Trinity College London's Singing syllabus offers a wide range of songs that beautifully combine poetry with music, giving singers the chance to explore different literary and musical styles. Below are some of the standout pieces from our Singing repertoire lists:
Initial Grade: 'The Walrus and the Carpenter' by Lewis Carroll, music by Haria
This whimsical piece brings to life Lewis Carroll's playful poem, capturing the curious tale of a walrus and a carpenter through a punchy, syllabic vocal line.
Grade 1: 'A Little Lovely Dream' by Sarojini Naidu, music by Anand
A gentle lullaby that sets Sarojini Naidu's tender poetry to music, creating a serene and dreamy atmosphere.
Grade 2: 'The Miller of Dee' from Songs of England, text often attributed to Isaac Bickerstaffe, arr. Hargest Jones
This lively folk song tells the story of a content miller by the river Dee. The simple, flowing melody reflects the peacefulness of his life, while the piano accompaniment mimics the rhythm of the mill’s work.
Grade 3: 'Song of a Dream' by Sarojini Naidu, music by Anand
This song brings Sarojini Naidu’s imagery to life, with the music mirroring the poem's dreamlike quality.
Grade 4: 'Silent Worship' (Non lo dirò col labbro) by George Frideric Handel, arranged by Somervell
Originally an aria from Handel's opera Tolomeo, this piece is presented in its English adaptation, ‘Silent Worship’, conveying silent love and devotion.
Grade 5: 'Love Response' by Paul Laurence Dunbar, music by Adams
Paul Laurence Dunbar's heartfelt poetry is set to expressive music, exploring themes of love and emotional depth.
Grade 6: 'Die Lotosblume' by Heinrich Heine, music by Robert Schumann
Heinrich Heine's poem ‘Die Lotosblume’ portrays a lotus flower that hides from the sun and reveals itself only at night to its lover, the moon. A metaphor for lovers in the night, Schumann's lied, part of his Myrthen collection, uses delicate repeated piano chords and a flowing vocal line to reflect the gentle, elusive beauty of the flower.
Grade 7: 'The Heart of a Woman' by Georgia Douglas Johnson, music by Adams
Georgia Douglas Johnson's poignant poem is given a soulful musical interpretation, delving into the introspective journey of a woman's heart.
Grade 7: 'Das Fischermädchen' by Heinrich Heine, music by Franz Schubert
Another of Heine's works, this song portrays a fisher maiden's allure, with Schubert's composition enhancing the poem's romantic and melodic qualities.
Grade 8: 'Auf einer Wanderung' by Hugo Wolf, text by Eduard Mörike
This song describes a walk through a small town, with the music reflecting the peaceful yet contemplative mood of the journey.
These pieces not only help develop vocal skills but also allow performers to connect with the deeper emotions and stories conveyed through the marriage of poetry and music.
Enjoyed reading the suggestions in this blog? Be sure to explore our other posts on the UKI blog this month, all centred around the theme of Poetry & Spoken Word!
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