Waiata I Te Kainga [Strings Version] - PDF Score and Parts

W A I A T A    I    T E    K A I N G A  for Strings 
"Songs From Home"
 
Composed by Lachlan Pierce
Grade 1.5
Three Movements
Written in January 2017 in Colorado Springs, Colorado
Arranged for Strings in January 2024 in Bailey, Colorado
 
***YES, THIS PIECE IS FREE***
This is not a mistake! The songs used in Waiata I Te Kainga are Maori folk songs - all I did was set them for instrumental ensemble.
 
W H A T   T H I S   I N C L U D E S
PDFs of the score and parts (letter sized - 8.5"x11")
Reference recording
Cover art
 
Physical score sold separately. No refunds for digital products.
 
C O M P O S E R ‘ S   N O T E S
Waiata i Te Kāinga (Songs From Home) is a collection of three Māori folk songs: Haere e hine (action song), Hine e Hine (lullaby), and E Papa Waiari (stick game). Being originally from New Zealand, I grew up listening to the music of the Māori, watching the haka on the tele (and once in real life—I was so terrified!), and trying to learn their language. I have picked three of my very favourite Māori folk songs to arrange, and hope they bring you as much joy as they have brought me and countless others.
 
For performing E Papa Waiari (third movement), it might be a nice touch to have the percussionists doing the “stick game” to the front of the performing area so the audience can see. Rhythm sticks or drum stick may be used for this movement.
 
While preparing this piece, this is a great opportunity to educate yourself and your students of the Māori, their language, their history, their culture and customs, and their lives now. There are plenty of resources created and curated by Māori people online that are a simple Google search away. One example of something to share is the tradition of haka - a warrior’s display to show strength, among other things. There are many different kinds of haka and plenty of video archives available online, including videos of the national New Zealand rugby team performing one before every game. The most common (and probably easiest to learn) is the “Ka Mate” haka.
 
Above all else, please be respectful to the original culture. This piece is intended to share and educate, not to perpetuate harmful stereotypes and misconceptions about the Māori and about Polynesian cultures in general.
 
I N S T R U M E N T A T I O N
Violin I
Violin II
Violin III / TC Viola
Viola
Violoncello
Double Bass
Piano