High School Choir 2nd Nine Weeks Writing Prompt - Carol of the Bells

Carol of the Bells (Shchedryk, shchedryk)

"Carol of the Bells" is a popular Christmas carol, composed by Mykola Leontovych with lyrics by Peter J. Wilhousky. The song is based on a folk chant known in Ukrainian as "Shchedryk".   The song is based on a traditional folk chant. It was associated with the coming New Year which, in pre-Christian Ukraine, was originally celebrated with the coming of spring in April. (This explains the reason why the original Ukrainian text speaks about a swallow returning and lambs being born.)

The original Ukrainian text tells the tale of a swallow flying into a household to proclaim the plentiful and bountiful year that the family will have. The title is derived from the Ukrainian word for "bountiful". The period for the birth of animals and the return of swallows to Ukraine, however, does not correspond to the current calendar season of winter.

It was introduced to Western audiences by the Ukrainian National Chorus during its concert tour of Europe and the Americas, where it premiered in the United States on October 5, 1921 at Carnegie Hall. A copyrighted English text was created by Peter Wilhousky in the 1930s, and since then it has been performed and sung during the Christmas season. Its initial popularity stemmed largely from Wilhousky's ability to perform it to a wide audience in his role as arranger for the NBC Symphony Orchestra, trained especially for Arturo Toscanini. 

Leontovych originally created the piece as an assignment for a harmony course he was taking by correspondence to demonstrate the use of a four-note pattern known as ostinato. The ostinato motif, a repeated four-note pattern within the range of a minor third, is thought to be of prehistoric origins: a New Year's chant known in Ukrainian as "Shchedryk" [the Generous One].

SOURCE: Wikipedia.com (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carol_of_the_Bells)

USING THE ABOVE INFORMATION, AND YOUR PERSONAL EXPERIENCE WITH THE PIECE, EVALUATE THE PERFORMANCE

1. Evaluate the singers.  While the language is Ukranian, and the singing takes place in a rather live hall, do the singers sing with relative ease?  Evaluate their posture, their jaw placement, and how their body language enhances the piece being performed.
2. The original piece was written about a swallow flying into a household.  How do the accompanying parts differ in this version from the US version? Why do you think Wilhousky changed the US version and decided to make it all about bells?  How did his changes to the accompanying parts in his version make this more effective as a bell carol?
3. Why do you think this piece stands the test of time?   Many high school, collegiate, and community choirs sing this piece.  What about it makes it an appealing piece, and a favorite for audiences?
4. Use details to back up your statements.
5. Check for spelling and grammar.

HANDWRITTEN RESPONSES WILL BE COLLECTED IN CLASS ON FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 7TH

ELECTRONIC COPIES WILL BE ACCEPTED THROUGH MIDNIGHT ON SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 9TH

THIS ASSIGNMENT IS WORTH 10% OF THE SECOND NINE WEEKS GRADE FOR CONCERT, WOMEN'S, AND A CAPPELLA CHOIR.

MARIGOLD WOMEN'S CHOIR - "SHCHEDRYK"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gBDFMD5kLvc