Information by the composer: Ikaro was commissioned by and dedicated to Leanna Simpkins Hamburg and premiered by her at the North American Saxophone Alliance biennial conference on April 2, 2023.

An icaro (Quechua: ikaro) is a medicinal, magical song used by South American indigenous shamans in healing ceremonies, such as those centered around consuming the psychedelic brew ayahuasca. Traditionally, these songs can be performed by whistling, singing with the voice or vocables, or playing an instrument such as the didgeridoo or flute.

Icaros may come to a shaman during a ceremony, be passed down from previous lineages of healers, or come to a shaman during a dieta where plant spirits are believed to teach icaros to the shaman directly. The singing or whistling of icaros is sometimes accompanied by a chakapa, a rattle of bundled leaves. Due to the complexity of certain performance techniques, it may take many years to learn certain icaros, and experienced shamans may be able to recite hundreds of them.

Instrumentation: solo soprano (or tenor) saxophone

Duration: 5’30”

Downloads as 8.5” x 11” PDF. Includes score and detailed performance instructions.