Appalachian Folksongs in the Choral Setting

261 Pages·2015·17.91 MB·English

by  Amy Kotsonis

Florida State University Libraries
Electronic Theses, Treatises and Dissertations The Graduate School
2014
Appalachian Folksongs in the Choral
Setting: Regional History, Traditional
Performance Practice, and Guidelines for
Arranging and Performance
Amy Kotsonis
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FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY

COLLEGE OF MUSIC

APPALACHIAN FOLKSONGS IN THE CHORAL SETTING:
REGIONAL HISTORY, TRADITIONAL PERFORMANCE PRACTICE,
AND GUIDELINES FOR ARRANGING AND PERFORMANCE

By

AMY KOTSONIS

A Dissertation submitted to the
College of Music
in partial fulfillment of the
requirements for the degree of
Doctor of Philosophy

Degree Awarded:
Spring Semester, 2014
Amy Kotsonis defended this dissertation on April 17, 2014.
The members of the supervisory committee were:

André Thomas
Professor Directing Dissertation

Frank Gunderson
University Representative

Judy Bowers
Committee Member

Kevin Fenton
Committee Member

John Geringer
Committee Member

The Graduate School has verified and approved the above-named committee members, and
certifies that the dissertation has been approved in accordance with university requirements.

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“The key to the mystery of a great artist is that for reasons unknown, he will give away his energies
and his life just to make sure that one note follows another... and leaves us with the feeling that
something is right in the world.”
- Leonard Bernstein

I dedicate this to all the great artists and teachers in my life, who have inspired, pushed, supported,
demonstrated excellence, have shown that there is always more that can be done, and through their
actions have shown true dedication and caring. Thank you for showing me what is possible, and
giving me something to constantly strive for. And to two of the most important teachers in my life,
my parents, I give my indebted gratitude. I would not be who I am today without you.

