Angels Singin' Glory!: SSAB, a cappella Choral Octavo
Words and music by Andy Beck
Item: 00-PO-0000334
$1.75
Minimum order quantity: 20 copies
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Description
A lively, a cappella chorus opens and closes this original Christmas spiritual with a sweet rubato chorale in the middle. Composed in a traditional style with a contemporary flair, each section of the choir has a moment to shine, especially the basses/baritones--singing spirited interjections throughout.
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Additional Details
Series:
Alfred Choral Designs
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
8
SKU:
00-PO-0000334
More about this title
About the Composer: Andy Beck
Andy Beck directs choral publications at Alfred Music, where he has shaped the content and quality of the catalog for years. His compositional output exceeds 450 choral works, vocal resources, and children's musicals in print, alongside influential resources like Sing at First Sight, Foundations in Choral Sight Singing, and Vocalize! 45 Vocal Warm-Ups That Teach Technique. His music reaches choirs worldwide, as evidenced by countless YouTube performances.
Beyond the page, Beck serves as a guest conductor, choreographer, adjudicator, and clinician for music educators and ensembles across the United States and internationally. He has been commissioned for honor choirs and all-state groups throughout the Southeast. A trained tenor with a Bachelor's degree in Music Education from Ithaca College and a Master's degree from Northwest Missouri State University, Beck has performed with the North Carolina Master Chorale Chamber Choir and has been an Alfred Music studio singer since 1992. His dual commitment to choral artistry and music literacy shapes every piece he writes.
Why we love this
Beck strikes a rare balance here: the spiritual framework feels authentic and rooted, while the contemporary harmonic touches and rhythmic energy keep it from feeling like a period piece. The bass/baritone writing gives lower voices real agency and personality throughout, which elevates ensemble ownership on both the melodic and supporting lines.
What to expect
The piece radiates joy and celebration. It opens with an infectious, hand-clapping energy before settling into a moment of reflective sweetness, then returns to that spirited opening with renewed vitality. The interjections from the lower voices feel like a choir that's truly enjoying itself singing together.
Who it's for
This octavo suits intermediate to advanced choirs who are comfortable with a cappella blend and have the vocal flexibility to handle both rhythmic energy and lyrical rubato in the same piece. It works equally well for concert choirs, church ensembles, and holiday programs that want spiritual authenticity with contemporary accessibility.
How to get the most out of it
- Shape the outer sections with forward momentum and rhythmic precision; the spirited interjections from the lower voices anchor the groove and should land with clarity rather than blur into the surrounding texture.
- Let the middle chorale breathe. The rubato marking invites singers to listen to one another and find space within the harmony; this is where blend and vowel matching become especially important.
- Balance the SA voices against the lower parts during the opening and closing choruses. The basses and baritones have material worth hearing, so resist the urge to let sopranos dominate.
- Record a full run-through once the piece is secure, then listen as an ensemble. A cappella singing can drift, and hearing yourselves together builds awareness of intonation and blend in ways that rehearsal alone cannot.
How to use it
Place this in the heart of a Christmas concert where you want to shift the energy without losing the holiday reverence. It pairs well with both traditional carols and more contemporary spirituals, and it's short enough to follow or precede a longer choral work without tiring the ensemble.
Skills your students will build
- A cappella intonation and blend across four parts
- Rhythmic precision in spirited, syncopated material
- Expressive control between energetic and rubato sections
- Bass and baritone ensemble presence and independence
- Listening and balance awareness in mixed voicing