A Joyful Madrigal: SSA, a cappella Choral Octavo
Music by Donald Moore
Item: 00-PO-0004254
$2.25
Minimum order quantity: 20 copies
Pickup currently not available
Description
Here's a new work by Donald Moore in madrigal style that's appropriate for general or Christmas use. Dynamic changes create interest; repetition makes for quick learning. Perfect when you need just one more piece for your Christmas or Spring concert. Lots of optional notes in the boys' part of the mixed voice edition. An outstanding learning piece for young and developing choirs.
A Joyful Madrigal: SSA, a cappella Choral Octavo isn't in MakeMusic Cloud just yet...but it could be. Let us know you'd like to see it, and you'll help shape what comes next. In the meantime, start a free trial and dive into thousands of interactive titles your students can play along with today.
Request This Title
Tell us you want it.
Start Your Free Trial
Explore everything that's ready to play right now.
Sample Audio
1
Audio File
--:--
0:00
0:00
Sample Video
No sample videos found.
Additional Details
Series:
Alfred Archive Edition: Alfred Choral Designs
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
12
SKU:
00-PO-0004254
More about this title
About the Composer: Donald Moore
Donald Moore earned his Bachelor of Music in organ performance and Master of Arts in Teaching from Kent State University. He serves as Organist-Choirmaster at Pilgrim United Church of Christ in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, and has established himself as a prolific composer and arranger with more than 500 published works spanning sacred, secular, educational, and pop choral literature, along with organ, piano, and instructional texts. His catalog is distributed through Alfred Music Publishing, Hal Leonard, Heritage Music Press, and numerous other major publishers.
Moore's compositions appear regularly in state contests and festivals and have been featured at state, regional, national, and international music conventions. He is a seventeen-time recipient of the ASCAP Composers Standard Award and was recognized by the American Choral Directors Association Choral Journal as one of 400 significant composers in the history of American choral music.
Why we love this
Moore's madrigal captures the appeal of the form without demanding extensive rehearsal time. The dynamic shifts and strategic repetition let young choirs find their balance quickly, which means you can polish the piece to performance quality in just a few rehearsals rather than weeks.
What to expect
Light and playful, with the conversational charm of a madrigal that lets singers enjoy text and harmony without wrestling with complex rhythmic demands. The dynamic shifts keep the piece animated and prevent it from settling into a single mood, giving it genuine musical personality for both performers and audience.
Who it's for
This piece works for developing and young SSA choirs, or as an accessible choice for mixed ensembles with strong upper voice sections. It's equally at home in a concert setting or festival competition, and its secular madrigal style opens programming possibilities beyond holiday seasons.
How to get the most out of it
- Shape the phrase endings with a slight ritardando to let the layered text painting land clearly for listeners.
- Balance the SSA lines by ear during early rehearsals; Moore's writing distributes melody across all three parts, so avoid letting any single voice dominate.
- Take advantage of the optional notes written into parts (particularly in the mixed edition) to match your singers' capabilities without transposing or rearranging.
How to use it
Slot this into a winter concert when you need a flexible filler that reads as complete and polished despite minimal rehearsal investment. Its madrigal idiom sits comfortably alongside both sacred Christmas works and secular spring repertoire, making it a genuinely multipurpose addition to your season.
Skills your students will build
- balancing three independent vocal lines in a cappella texture
- responding to dynamic contrast to shape musical interpretation
- executing clean unison entries across multiple parts
- understanding madrigal conventions and text painting in secular choral music