Emily Crocker spent 15 years teaching music in Texas public schools before moving into publishing, where she shaped choral education as VP of Choral Publications at Hal Leonard for 17 years. Her influence extends beyond the page: she founded and directed the Milwaukee Children's Choir for 15 years and later established the Vocal Arts Academy of Milwaukee, leaving a legacy of institutional excellence in choral training.
As a composer and arranger, Crocker has built a reputation for creating singable, pedagogically sound choral music performed in schools and concert halls worldwide. Now based in Fort Worth, she continues composing and advocating for the arts community.
Why we love this
Crocker draws on her decades directing young singers to create arrangements that actually work in rehearsal. This collection respects the range and stamina of SSA ensembles while delivering the musical satisfaction your singers crave, not the thin, compromised sound often associated with limited voicings.
What to expect
Straightforward and honest. These arrangements sit comfortably in the voice while giving singers genuine ensemble challenges: parts that require listening, independence within the blend, and the satisfying resonance only a cappella singing delivers.
Who it's for
SSA choirs at the intermediate to early advanced level seeking accessible, well-crafted repertoire that doesn't sacrifice musicality. Directors building a concert program or looking for material that develops singers' ears and ensemble skills without excessive technical demands.
How to get the most out of it
Balance the inner voices by encouraging singers not to push from their throats; SSA voicings need clarity and space to prevent muddiness.
Establish clean vowel unification in unison passages before moving into divisi sections; it's the foundation for tight blend across the range.
Record a section rehearsal with just one voice per part and listen back together to catch intonation drifts that group singing masks.
Layer in the accompaniment only after parts are secure; a cappella work first builds confidence and accuracy.
How to use it
Ideal for mixed concert programming where you need strong material that requires minimal accompanying resources. Insert an arrangement here to give your ensemble a focused a cappella segment that showcases blend and musicianship, or distribute selections across a season to build sight-reading skills and ensemble maturity.
Skills your students will build
Listening to and balancing individual voice parts within a harmonic texture
Sustaining pitch and intonation without instrumental support
Shaping phrases through breath placement and dynamic control in a cappella settings
Reading and executing independent lines in SSA voicings
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