Werte! - Medium (up to 50 Voices) 2-Part Treble Choir - Rachel Hocking

NB - AU/NZ Delivery by Hardcopy only - Price includes postage

Standard Set includes Conductor Score and 50 Vocal scores for singers 

Werte is an Arrernte word that is a friendly, informal greeting meaning hello, how are you, what’s up. These lyrics were written by Alice-local Stephen Schwer and describe a side of Australia that many city-based students may not experience. The song is set in Mparntwe (Alice Springs), on Arrernte land, near Tjoritja/the West MacDonnell Ranges.

The recurring use of ‘Werte, werte’ adds a strong sense of place and welcome, grounding the song in respect for Country and culture. Local Alice Springs students will proudly recognise the references throughout the text: the vast open sky, the sense of space, the close connection to nature, and the unique features of the landscape. One such ‘oddity’ is the Todd River, often described as ‘the river that flows upside down’. For most of the year it runs beneath the sand, and when dry, it becomes a place where annual regattas are raced on sandbars and gum trees grow directly from the river floor.

Here, water flows only seasonally.

Through references to local nature paired with storytelling and imagination, non-local students  singing this song are invited to experience a different kind of life. Some may connect with the feeling  of wanting to escape the city, while others may be curious about exploring country beyond what they know. Images such as the wedge-tailed eagle choosing open land over urban sprawl highlight ideas of freedom, belonging, and living in harmony with the natural world.

Musically, the piece opens freely, like a small recitative. There are a few performance options in this section, with optional solos on one or both parts, or a combination with choir, depending on personal preferences. This is followed by the main energetic and exciting section, with forward momentum propelled by the piano part. The whispered moments could be to a friend. It encourages clear storytelling, expressive singing, and interaction within the two vocal lines, engaging students with both the music and environment it describes.

The final shout ‘Werte’ welcomes everyone.