PHILLIP WILCHER : DO YOU BELIEVE IN UNICORNS? - a review by Henry Howell               
At first sight, the title, and indeed the poem itself, written by Fay Elizabeth Boyd, suggests that it is one for the kids to sing at a morning session of an eisteddfod. However, playing it and singing it through will persuade performers that here, in fact, is a work of greater maturity than it first seems, and more appropriate for girls of say thirteen of fourteen years of age. My own thirteen-year-old daughter, who actually does believe in unicorns, will be studying this piece with me and will, I assure the reader, enjoy herself immensely.

Set strophically, the words are printed both in the front of the score and at the back, making study much easier.

Without being condescending either to the poet or to Mr. Wilcher, this is a pretty song, which young ladies will enjoy. The vocal line lies well within the range of the medium or adolescent voice, and is not at all technically difficult, although many young sopranos do have problems with middle C and below, which is why I recommend it for the medium voice. The piano part is most attractive, featuring a conversation between the left and right hands, and while not really technically difficult, is tricky enough rhythmically to make the pianist's part interesting. Songs suitable for training the changing voice (and girls' voices do change, as much as boys') are not always easy to find, so here is one I am happy to recommend, is by an Australian composer of talent, and will not break the bank. What more can I say?


Henry Howell
Review source: Music Teacher magazine Vol. 11 No. 1
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