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Repertoire & Resources

My singers, however, needed more than Bulgarian for my choral ensembles and presenting them success-
music. As I searched the listing of world music con- fully to the American audiences. I felt fortunate to have
ferences, I realized that I also craved to communicate gained some understanding of varied cultures, and
with other professionals with similar backgrounds and confident that I could study, teach, and interpret their
interests. I needed to recharge my artistic batteries with specific cultural and musical characteristics with integ-
new ideas, outlooks, and experiences, born out of re- rity and appreciation.
search, creative writing, travel, and connection with So, here I am, the curious world traveler, sitting in
other cultures. The answer to my wishes was the Bien- my midwestern American home, planning my new sea-
nial International Symposium and Festival of the Cen- son of choral programs. One of them, “An Interna-
tre for Intercultural Music and Arts, at the time held tional Quilt,” will soon be presented on the campus of
at the University of Granada, Spain. I was excited by Hanover College. By the way, if your inquisitive mind
the aims of the event to provide a forum for discus- wants to check out “To Chicago and Back” by Aleko
sion among composers, scholars, performers, educa- Konstantinov in English translation, just search the
tors, critics, publishers, artists, and others involved in wide world of the Internet.
intercultural idioms, and to facilitate the process of de-
velopment, study, and understanding of the new inter-
cultural idioms in music.
Over the years, the organization and its events were World Musics and Cultures
transformed or no longer exist. However, the forum in Repertoire Recommendations
Spain was a noteworthy opportunity for me as a pia- by Madlen Batchvarova
nist, singer, educator, and music historian with interests
in ethnomusicology to feature my research, and further Makedonska Humoreska
my knowledge in the field. As a choral conductor I Composer: Todor Skalovski
had the chance to meet other colleagues and exchange Editor: Kathleen Rodde
valuable information on selecting world music pieces SSA divisi unaccompanied

Macendonian composer
Todor Skalovski created his
electrifying Makedonska Humor-
eska for mixed and for treble
choirs. This playful, humor-
ous folk-like song utilizes a
Phrygian dominant mode
(Phrygian with a sharp 3rd
scale degree) that is traditional
in the Middle Eastern, East-
ern European, and Flamenco
music. The song offers endless
possibilities in interval studies
(augmented melodic seconds
and tritones), and mastering
mixed meters (7/8, 8/8, 3/4).
An IPA pronunciation guide is
included with the octavo.

64 CHORAL JOURNAL March/April 2023 Volume 63 Number 7