Counting Music (for SATB/Choir)

A fun little concert item for SATB/choir from composer Chris Lawry. (Warning! may upset the sopranos - tongue twister alert!). Text inspired by having to count bars rests and other irritants, so consists of only the words 'one' 'two' 'three' 'four' and 'and'!
A live version of the piece can be seen here: • Chris Lawry - Counting...
Sheet music is available to buy via download here: gum.co/GYUv or payhip.com/b/XDm3 or via other means from the composer's website here: chrislawry.com...

[@andgo100]

The best pieces are those that upset the sopranos.

[@johnpauloramos2802]

I never thought counting numbers could be ~this~ hard.

[@theclariman13413]

I love pieces that take an idea as simple as this and manage to make something memorable. Well done!!

[@gretemottus2305]

When your doing some hardcore math

[@shadowfox1221]

Our musical director bought this piece. It's so much fun, but it's HARD! But we'll get it, thanks Chris for making counting fun!

[@zacharylavender1568]

Great warm-up piece!

[@expilectakunai]

Man this is fun! I would love to perform this one, what a nice idea, and very well executed

[@guitarmann3001]

O my! Soprano's have to subdivide eighth notes and sing an independent rhythm from everyone else. This would be cake for percussionists and perhaps most trained instrumentalists.

[@jan2224]

This is a lot of fun. (she said as she tried to translate it into French)

[@MoonhouseMusic]

@Fereishte - Thanks. This version was done using East West's Symphonic Choirs VST via Cubase. The score in the vid was done on Sibelius. :)

[@user-cn2ek6pe1v]

Chris Lawry I am Japanese! I want to sing this song but I don't sell it in Japan ...

[@jerrodshack7610]

I thought this was real god damn

[@Fereishte]

Wow! Awesome! Love it! Inspiration to me as a composer.

[@cricoral]

Apaixonada nessa peça. 🇧🇷🇧🇷

[@kimberlycook-chennault794]

This is amazing and inspiring.

[@sci300768]

Thanks for the warning to the Sopranos, so they don't hate you for it!

[@liebejackson]

Loved it!!!!!!!

[@LivingUnlabeled]

This would have been so much better had the numbers been on their corresponding beats.

[@kennydreadfuls861]

NyoomBot you are missing the entire point. That is what makes the piece whimsical and difficult.

[@107PIE]

like it’s an read but since the numbers aren’t the same as the beats, it makes it difficult

[@naruto_uzumaki2012]

It's hypermeter

[@justiniantbh]

I think 1:16 to the end is the only part where the numbers correspond to their beats

[@ydva1317]

They DO you dummy. Starting at mm 10. Every half note is one beat, so the four count takes place over 2 bars...

[@wolfzatadaemus4632]

Err idk is just me or maybe my ear kinda deaf, i saw "4" on that video, but i hear sopran said five. :3

[@me4ever711]

This is awesome

[@Fereishte]

Thanks!

[@Fereishte]

What program was used to score and the audio since it is very realistic.

[@mattweston7772]

My question is this if the signature is 4/4 why the Altos say 1 if the note is on the second beat

[@MoonhouseMusic]

Hehe, two reasons Matt: In the intro, it fools the listener (without the score) into thinking they're on the beat, which clashes with the tenors when they join on the beat, creating an echo type of effect. :)

[@andesors]

Superb!

[@vickyoneill5574]

Chris - I can't get on to your site - it crashes on my ipad - although viewable and on my surface pro (windows 8) it doesn't load at all.... just thought you need to know... it's a shame because I'd really like some of your arrangements xx keep up the good work - absolutely love the counting song - it's fun, not too difficult for my choir to handle, but entertaining for the audience :-)

[@anduboi2750]

I tried to sing tenor for the whole song and i messed up already in measure 15

[@aristotletesticles8347]

That's a pretty funny idea!

[@robertthomson1587]

Fun!

[@augustsart5374]

This would sound even better if it used nonsense syllables considering it already sounds great.

[@aggie949]

Whay are there "1's" on beat two? Just curious. #NotHating

[@MoonhouseMusic]

Good question Aaron! At the start it's to fool the ear into thinking that it is the start of the bar, so when the Tenor joins actually on beat 1 there's some confusion before the ear readjusts. For interest, basically. Later on there are 1s on beat two echoing what's happening in other parts, for a more interesting effect. :)

[@jenniferoneal6179]

Love this! The beginning section kind of feels in cut time- great tool for teaching!!

[@zs1bochnia78]

nice :3

[@user-cn2ek6pe1v]

I am Japanese! I want to sing this song but I don't sell it in Japan ...

[@sofiacastro9015]

Fun! Any chance I could also have the sheet music please? :-)

[@rosiefay7283]

This would have been so much better if it had been a recording of a performance by humans. It sounds as if it's auto-generated; the consonant and vowel sounds are weird.

[@adhienhandikaramadhani9256]

is that free?? please answer me :))

[@box3229]

I’m in band

[@vlogniboggie896]

pls send me simpified arrangement tnx ilove the song

[@rogeriocampos5779]

Score?

[@alexritch6747]

Gives me Hogwarts vibes, not gonna lie. This sounds like something that would be for practice there.

[@timothyjoseph3867]

Sounded like some creepy shit lol

[@UnifyTruth]

ye like some metaphysical bullshit from harry potter or something magically fucked up. xD