Background About the Pieces

       “Ku Mai Ka Kali’a” is a Hawaiian mele, from the album Aia I Hi’I Alo. The group that both composed and performed the piece is called Hi’ikua, an ensemble of three Hawaiian musicians: Kalehua Krug, Kamuela Kimokeo, and Blake Leoiki-Haili (1). The name of the ensemble translates to English as “to carry on one’s back”, referring to the group’s accepted responsibility of carrying the history and tradition of their ancestors and sharing this in their music. “Ku Mai Ka Kali’a” was composed by Kalehua Krug, is in Hawaiian language, and is performed by three male vocalists, a slack string guitar, and a ukulele. The topic of the song is the birth of a new child who will continue the tradition of the Hawaiian people (1). Although lyrics are available for this piece, a score is not.

       “Waka” is from the album The Royal Drums of Ghana by Mustapha Tettey Addy and his Obonu Drummers. This Sub-Saharan African piece is a traditional ritualistic piece from a tribe in Ghana. To create this album, Addy traveled around tribes in Ghana to learn their music, and then gained exclusive permission from tribal leaders to perform and record it (2). In this way, “Waka” as performed in this recording is the first and only way that this piece has ever been heard outside of its ritual use. It is performed by a male solo vocalist and male chorus, along with a large assortment of drums and percussion. Addy did not compose this piece; rather, it is his interpretation and performance of the song that he learned from the tribe (2). Tribal music is passed on orally and by example, so there is no written interpretation of this piece, let alone a score.