Sydney Guillaume — Kalinda (2003) [w/ score]

This is Sydney Guillaume’s exciting choral work “Kalinda.” This was Sydney’s first choral work, written during his junior year at the University of Miami Frost School of Music. Sung in Haitian Creole, the text (written by Sydney Guillaume’s father, Gabriel T. Guillaume) sets a celebratory, festive atmosphere, with the music containing Latin-influenced rhythms and sound effects using various phonetics. In the beginning, the singers are purely conversing with each other, saying various friendly greetings in Creole like “Sak pasé?” (What’s up? / How’s it going?), “Nap Boulé.” (Chillin’ / Hanging in there.), “Koté mizik-la?” (Where’s the music?), and “Koté tanbou-a?” (Where’s the drum?). About 15 seconds in, the tenors start the music with the words “Mezanmi tande.” (Listen, friends.). The chatter dies down and the different sections of the ensemble join in one at a time until the music is in full force.
Gabriel wrote about his text, “Humans can make wonders and can even be proud of spectacular accomplishments; but in reality, everything comes from the Creator. All talents and all treasures are divine blessings that must be used to the benefit of all. Let’s praise God and let’s share generously.”

COMPOSER: Sydney Guillaume
POET: Gabriel T. Guillaume
CONDUCTOR: Jo-Michael Scheibe
CHOIR: University of Miami Frost School of Music Chorale

TEXT (Haitian Creole):
Mezanmi tande, wi se poun tande:
Kalinda, jan ou ka kalinda,
Se gran mesi kout tanbou.
Kalinda, jan ou ka kalinda,
Ou te mèt byen banda...
Se gran mesi kout tanbou,
San li pata gin Kalinda.
Oh, Ala bèl, wi sa ta bèl,
Oh bèl, oh bèl,
Si tout moun teka jwen tanbou.
Ayibobo!
Kalinda, jan ou ka kalinda,
Se gran mesi kout tanbou,
Joumou pa donnin kalbas,
Zannanna pa donnin pengwen;
Tout bon bagay, se prodwi bon bagay.
Tout sa ki byen, soti nan sa ki byen.
Mèsi kout tanbou, gran mèsi kout
tanbou.
Ayibobo!
————————————
TEXT (English translation):
Listen friends, yes you have to listen:
Dance, the best way you can,
It’s thanks to the sounds of the drum.
Dance, the best way you know how,
You can dance as much as you can…
It’s thanks to the sounds of the drum,
Oh, how beautiful
Without which, there would not be any
dancing.
Oh how beautiful it would be,
If everyone could find a drum.
Ayibobo! (*victory cry*)
Dance, the best way you know how,
It’s thanks to the sounds of the drum.
The apple does not fall far from the tree;
All good things derive from good things
Thank you, drumbeats.
It is thanks to the sounds of the drum.
Ayibobo! (*victory cry*)

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