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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
I wish to thank a number of people, without whose knowledge and generosity this document would
not have been possible.
My sincerest thanks and appreciation for all the musicians and collectors who documented this
incredible legacy of music from the Appalachian region, who inspired me in every day of my
research with their stories and songs, and whose performances touched my heart and made me fall
in love with their music.
My thanks to Todd Harvey, and staff, at the American Folklife Center at the United States Library
of Congress in Washington, DC, for all the research assistance. Without his knowledge and
generosity of time, I would never have encountered many of my resources.
My thanks to Tom Buchanan, Margaret Pendelton, and the rest of the staff at Beethoven and
Company for their help in obtaining the choral octavos for this document. Especially to Shawn
Puller for the many hours he spent following up with orders.
My thanks to my friends who gave generously of their limited time to aid in the editing of this
document: Cara Bernard, Justin Giroux, Jenilee Hallam, Ryan Luhrs, Lisa Hart Olson, and Adam
Potter.
My thanks to my doctoral committee, whose guidance and teaching have been invaluable over the
last three years. Frank Gunderson, who served as university representative, and whose teachings
continually aided me in my research; John Geringer, for always being willing to share his thoughts
and time, both academically and personally; Judy Bowers, for the unending support, advice, and
teaching; Kevin Fenton, for the witty conversations and laughter, the endless encouragement and
guidance, and for leading by example; and André Thomas, for his unending availability and
dedication in directing this dissertation, his guidance and laughter, and for an incredible wealth of
knowledge and opportunities throughout my time at Florida State.
My thanks to my friends and mentors who have helped me throughout my career: my aunt, Gail
Adams Shunk, who was my first piano teacher and continues to be one of my most cherished
“colleagues;” to Jenni Cook and Larry Gerber, who helped me find my real voice; to Andy Boysen
and especially Bill Kempster for their conducting mentorship and friendship; to Francisco Núñez,
Elizabeth Núñez and Sophia Miller, whose endless support, laughter and inspiration for four years
made them family; and to Clifford Madsen, who influences my teaching every day.
To my chosen family from all the avenues of my life, I would not be where I am, or sane, without
your friendship, laughter, support and love. You all know who you are. To my FSU family, both
past and present, I have cherished our time together, and you have helped make this experience one
of the most incredible of my life. To Tucker Biddlecombe, James Brown, Michael Hanawalt, Justine
Sasanfar, and especially Jeffrey Benson, I would not have made it through this third year without
your guidance and support. To my Fab Five: Frances Fonza, Greg LeFils, Erynn Millard and
especially Lesley Maxwell Mann—you make me better every day, keep me grounded in times of
stress, and I am grateful to have taken this journey with you.
To my family, I would not be here without you. To Brooke and Peter Kotsonis, your
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encouragement and enthusiasm are ever-present and so appreciated; to Sylvie and Charles Kotsonis,
your smiling faces and joy that you inspire got me through many stressful days. To my parents, Bob
and Nancy Kotsonis, I could not ask for more support, understanding or caring. Thank you for
always believing in me, never thinking I was completely crazy for taking these leaps, and for
continually inspiring me with your strength, perseverance, laughter and love.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS
List of Tables ...................................................................................................................................................... ix
List of Figures ................................................................................................................................................... xii
Abstract ............................................................................................................................................................. xiv
1. INTRODUCTION: PURPOSES AND PROCEDURES ............................................................... 1
Problem Statement ................................................................................................................................... 1
Research Questions .................................................................................................................................. 1
Definition of Terms .................................................................................................................................. 2
Delimitations ............................................................................................................................................. 2
Need for the Study .................................................................................................................................... 3
Purpose of the Study ................................................................................................................................ 4
Procedures .................................................................................................................................................. 5
Organization of the Study ....................................................................................................................... 5
2. APPALACHIA: A HISTORY OF THE LAND AND PEOPLE .................................................. 7
The Appalachian Region .......................................................................................................................... 7
The People ............................................................................................................................................... 11
Native Americans and Early Frontiersmen ............................................................................. 11
The Settlers ................................................................................................................................... 14
Government Involvement .......................................................................................................... 16
A Land of the People ............................................................................................................................. 18
Appalachian Stereotypes ........................................................................................................................ 20
Literacy and Labor .................................................................................................................................. 21
3. APPALACHIAN FOLKSONG COLLECTORS ............................................................................ 24
A Brief History ........................................................................................................................................ 24
Francis James Child ................................................................................................................................ 27
Olive Dame Campbell ............................................................................................................................ 29
Cecil James Sharp .................................................................................................................................... 32
Maud Karpeles ......................................................................................................................................... 36
Robert Winslow Gordon ....................................................................................................................... 40
John Avery Lomax .................................................................................................................................. 44
Alan James Lomax .................................................................................................................................. 50
Jean Thomas ............................................................................................................................................ 55
Conclusion ............................................................................................................................................... 60
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4. FOLK TRADITIONS: SONGS AND INSTRUMENTS ............................................................. 61
Folksongs ................................................................................................................................................. 61
Instruments .............................................................................................................................................. 64
Fiddle ............................................................................................................................................. 64
Banjo .............................................................................................................................................. 66
Dulcimer ........................................................................................................................................ 68
Guitar ............................................................................................................................................. 69
Mandolin ....................................................................................................................................... 70
Jew’s Harp ..................................................................................................................................... 71
Mouth Bow ................................................................................................................................... 71
Traditional Performance Practice ......................................................................................................... 72
Vocal Traditions ........................................................................................................................... 72
Instrumental Traditions .............................................................................................................. 74
Cantometrics ................................................................................................................................. 74
Editions ......................................................................................................................................... 76
5. COLLECTIONS: FOLKSONGS AND FIELD RECORDINGS .............................................. 78
The Folksongs ......................................................................................................................................... 78
Barbara Allen ................................................................................................................................ 78
Cindy .............................................................................................................................................. 81
The Cuckoo .................................................................................................................................. 83
Frog Went A-Courting ................................................................................................................ 84
John Henry .................................................................................................................................... 86
Old Joe Clark ................................................................................................................................ 89
Paper of Pins ................................................................................................................................. 90
Pretty Polly .................................................................................................................................... 92
Pretty Saro ..................................................................................................................................... 94
Sourwood Mountain .................................................................................................................... 95
Traditional Vocal Sound ........................................................................................................................ 98
6. APPALCHIAN FOLKSONGS: CHORAL ARRANGEMENTS .............................................. 101
Choral Arrangements ........................................................................................................................... 101
Barbara Allen ......................................................................................................................................... 102
Cindy ....................................................................................................................................................... 110
The Cuckoo ........................................................................................................................................... 117
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Frog Went A-Courting ......................................................................................................................... 121
John Henry ............................................................................................................................................. 122
Old Joe Clark ......................................................................................................................................... 126
Paper of Pins .......................................................................................................................................... 130
Pretty Polly ............................................................................................................................................. 132
Pretty Saro .............................................................................................................................................. 133
Sourwood Mountain ............................................................................................................................. 137
7. CHORAL ARRANGING AND PERFORMANCE GUIDELINES ....................................... 144
Preliminary Background Study ........................................................................................................... 144
Choral Arranging and Performance Guidelines ............................................................................... 145
Meter and Tempo ...................................................................................................................... 145
Melody and Text ........................................................................................................................ 146
Accompaniment ......................................................................................................................... 148
Dialect and Ornamentation ...................................................................................................... 150
Conclusion ............................................................................................................................................. 152
8. SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS, AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FUTURE
RESEARCH .......................................................................................................................................... 153
Summary ................................................................................................................................................. 153
Conclusions ............................................................................................................................................ 155
Research Questions ................................................................................................................... 155
Other Conclusions ..................................................................................................................... 157
Recommendations for Future Research ............................................................................................ 158
APPENDICES ............................................................................................................................................... 160
A. APPALACHIAN FIELD RECORDING ANALYSIS ................................................................ 160
B. APPALACHIAN FOLKSONG TEXTS ......................................................................................... 182
C. PERMISSIONS TO REPRODUCE IMAGES .............................................................................. 215
REFERENCES .............................................................................................................................................. 234
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH ...................................................................................................................... 245

