Papa Loko by Stan Kallman arr. Ethan Sperry Nashville Community High School Mixed Choir

The Republic of Haiti was created in 1804 by slaves who revolted against France, believing the message of the French Revolution, that all men are free and equal brothers, was as true for the black man as it was for the white man. Modern Haitians are descended from generations of intermarriage between a variety of West African nations, with some influence from the French and the Taino Indians. Similarly Haitian cultural life is a rich mix of these influences. The Vodou religion has become an effective synthesis of Christianity and West African beliefs. Vodou is practiced mainly by poorer, rural Haitians as a way of creating a collective community between the extended family and the nature spirits that they believe respond to singing and dancing. These Haitians are also Christians who believe in one God; the vodou spirits appear and are pictured in similar ways to Catholic Saints and are used as symbols representing the various aspects and emotions of man. Vodou spirits are worshiped through singing, dancing and drumming. I have watched as the music at these gatherings creates a sense of warmth and security in a community that helps people become completely free to express themselves, revealing the true dignity of the human spirit. It is this sense of freedom, community and expression of human emotion that we all seek through group singing and music whenever or wherever we live. Papa Loko is an old and respected Vodou spirit, originally worshiped by the Taino tribe, who were the natives of Haiti before the French arrived with their African slaves. He is the healing power connected to trees and leaves and is the father of all priests, male and female. He keeps the rituals and knowledge of the ancients alive. I have based this choral arrangement on a version of this song I heard performed by the great Haitian vocalist and actress, Toto Bissainthe, who was known for her powerful singing, raspy voice, and total commitment to self-expression.
Sten Kallman
Soloists: Alexandria Kubiak, Mackenzie Wells, Jamilyn Martin, Patience Kitowski, Sarah Doerr, Delaney Jablonski