A Merry Madrigal (for Christmas or General Use): 3-Part Mixed/SAB, a cappella Choral Octavo
For Christmas or General Use
Music by Donald Moore
Item: 00-PO-0002156
$2.25
Minimum order quantity: 20 copies
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Description
A "fa la la" section in this joyful number makes it appropriate for both Christmas and general use. It's a fine learning piece in the madrigal style, yet the singable melodies make the independent vocal lines easy to learn. Don Moore is a master at creating works that develop choral singing, teach a classic choral style and, most importantly, sound great. Use it in concerts and at festivals and adjudications. This title is available in MakeMusic Cloud.
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Additional Details
Series:
Alfred Archive Edition: Alfred Choral Designs
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
8
SKU:
00-PO-0002156
More about this title
About the Composer: Donald Moore
Donald Moore earned degrees in organ performance and music education from Kent State University and has built a career as both a performing musician and prolific composer. As Organist-Choirmaster at Pilgrim United Church of Christ in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, he has composed over 500 works across sacred, secular, educational, and popular idioms, published by major houses including Alfred Music, Hal Leonard, and Heritage Music Press. His compositions appear regularly at state and national festivals, and he has received the ASCAP Composers Standard Award seventeen times.
Moore was recognized by the American Choral Directors Association as one of 400 significant American choral composers. His gift lies in writing pieces that teach classical choral techniques while remaining genuinely enjoyable for singers and audiences alike. Beyond music, Moore maintains a competitive midget car racing team that campaigns nationally.
Why we love this
Moore crafts madrigals that teach without feeling pedagogical. The "fa la la" refrain gives singers immediate joy and makes the independent lines feel less daunting on a first read, while the overall structure and voice leading quietly build musicianship. You'll find this works equally well as a holiday concert opener, a warmup showcase at festival, or a teaching moment about Renaissance vocal writing.
What to expect
A cappella singing that feels intimate and playful. The text-painting and homophonic moments balance with short passages where voices weave together, creating a sense of discovery and lightness. The "fa la la" section brings an almost theatrical joy that lifts any room.
Who it's for
Directors building a treble-voiced or mixed-voice choir need accessible madrigals that teach style and technique without overwhelming learners. This octavo works for middle school and high school programs seeking repertoire that performs well at festivals and adjudications while serving as a genuine classroom tool.
How to get the most out of it
- Encourage singers to shape each melodic phrase with gentle dynamic rise and fall rather than singing straight through. Madrigals live in the space between words and music.
- Have voices enter the "fa la la" section with clean articulation and uniformity; this moment should sparkle and snap, giving listeners a clear shift in character.
- Balance the independent lines by having singers listen across to adjacent parts. SAB doesn't require soloists, but it does ask everyone to hear and support their neighbors.
- Keep articulation light and text clear throughout, especially on consonants, so the joyful character comes through without strain.
How to use it
Use this as a holiday concert anchor or an opening number at a choral festival where you want to set a warm, approachable tone. It also works beautifully in a set of secular ensemble pieces, bridging between more substantial madrigal literature and lighter fare.
Skills your students will build
- Independent voice part singing in SAB scoring
- Renaissance madrigal style and text-painting techniques
- A cappella balance and blend across three parts
- Phrase shaping and dynamic control in secular vocal music
- Reading and performing homophonic and polyphonic textures