Starting in 2006, I began an effort to improve my music teaching. The first step was to commit to earning a Masters of Education. Fortunately, at that time, there existed a unique, world class Masters in Music Education program at a small, Catholic university in Oakland, California. I enrolled at Holy Names University in 2004 and received my degree in 2006. For a decade after, I remained active in the HNU community, singing in the Chamber Choir and helping to update the technology.
The program focused on the teaching philosophy of Zoltán Kodály, a Hungarian composer with a deep interest in the musical education of children. A significant component of the Kodály “method’ is the use of folk songs in the curriculum. Several times I challenged myself to compose interesting, challenging arrangements of what I thought were interesting, perhaps under-appreciated American folk songs.
“If (Ef…) I Had a Ribbon Bow” was first recorded by Maxine Sullivan, in 1937 the song later covered by Fairport Convention.
My arrangement plays on a minor/major chord that works beautifully with the modal melody. Interestingly, I don’t think the guest clinician (from Hungary) liked the piece at all. I still remember her shaking her ahead. She was particularly confused by the use of the word “Lord”, which she thought should only be used in a religious context. Following the performance I had quite a few members of the choir approach me to tell me how much they enjoyed the piece.
Sean Breen 