Rainy Day Getaway
CLaS Assessment Level: 2.6
Rainy Day Getaway is a fun piece done in a traditional calypso style that paints a picture of warm breezes, swaying palm trees and sandy beaches. Just what most of us need when February rolls around each year and we’re faced with rain, clouds, snow and sleet. The mood is festive and light with a repeating interlude that is reminiscent young children singing a playful song. The piano part adds to the rhythmic feel of the piece to create a true Caribbean experience.
Type of ensemble: This selection is SAB with lots of unison melodic parts in octaves. It could be performed just SA if need be, but the baritone line adds a lot of depth in the harmony.
Technique teaching points: This is a happy, carefree type of song that needs lots of confined energy. The dynamic range is quite limited so the contrast has to come from accented phrases and crisp releases. As a contemporary calypso piece this song could also be an introduction to world music.
Story line: The story is highlights daydreaming in a Caribbean holiday setting. Letting go of your troubles and just relaxing in a tropical paradise.
Program placement: This is an excellent encore piece or perfect just before your intermission break. Light-hearted, quick-paced and just plain fun to listen to.
Product Includes: Sheet Music * Lyric Sheet * Soprano MP3 * Alto MP3* Baritone MP3 * Piano MP3 * FullMix MP3
Who is Rainy Day Getaway for?
Rainy Day Getaway is a fun, and easy piece to learn. The song is for anyone looking for that last minute tune to add to their concert program. Given the lyric line, this song would be a great addition to a Winter program, when everyone is surely looking forward to some sunny weather ahead.
This song is also great is you want to introduce world music or music history teaching points in the classroom. Calyspo music has a long history rooted in slavery. It originates from Trinidad in the 17th century, and was brought by African slaves that worked in the Caribbean island sugar plantations. The slaves were stripped of all connections to their homeland and family. They were not even allowed to talk to each other and used the music as their means to communicate. Many early calypsos were sung in French Creole.
Modern calypso, however, began in the 19th century and its early rise was closely connected with the adoption of Carnival which the French brought to Trinidad. Calypso competitions at Carnival grew in popularity, especially after the abolition of slavery in 1834.
The first identifiable calypso genre song was recorded in 1912, by Loveys String Band while they were visiting in NYC in 1914. This clip gives examples of several Calypso tracks.
