Work
A Charm for Rain: He Tua I Te Rangi
for SSAA choir and piano
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About
While the word ‘charm’ is mostly used to mean something pleasing, it can also mean an action thought to have magical power, or the chanting of a magic word or verse - an incantation. It can also be used as a collective noun, usually of birds.
This traditional text in Maori is a plea for the rain to depart and blue skies to appear. Preceding this, I have added several Maori terms for different types of rain – from misty rain through to drenching heavy rain. Rhythms in the work are often suggestive of typical Maori chant and kapahaka rhythms.
Difficulty note
Suitable for school and community choirs
Dedication note
Dedicated to Cantare (Westlake Girls High School) and conductor Fiona Wilson
Text note
Text from a traditional Maori charm