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LIST OF TABLES
1 Barbara Allen arranged by Linda Steen Spevacek ........................................................................ 103

2 Barbara Allen arranged by Katherine K. Davis ............................................................................ 103

3 Bar’bry Allen arranged by Joshua Shank ....................................................................................... 104

4 Barbara Allen arranged by Jack Kunz ............................................................................................ 104

5 Barbara Allen arranged by Carl Miller ........................................................................................... 105

6 Barbara Allen arranged by Tim Knight ......................................................................................... 106

7 Barbara Allen arranged by Donn Weiss ........................................................................................ 106

8 Barbara Allen arranged by John Rutter ......................................................................................... 107

9 Barbara Allen arranged by Mac Huff ............................................................................................. 107

10 Barb’ra Allen arranged by Jameson Marvin .................................................................................. 108

11 Barbara Allen arranged by Ron Nelson ......................................................................................... 109

12 Barbara Allen arranged by David Willcocks ................................................................................. 109

13 Barbara Allen arranged by André J. Thomas ................................................................................ 110

14 Cindy arranged by Ken Berg ........................................................................................................... 111

15 Cindy arranged by Walter Ehret ..................................................................................................... 111

16 Cindy arranged by Dave and Jean Perry ........................................................................................ 112

17 Cindy arranged by Jerry Weseley Harris ........................................................................................ 112

18 Cindy arranged by Earlene Rentz ................................................................................................... 113

19 Cindy arranged by Neil A. Johnson ............................................................................................... 113

20 Cindy arranged by Raymond Rhea ................................................................................................. 114

21 Cindy arranged by Michael Scott .................................................................................................... 114

22 Cindy arranged by Russell Robinson ............................................................................................. 115

23 Cindy arranged by Kirby Shaw ....................................................................................................... 115
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