AASR Song Spotlight: Ducks are Delightful - Dulcie Holland
From the AASR survey, today’s featured song is Ducks are Delightful by Dulcie Holland. It is found in Australian Poems for Solo, Unison or Two Part Singing. This collection is currently out of print, but is widely available in second hand stores.
A much loved studio piece, this song is suitable for younger or developing singers. Its playful character and clear text setting make it immediately engaging, while its straightforward melodic writing allows singers to focus on communication and musicality.
Teachers may value this piece for its accessibility. The range is manageable, the phrasing is intuitive, and the music supports early exploration of storytelling through song.
At the same time, it reflects something important about Australian art song. The repertoire is not only technically sophisticated, but also rich in pieces that nurture developing voices and build confidence in the early stages of training.
As yet the AASR does not represent enough of these songs. The research has shown that teachers struggle to find enough of this content. Flametree has begun to address this issue, creating a live-at-home recording of this particular collection as there were no existing recordings. Others will follow.
We look forward to sharing more repertoire that supports singers at every stage of their journey.
You can listen to Flametree’s recording of Ducks are Delightful on our YouTube Channel.
You’ll find all the links on the song page here.