Shenandoah is one of the most well-known and beloved Americana folk songs. Originally a river song detailing the lives and journeys of fur traders canoeing down the Missouri River, the symbolism of this culturally-significant melody has been expanded to include its geographic namesake – an area of the eastern United States that encompasses West Virginia and a good portion of the western part of Virginia – and various parks, rivers, counties, and academic institutions found within.

 

Admittedly, while creating the wind ensemble version of this arrangement, I was thinking to myself how powerful it would be for this to exist as a choral arrangement as well. I'm embarrassed by how long it has taken for me to create this choral version; however, I'm proud to have finally created it, as choir feels like the perfect medium for these textures and harmonies. 

 

This arrangement recalls the beauty of Shenandoah Valley, not bathed in golden sunlight, but blanketed by low-hanging clouds and experiencing intermittent periods of heavy rainfall (simulated by body percussion effects performed by the members of the ensemble). There are a few musical moments where the sun attempts to pierce through the clouds, but ultimately the rains win out. This arrangement of Shenandoah is at times mysterious, somewhat ominous, constantly introspective, and deeply soulful.