Tango in 5 is a distortion of the Latin American tango, with an occasional five-beat bar and vocal percussion effects.

Scat syllables form the basis of the text in the first and last sections. The middle section features new words – a combination of Italian, Spanish and French.

The tango is a sensual and evocative dance, and the piece itself provides some moments for dramatization, especially as the main melody begins with a portamento octave. The composition was inspired by a night of dancing, in Finland, with a few of my choral music colleagues and two broken ribs!

Sandra Milliken is a renowned Australian composer, conductor and educator. For upper voice Choir SSAA. Vocal Score.