OPE L’O PE RE. (If not for you) SATB - Arranged by Oladapo Okunmuyide
This is an experimentation of the established evolution of the choral art music in Nigeria, which is a blend of the western art music with the Nigerian/African traditional music, by using the music materials (melody, form) and/or instruments.
Ope l’ope Re, is a choral arrangement of a common church praise song in Yoruba language (a Nigerian language). It is an expression of my gratitude to God for the journey so far.
In a three-section of ternary form - A B A`, it opens with the main melody by the lower voices and immediately followed by the rhythmic harmony with Soprano repeating the theme. The second section includes the introduction of new material, in a different key; a perfect mix of two existing melodies - one is a common hymn tune in Yoruba (O God our help in ages past, Tune: St. Anne) and the other is another Nigerian praise melody (Ope lo ye O - Thanks be to Thee), taken by a tenor solo. The homophonic movement of the choir with the solo, climaxed with a modulation to a new key. The final section is a variation of the opening theme, with African dance rhythm by the ATB parts in ostinato. This section is also to be accompanied by percussion. The percussion rhythm is experimental too.
Special Thanks to the musicians who volunteered to do this on short notice.
Soprano: Sommer Jones.
Alto : Jemma Allen
Tenor: Rhys-Maxwell Barnes, Donovyn Chambers. Mason Kurtz.
Bass - Kehinde Omosoh.
Piano: Bart Retrberg
Percussions - Alex Drews. Gary Reed. Braden Kiser
Conductor: Oladapo Okunmuyide.
I appreciate my composition instructor, Dr. Decker.
Composer's forum, Eastern Illinois University, Charleston, Illinois USA.