Harry Harter - Koom Ba Yah SATB

Topic: Choral Arrangements
“Kum Ba Yah” was moving beyond music sung by groups for their own pleasure to a performance piece by 1958 when Fred Waring published a choral arrangement by Harry Harter.  It was the first one to use key changes for variation.

Harter emphasized harmony at a slow tempo.  Three groups sang the “kumbaya” verse four times.  None carried the melody, but each had part of it at one time.  After changing from one sharp  to [missing page] the sopranos sang “someone’s a-cryin’” as a descant.

After moving to two sharps, the same high voices sang “someone’s a singin’.”  The first time on one note, the second time with a descending contour, and the third alternating between two tones.

“Someone’s a-prayin’” coincided with a change to five sharps.  It ended with “So, Savior, Savior” rather than the “Oh, Lord” that slid from one note to another.

Performers
Sheet Music
Vocal Soloist: soprano in one section
Vocal Group: soprano, alto, tenor, bass
Instrumental Accompaniment: optional piano
Rhythm Accompaniment: none

Edward Becheras Choir
Vocal Soloist: none
Vocal Group: all male group singing arrangement for mixed voices
Vocal Director: Nelson Kwei
Instrumental Accompaniment: none
Rhythm Accompaniment: none

Credits
Cover: African Spiritual
Dedication: “To the Maryville College Choir and Mabel”
Footnote: African dialect meaning: “Come by here.”

© Copyright MCMLVIII by SHAWNEE PRESS, Inc., Delaware Water Gap, Pa.

Notes on Lyrics
Language: English
Pronunciation: dialect for “mah”; drops terminal G’s

Verses: kumbaya verse repeated with allusions to those published by Cooperative Recreation Service (CRS)

Pronoun: someone
Term for Deity: Lord, Savior
Special Terms: none
Basic Form: four-verse song
Verse Repetition Pattern: none
Ending: uses “Savior, Savior” in last line

Notes on Music
Opening Phrase: 1-3-5; same melody as that published by CRS; appears most often in alto part

Time Signature: none specified, 4/4 implied
Tempo: largamente, quarter notes = 42; gets progressively slower
Rhythm: same as CRS version

Key Signature: one sharp changes to [missing page], then to two sharps and ends with five sharps

Dynamics: varies between soft (“p”) and normal (“mf,” “mp”)

Basic Structure: two sections with key change marking division

Singing Style: one syllable to one note; two syllables for “Lord” one time

Length: 3:15

Harmonic Structure: Emphasis is on harmony with group repeating the “kumbaya” verse; the upper voices begin to sing verses as a descant in second half

Vocal-Accompaniment Dynamics: piano marks rhythm with four-part chords; Edward Becheras Choir sang a capella

Ending: slows tempo

Notes on Performance
Sheet music
Cover: long African mask of face in center
Color Scheme: black ink on white paper

Edward Becheras Choir
Occasion: 2016 concert
Location: stage with wooden surround
Microphones: none visible
Clothing: Black suits, white shirts, black ties

Notes on Movement
Edward Becheras Choir
Stand with feet apart on risers

Audience Perceptions
A sheet music footnote explains the title is an “African dialect meaning: ‘Come by Here’.”  The Fort Wayne Bible College interpreted “come by here” to mean one was “inviting Christ into the home.” [1]

The Music Educators Journal told readers that “Koom Ba Yah” was “an authentic African spiritual with unique appeal.” [2]

Notes on Audience
The Music Educators Journal mentioned Harter’s arrangement in February 1959, which was early enough for it be purchased for the 1959-1960 school year.  The first references I’ve found to performances are before “Kumbaya” was popularized by Joan Baez in late 1962. [3]

The arrangement must have been popular because Shawnee Press republished it for young men in 1959 and for women’s groups in 1960.  These are discussed in posts for 8 October 2023 and 29 October 2023.

Notes on Performers
Fort Wayne Bible College was founded by the Mennonite Brethren Church in 1904. [4]  The church became the United Missionary Church in 1948. [5]

Ballard, Washington, grew around a shipbuilding company that attracted Scandinavian immigrants.  It was absorbed by Seattle in 1907, [6] but kept its local high school [7] and ethnic heritage. [8]

The Edward Becheras Choir is associated with the all-boys’ Catholic High School in Singapore, which was founded by Becheras in 1935. [9]  He was born in France and trained at the Sepulchins’ Major Seminary in his native Viviers before affiliating with the Société des Missions Etrangères de Paris. [10]  In 1950, the Marist Brothers took over the school’s administration and added classes for younger boys. [11]

Nelson Kwei, director of the school’s choir, was raised in Singapore and earned a master’s degree in choral conducting from the Royal Academy of Music in London. [12]  The choir won its first major award under Kwei in 1999.  It since has become known for have students young enough to sing the parts normally reserved for female voices. [13]

Harter is discussed in the post for 29 October 2023.

Availability
Sheet Music:  Harry Harter.  “Koom Ba Yah.”  Delaware Water Gap, Pennsylvania: Shawnee Press, Inc., 1958 edition for SATB.  The copy I purchased was missing pages 3-7

Concert: “Koom Ba Yah.”  Fort Wayne Bible College A Capella Choir, Fort Wayne, Indiana, 1961.  Reported by the school newspaper, the Fort Wayne Bible College Vision, in January-February 1961.

Concert: “Koom Ba Yah.”  Ballard High School Concert Choir, Seattle, Washington, 28 February 1962.  Reported by The Ballard News on 28 February 1962 on page 1.

Concert: Harter, arranger.  “Koom ba yah.”  Big Twelve Festival Chorus and Orchestra, Champaign High School Champaign, Illinois, 31 March 1962.  Recorded by Century Custom Recording Service of Saugus, California. [WorldCat entry.]

Concert: Catholic High School Edward Becheras Choir, Singapore.  “Koom Ba Yah.”  Uploaded to YouTube website on 22 June 2016 by alex30059.

Graphics
Cover for Shawnee Press sheet music.

End Notes
1.  “A Capella Choir Tour Planned.”  Fort Wayne Bible College Vision, Fort Wayne, Indiana, 9(1):1:January-February 1961.

2.  Item.  Music Educators Journal 45(4):February-March 1959.
3.  Joan Baez’s recording is discussed in the post for 9 October 2017.
4.  “Taylor University.”  Wikipedia website; accessed 23 September 2023.
5.  “Missionary Church.”  Wikipedia website; accessed 23 September 2023.
6.  “Ballard, Seattle.”  Wikipedia website, accessed 23 September 2023.
7.  “Ballard High School (Seattle).”  Wikipedia website; accessed 23 September 2023.
8.  Wikipedia, “Ballard.”
9.  “Catholic High School, Singapore.”  Wikipedia website; accessed 23 September 2023.

10.  “Father Edouard Becheras, MEP.”  History of the Catholic Church in Singapore website.

11. Wikipedia, “Catholic High School.”
12.  “Nelson Kwei.”  Wikipedia website; accessed 23, September 2023.
13.  “Catholic High School Edward Becheras Choir.”  VY Maps website.