Rounds Resounding Day

A Celebration of Singing in Harmony

August 1, Rounds Resounding Day singing rounds, or part-songs, are a unique form of vocal music in which different voices take up various elements of the melody. They have a long history, with the oldest published English part-songs dating back to the 17th century. Today, rounds are still popular and are often sung around the campfire by Scouts and Guides. In addition, Cappella groups and barbershop quartets have put a modern spin on singing in the round.

To celebrate this beloved vocal tradition, Rounds Resounding Day was founded in 1987 with the aim of promoting singing in harmony. This annual event provides an opportunity to come together with friends and family and enjoy the joy of singing rounds.

Benefits of Singing Rounds:

Singing rounds have numerous benefits, both for individuals and for groups. Some of the benefits include:

Improving vocal skills: Singing rounds requires coordination and teamwork, as each person must listen to and match the pitch and timing of the other singers. This can help to improve vocal control and flexibility.

Building teamwork and coordination: Rounds require singers to work together and support one another, which can help to build teamwork and coordination skills.

Promoting socialization and community building: Singing rounds is a social activity that brings people together and fosters a sense of community.

Popular Examples of Rounds:

Some of the most well-known rounds include the English nursery rhymes “Three Blind Mice” and “Row, Row, Row Your Boat,” as well as the Australian song “Kookaburra.” These catchy tunes are easy to learn and are often sung by people of all ages.

A cappella groups and barbershop quartets have also popularized rounds in recent times. These vocal ensembles perform intricate harmonies and tight vocal arrangements of both traditional and contemporary songs.

Types of Rounds:

There are many different types of rounds, ranging from simple two-part rounds to more complex arrangements. Some examples of different types of rounds include:

Two-part rounds: These are the most basic type of round, and involve two voices singing the same melody at different times. Examples include “Row, Row, Row Your Boat” and “Frère Jacques.”

Three-part rounds: These rounds involve three voices singing the same melody at different times. Examples include “London Bridge Is Falling Down” and “This Old Man.”

Four-part rounds: These rounds involve four voices singing the same melody at different times. Examples include “Kookaburra” and “Three Blind Mice.”

More complex rounds: There are also many rounds that involve more complex arrangements and harmonies. These can be more challenging to learn but can be very rewarding to sing.

How to Celebrate Rounds Resounding Day:

One of the best ways to celebrate Rounds Resounding Day is to gather a group of friends or family members and sing a variety of rounds together. This can include both old favorites and new discoveries. Here are a few tips to help you get started:

Practice singing in harmony. While rounds are typically easy to learn, it can take some practice to get the hang of singing in harmony with others. Consider finding a round with a simple melody and working on singing it in rounds with a small group.

Find new rounds to sing. There are many resources available for finding new rounds to sing. Some suggestions include searching online for “rounds for singing,” looking for a song.

Incorporating rounds into other activities: Rounds can be a fun and effective way to warm up for choir rehearsals or music education classes. They can also be a great activity for group bonding or team building.

Cultural traditions: Rounds have played a role in many different cultural traditions around the world. In some cultures, rounds are used as a form of spiritual expression or social commentary. In other cultures, rounds are used as a means of passing on cultural traditions and history.

Conclusion:

Rounds Resounding Day is a great opportunity to celebrate the art of singing rounds and the joy of singing in harmony. Gather some friends or family and spend the day singing a variety of rounds – both old favorites and new discoveries. Whether you are a seasoned pro or new to singing rounds, this annual event is a fun and rewarding way to come together and make music.