A Time For Peace

This gentle song is a natural for winter performances, though it can readily be used at any time of the year. The subject of peace is one we can never hear too much about, especially when children are singing about it.

Once again, the melody is simple enough to be learned quickly by most students. It is unison through the majority of the song, though there is an optional divisi at the chorus (measure 17). It is brief and feels so right to sing, your students should be able to do it well with a few rehearsals.

Our featured instrument in this issue is also our featured instrument in this song. This time, however, we have two flutes performing: a regular flute and an alto flute. The alto flute begins the song with a lovely melody which returns again and again. The flute soars above it, complementing both it and the vocal line throughout. Our flautist, Sharon Sparrow, did a very fine job on both instruments. Be sure to let your students listen to her perform as you study the song and/or the flute. If you would rather play the piano yourself and have a talented flautist of your own, the parts are included on the piano/vocal score, though you will have to transpose the alto flute part accordingly. The flute/alto flute duet could also work for other C instruments.

There's another way that you could use this song to advantage: as a feature for your own soloist. To give you an idea of how this could work, we have recorded this song twice, once with full chorus and once as a solo feature. You will hear them back to back in the full performance section of your recording. Our soloist is Katy Gentry once again. She has a lovely voice and wonderful style. (She also sang the solo in Sounds All Around Us.) We're guessing that you might have someone in your school who could also do justice to this song as a solo. The way we used it was to let Katy sing the verse by herself, then bring in the chorus for the divisi section, through the line Can't the time be right now? each time it occurs. Katy then finished the chorus, and eventually the song, in her own unique way. Let your potential soloist listen to Katy's interpretation for ideas, but don't insist she try to imitate her exactly. Her (or his) own style should shine through.