Whitest Stockings, Whitest Roses

The second selection from a set of Five Latvian Folk Songs, this song tells of a young woman picking the whitest of garden roses for a wreath. Its rhythmic 2/4 is playful, with off-the-beat accents strewn in and the melody line weaving through the four-part women's arrangement. Featured in the 2001 National ACDA concert, this makes a fine festival or competition selection. Moderately difficult. Available: SSAA a cappella.