Cirandas Brasileiras

One of the most famous Brazilian genres, the Ciranda combines music and dance believed to have originated in the Northeastern states of Paraiba and Pernambuco, where women sang and danced in a display of empowerment and strength while waiting for the men to return from their daily fishing. The Ciranda is also characterized by the participants forming a large circle and dancing to the sound of slow, 4/4 rhythmic patterns marked by strong downbeats and accompanied by percussion instruments. This SATB arrangement combines three popular Brazilian Cirandas: Mandei Fazer uma Casa de Farinha, Achei Bom Bonito, and Quando a Morena Brinca na Beira do Mar for an SATB choir, piano, and percussion.