5

simple rounds
for your choir

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Belle Mama (Call Mama)

for four voices

This simple but gorgeous round is incredibly easy to learn because the words are repetitive. It
works best in four parts and makes a great warm-up.

The origin of this tune is not certainly, but seems most likely to be from Cameroon.

You’re welcome to copy this sheet.

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By the Waters of Babylon

for three voices

This is one of our favourite rounds of all time. The harmonies it creates are absolutely
beautiful. It was written by English composer Philip Hayes in the 1700s, but is more well-known
from Don McLean’s 1971 album “American Pie”.

You’re welcome to copy this sheet.

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When I Sing
for four voices

This delightful round in four parts creates a beautifully dense major harmony. You can further
sub-divide it into eight parts, with a new part joining each bar, but what you gain in complexity,
you lose in harmony. Give it a try!

You’re welcome to copy this sheet.

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Alleluia Gracia Deo

for three voices

This is a nice little round that’s easy to learn and good for range building because it covers an
octave and a minor third, so your low-voice singers will be stretched a bit at the top and vice
versa.

You’re welcome to copy this sheet.

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Tallis Canon
for 4 or 8 voices

The Tallis Canon is a tune familiar to choral singers all over the world. It was composed
around 1560 and was contributed to Matthew Parker’s Psalter. The words used below were
written by Thomas Ken in the seventeenth century.

This canon is easily learned and sounds gorgeous. It is usually sung in four parts, but can be
sung in eight if you’re feeling adventurous. It’s a great piece for helping singers to really listen
to each other and learn how harmonies fit together. If numbers allow, try getting your singers
to stand in one big circle, and have each person singing at a different time to their neighbours.

Once your singers can sing the canon without referring to the dots (or even better, teach it by
ear), use if for practising tempo and dynamics so that you have pin-point control.

Four part version

Eight part version

You’re welcome to copy this sheet.