Arranged for the Flagstaff High School Concert Strings

The Popular Shaker Song “Simple Gifts,” composed by Elder Joseph Brackett Jr. (1797-1838), originated in 1848 and was only known among the Shaker communities until 1930. Creating music was as common among the Shaker communities, with over ten thousand texts and tunes written since the 1780s. Both Aaron Copland and John Williams have arranged “Simple Gifts” many times, as it continues to be used for many different occasions.

​During the nineteenth century, “Simple Gifts” had many different names, “Dancing Song,” “Quick Dance,” and “Tis the gift to be simple.” When arranging this, it was interesting that this piece had many different names, all while staying the same piece of music. Throughout this arrangement, there are lyrical sections as well as dance sections showcasing that a simplistic melody can be used to create many different styles of music, all while staying the same piece of music.

• Violin I, II

• Viola

• Cello

• Bass