for members of the group.

    Sheet Music: In the form of SSAATB
    Level of Difficulty: Challenging.
    *


    Carolling, Carolling: This is a fun, joyful little tune, written with tongue firmly in cheek, about the rigours and challenges of assembling a group of singers to go Carolling. blend, freezing our fingers, Written in 7/8 and 6/8 it is energetic and light hearted and can be sung with much good humour.

    Sheet Music: In the form of SAATTB
    Level of Difficulty: Medium-challenging.

    CD #2: SONGS ON "EVERYBODY SING"--
    Everybody Sing:This is a funk-inspired song, recorded with a sequenced vocal percussion track. It is divided into 2 choirs, with one singing melody, while the other choir provides horn-like shots and accompaniment. There is a funky bass part, written to keep the groove going. The song may be easily performed with or without vocal percussion.
    Sheet Music: SAT/SATB
    Level of difficulty: Medium-challenging
    *
    Make Lemonade: This song has an African flavour, and is written with simple harmonies and catchy , inspiring lyrics. Many choir members can sing one line solos, answered by the rest of the choir.
    Sheet Music: SSATTB, SATB or SSA(with chords for inst. accompaniment)
    Level of difficulty: Easy
    *
    The Gathering: This song has a pure, slightly celtic, flavour that hints of country styling. The harmonies are pure and simple, and the words, sung by solo tenor with group accompaniment, are especially inspiring and full of hope.
    Sheet Music: SSATTB with Tenor Solo,  or SSAA with Soprano solo
    Level of Difficulty: Easy
    *
    In A Mellow Tone: This Ellington classic is straight down the middle vocal jazz, with a very challenging soli section in the middle -- not to be attempted by the weak at heart. Harmonies are close, and 16th notes fly by. There is a section for a scat soloist.
    Sheet Music: SAT/SATB
    Level of difficulty: Challenging
    *
    Baila: This is a Cuban inspired tune with a merengue beat. There are vocal horn shots and accompaniment in close harmony, with a driving bass line keeping the groove intact. A breakdown in the middle allows everyone to do a bit of vocal percussion. This may be sung without "VP" but it is good if someone provides merengue type percussion -- either vocally or with a percussion instrument.
    Sheet Music: SSAATTB,  or SATB
    Level of difficulty: Medium
    *
    Here's That Rainy Day: This is another challenging jazz arrangement, involving close, dissonant harmonization. Tuning can be tricky, and a modulation in the middle of the tune is a very effective build, once it is conquered. A tenor solo starts and ends the tune.
    Sheet Music: SSAATB
    Level of difficulty: Challenging
    *
    Foodblooz:This is a 4 part women's choir arrangement, with a female blues soloist singing the lead. In the lyric section, you will see that this song addresses an important issue concerning female body image, and any women's choir can have a lot of fun with it.
    Sheet music: SSAA
    Level of difficulty: Medium
    *
    Fixing a Hole: Another pure jazz arrangement of a Beatles standard, this is easy flowing, but at times challenging with crunchy harmonies. There is a tenor soloist during parts of the tune.
    Sheet Music: SSAATTBB
    Level of difficulty: Medium-Challenging
    *

     
    Corner of My Mind:This is a ballad, featuring solo Alto, with lush group accompaniment. The song has a pop flavour, with jazz harmonies throughout.
    Sheet Music: SAATTB
    Level of difficulty: Medium
    *
    Shoofly Pie and Apple Pan Dowdy: This is a fun swing arrangement of an old standard, with an added ending that offers a great build, and some stratospheric notes for "first trumpet sopranos".
    Sheet Music: SAATTB
    Level of difficulty: Easy
    *
    Shodioh:A latin flavoured bossa-nova, featuring a male and female duet, while the group adds rhythmic chordal accompaniment. A breakdown in the middle allows a buildup of parts added one by one, to reach a horn-like climax.
    Sheet Music: SSAATTBB
    Level of difficulty: Medium
    *
    Voce Etude: This is another latin flavoured tune with no lyrics to worry about. It is a study in vocal tuning, where attention must be paid to keeping the pitch up in the many ascending and descending parts in each vocal range. The end of the tune builds to a funky open-length outro, where various people can scat while the group and bass section, accompany them.
    Sheet Music: SSAATB
    Level of difficulty: Easy
    *
    Let's Jive:This is a lively swing arrangement with shout choruses and fun lyrics, based on the big band swing arrangements of yesteryear. It is a lot of fun to perform.
    Sheet Music: SSAATTBB
    Level of difficulty: Medium

    CD#3: Songs on:  A Gift of HARMONY
    with love from
    Debbie Fleming

    Big Band Medley:  This 6 minute medley has swatches of 9 songs from the big band era -- with many tempo and key changes.
    Sheet Music:  SSAATTB
    Level of Difficulty:  Challenging
    *

    Qué Pasa:A zippy samba with a challenging melody and fun lyrics, and a midsection for  open scatting based on 2 chords.
    Sheet Music:  SSAATTB
    Level of Difficulty:  Medium
    *

    Crazy in Love:A medium swing tune with '40's feel and some quirky harmonies and fun lyrics.  Flows "like buttah".
    Sheet Music:  SSAATBB
    Level of Difficulty:  Medium
    *

    Bing Bang:  A Salsa tune with double entendre lyrics and a proven hit with audiences
    Sheet Music:  SSAAA;  SSAATBB
    Level of Difficulty:  Medium
    *

    Harmony:  A catchy, uplifting gospel-flavoured tune with a "choral rap" midsection.
    Sheet Music:  SSAATTB
    Level of Difficulty:  Easy
    *

    Cuban Night:  An easy cha-cha for solo male and female, with accompanying vocals in the style of a cuban horn section
    Sheet Music:  SSAATTB
    Level of Difficulty:  Medium
    *

    Great Love Story:  A "Doobie-flavoured" song written for the wedding of Hamptonites Suba and Dylan, with a strong 6/8 rhythm.
    Sheet Music:  SAATTB
    Level of Difficulty:  Medium-Easy
    *

    I'll Never Smile Again:  A lovely ballad from the 1940's, arranged in the style of the '40s vocal groups.
    Sheet Music: SAATTB
    Level of Difficulty: Medium-Easy
    *

    More In Love:  An easy bossa for lead alto, and creamy vocal accompaniment.
    Sheet Music:  SAATTB
    Level of Difficulty:  Medium
    *

    Mantra: A self-affirmation journey based on a simple theme that may be sung in unison and in rounds.
    Percussion may be added to your taste (in our case we used tabla, udu drum, tamboura and alapana solo) creating a very South Asian tableau.
    Sheet Music:  One page, one melody, one lyric, with additional Bass and Tenor Drones
    Level of Difficulty:  Easy
    *

    Canadian Anthem #1:  This is sung in French all the way through, and segues smoothly into the complete English version.   Either version can be used alone.  The English version has a modulation and a gospel flavour to the finale.
    Sheet Music:  SSAATBB
    Level of Difficulty:  Medium
    *
    Canadian Anthem#2: Combination of English and French in one go-through.
    Sheet Music:  SSAATBB
    Level of Difficulty: Medium
    *
    U.S. Anthem:  This version of Star Spangled Banner has some unusual chords and harmonies which are quite stunning when your ear gets used to it.
    Sheet Music: SSAATB
    Level of Difficulty:  Medium


     
     
     

    Please see the Hampton Avenue Market if you are interested in purchasing and sheet music, CD's or tapes.