What is "part song"

Part \Part\ (p[aum]rt), n. [F. part, L. pars, gen. partis; cf. parere to bring forth, produce. Cf. Parent, Depart, Parcel, Partner, Party, Portion.]

1. One of the portions, equal or unequal, into which anything is divided, or regarded as divided; something less than a whole; a number, quantity, mass, or the like, regarded as going to make up, with others, a larger number, quantity, mass, etc., whether actually separate or not; a piece; a fragment; a fraction; a division; a member; a constituent.

   And kept back part of the price, . . . and brought a certain part and laid it at the apostles'feet.
   --Acts v.

2. Our ideas of extension and number -- do they not contain a secret relation of the parts ? --Locke. I am a part of all that I have met. --Tennyson. 2. Hence, specifically:

   1. An equal constituent portion; one of several or many like quantities, numbers, etc., into which anything is divided, or of which it is composed; proportional division or ingredient.

      An homer is the tenth part of an ephah.
      --Ex. xvi. 36.

      A thought which, quartered, hath but one part wisdom, And ever three parts coward.
      --Shak.

   2. A constituent portion of a living or spiritual whole; a member; an organ; an essential element.

      All the parts were formed . . . into one harmonious body.
      --Locke.

      The pulse, the glow of every part.
      --Keble.

   3. A constituent of character or capacity; quality; faculty; talent; -- usually in the plural with a collective sense. ``Men of considerable parts.''
      --Burke. ``Great quickness of parts.''
      --Macaulay.

      Which maintained so politic a state of evil, that they will not admit any good part to intermingle with them.
      --Shak.

   4. Quarter; region; district; -- usually in the plural. ``The uttermost part of the heaven.''
      --Neh. i. 9.

      All parts resound with tumults, plaints, and fears.
      --Dryden.

   5. (Math.) Such portion of any quantity, as when taken a certain number of times, will exactly make that quantity; as, 3 is a part of 12; -- the opposite of multiple. Also, a line or other element of a geometrical figure.

3. That which belongs to one, or which is assumed by one, or which falls to one, in a division or apportionment; share; portion; lot; interest; concern; duty; office.

   We have no part in David.
   --2 Sam. xx. 1.

   Accuse not Nature! she hath done her part; Do thou but thine.
   --Milton.

   Let me bear My part of danger with an equal share.
   --Dryden.

4. Hence, specifically:

   1. One of the opposing parties or sides in a conflict or a controversy; a faction.

      For he that is not against us is on our part.
      --Mark ix. 40.

      Make whole kingdoms take her brother's part.
      --Waller.

   2. A particular character in a drama or a play; an assumed personification; also, the language, actions, and influence of a character or an actor in a play; or, figuratively, in real life; as, to play the part of Macbeth. See To act a part, under Act.

      That part Was aptly fitted and naturally performed.
      --Shak.

      It was a brute part of him to kill so capital a calf.
      --Shak.

      Honor and shame from no condition rise; Act well your part, there all the honor lies.
      --Pope.

   3. (Mus.) One of the different melodies of a concerted composition, which heard in union compose its harmony; also, the music for each voice or instrument; as, the treble, tenor, or bass part; the violin part, etc.

      For my part, so far as concerns me; for my share.

      For the most part. See under Most, a.

      In good part, as well done; favorably; acceptably; in a friendly manner; as, to take an act in good part.
      --Hooker.

      In ill part, unfavorably; with displeasure.

      In part, in some degree; partly.

      Part and parcel, an essential or constituent portion; -- a reduplicative phrase. Cf. might and main, kith and kin, etc. ``She was . . . part and parcel of the race and place.''
      --Howitt.

      Part of speech (Gram.), a sort or class of words of a particular character; thus, the noun is a part of speech denoting the name of a thing; the verb is a part of speech which asserts something of the subject of a sentence.

      Part owner (Law), one of several owners or tenants in common. See Joint tenant, under Joint.

      Part singing, singing in which two or more of the harmonic parts are taken.

      Part song, a song in two or more (commonly four) distinct vocal parts. ``A part song differs from a madrigal in its exclusion of contrapuntual devices; from a glee, in its being sung by many voices, instead of by one only, to each part.''
      --Stainer & Barrett.

      Syn: Portion; section; division; fraction; fragment; piece; share; constituent. See Portion, and Section.

n. (context music English) A form of unaccompanied, often homophonic, vocal composition usually for a few voices or a small choir

A part song, or part-song or partsong, is a form of choral music that consists of a secular song having been written or arranged for several vocal parts, commonly SATB choir but sometimes for an all-male or all-female ensemble. It is usually primarily homophonic, with the highest part carrying the melody and the other voices supplying the accompanying harmonies, rather than contrapuntal like a madrigal. Part songs are intended to be sung unaccompanied unless an instrumental accompaniment is specified.

The part song in Great Britain grew from, and gradually superseded, the earlier form of the Glee as well as being particularly influenced by the choral works of Felix Mendelssohn. This was linked with the growth of choral societies during the 19th century which were larger groups than glee clubs had been. Early British composers of part songs include John Liptrot Hatton, R. J. S. Stevens, Henry Smart and George Alexander Macfarren, who was renowned for his Shakespeare settings. Around the turn of the 20th century, the heyday of the form, Hubert Parry, Charles Villiers Stanford and Edward Elgar were the principal exponents, often bringing a high minded seriousness to their settings of great English poetry both contemporary and from earlier epochs. More recent major contributors to the genre include Ralph Vaughan Williams, Granville Bantock, Arnold Bax, Peter Warlock, Gustav Holst and Benjamin Britten. The development of the part song has been marked by increasing complexity of form and contrapuntal content.

Composers have also successfully used the part song medium to make contemporary arrangements of traditional folk song including that of Scotland, England, Wales and Ireland.