The Singing River of Pascagoula Mississippi by Jerry M. Siano

for Chamber Ensemble. Performed at "An Evening of New Music and Sound" by Luke Schwartz and Jerry M. Siano on April 23rd, 2011. This piece is based on the legend of the Pascagoula Indian Tribe and the naming of the Singing (Pascagoula) River. To summarize the legend, the Chief of the Pascagoula tribe met and fell in love with the princess of the Biloxi tribe. This did not sit well with the Chief of the Biloxi who soon declared war on the Pascagoula tribe. The Pascagoula were very loyal to their Chief and would follow his direction no matter what. Their Chief didn't want them to live a life of slavery and war with the Biloxi, so he and his tribe sacrificed themselves by walking (women and children first) into the Pascagoula River while singing their Death Hymn. The legend that exists today is that you can hear the river singing while on or near it.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Music
• Chamber Ensemble
• Native American
• classical instruments
• ensemble
• wind instrument
• cello
• instrumental