A Singing Wind

Songs and Melodies from Ecuador

Elizabeth Villarreal Brennan

Click to listen!

Click to listen!

ISBN 0-937203-61-0 Book alone $8.95
ISBN 0-937203-91-2 Book/audio CD set $14.95

This book and audio-CD set includes five popular Ecuadorian folk tunes, four short melodies, and a legend in typical arrangements for singing, recorders, dance, drama, guitar, and optional Orff instruments.

Haunting melodies and harmonies, interesting rhythms and spare instrumentation recreate the enticing sounds and atmosphere of the towering Andes Mountains.

Each selection includes cultural context, and suggestions for use. The songs and dances are woven through a typical Andean legend, ready for dramatic presentation.

This is an exciting resource for music, social studies, dance, drama and language classes.

The Book includes:

• Background information about Ecuador
• Copy-OK map
• Three songs and six instrumental pieces, including four short instrumental interludes to accomjpany the "Legend of Quinlli and Pasha"
• Musical transcriptions, translations and pronunciation for each song
• Clear dance steps, illustrated in several cases with photographs
• Pen and ink illustrations throughout
• Bibliography/Discography

The Companion Recording features:

• All musical selections from the book
• Clear pronunciation guides
• Two additional vintage performances by Las Hermanas Villarreal
• The musical accompaniment for a dramatic production of the "Legend of Quinlli and Pasha", presented in its entirety. This may be used for practice or performance of the legend by a student group.

About the Author:

Elizabeth Villarreal Brennan is an Ecuadorian musician and music teacher. Her father, a professional storyteller, communicated his love for the folktales and music of the Andes to his family. As a girl and young adult living in Ecuador and Colombia, Elizabeth played guitar, sang and danced in several ensembles specializing in traditional folk music, and appeared on radio, television and the stage. Elizabeth is certified in Orff-Schulwerk, and is on the faculty of the Settlement Music School in the Philadelphia area. She is dedicated to sharing the music of the Andes, particularly of her Incan people, with all ages.