|
HI ERE KANTARI:
You too a singer |
Basque songbook for English speakers
Like other aspects of
our culture here, Basque singing is at a crucial juncture. Basque
song can often still be heard at our various gatherings, but it is only
a handful of people who can actively take part because few can recall
all the lyrics. Inevitability, most singing sessions includes a
good portion of "la-la-la" when the words escape us. An interest
in Basque singing endures, especially at events as the annual "Kantari
Eguna," but it is important that we make an effort to reach those
interested people with something that can help them to better take part
in the festivities. With the "Hi ere kantari" songbook, more of us
can learn the words and tunes of popular Basque songs. Everyone
can be transformed into a participant at Basque sing-alongs.
Our proposed project,
therefore, would consist of several parts:
-
Identification of each song--author and recorded version
-
a one paragraph English introduction for each song
-
the accompanying sheet music for each song
-
an accompanying compact disc with a short portion of each song to
quickly familiarize the listener with the tune.
As those who attended
the dinner following the Winnemucca meeting know, there is something
quite special—and energizing—about singing together. Now that this
is my job, I aim to finally complete a project I initiated years ago.
Yes singing in Basque has declined in recent times, but that doesn’t
mean that we can’t try to bring it back. I believe that a good
many like singing in Basque, but many just don’t know the words.
That is what this project aims to remedy. Let’s see if we can’t
create more Basque singers—Hi ere kantari means “You too a singer”—all
the while promoting Euskara.
Collaborators:
Darrin Schuck, Joseba Etxarri & various guest singers/musicians
|