Ashokan Farewell Cover Image

Ashokan Farewell: SATB Choral Octavo

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Ashokan Farewell Cover Image
Ashokan Farewell: SATB Choral Octavo

Ashokan Farewell: SATB Choral Octavo

From the Soundtrack of the PBS Series "The Civil War," a Film by Ken Burns

Words by Grian McGregor, music by Jay Ungar / arr. Carole Stephens

Item: 00-SV9831
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Description
Almost everyone recognizes the superb melody of Jay Ungar's 'Ashokan Farewell' that was featured so prominently in Ken Burns' television film 'The Civil War'. Now, finally, a choral setting comes alive with lyrics that skillfully paint a beautiful picture of Americana. This is music that will warm the hearts of choirs and audiences everywhere!

Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Ashokan Farewell: SATB Choral Octavo comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.

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Additional Details
Series: Alfred Archive Edition: Alfred Pop Choral Series
Publisher: Alfred Music
Page Count: 12
UPC: 029156905038
SKU: 00-SV9831

More about this title

About the Composer: Jay Ungar

Jay Ungar is an American composer and fiddler whose work bridges traditional folk music and contemporary composition. His gift for melody is evident in 'Ashokan Farewell,' which became widely known through Ken Burns' landmark 1990 documentary series 'The Civil War' and has since become a standard in American cultural life.

Ungar's approach to songwriting draws from his deep roots in Americana and fiddle tradition. His compositions often carry emotional weight while remaining accessible to performers and listeners alike, making them ideal for educational and community music settings.

Why we love this

Carole Stephens' arrangement captures the haunting beauty of the original melody while giving each voice part meaningful material to sing. The lyrical setting transforms a beloved instrumental tune into a work that connects immediately with audiences, making it ideal for concerts centered on American heritage, patriotic themes, or moving closings that leave choirs and audiences reflective.

What to expect

The arrangement carries a quiet dignity and gentle melancholy reminiscent of twilight and loss. Beneath the familiar, soaring melody lies harmonic warmth that evokes spacious landscapes and historical depth, creating a moment of genuine emotional resonance rather than sentimentality.

Who it's for

This octavo suits intermediate-to-advanced choral ensembles with solid intonation and breath control. Conductors working with high school choirs, community choirs, and collegiate ensembles will find this accessible yet musically rewarding, especially when programming American repertoire or concert themes centered on reflection and remembrance.

How to get the most out of it

  • Honor the simplicity of the melody by keeping diction clean and uniform across all sections; the power lies in the tune's inherent directness, not in rhythmic elaboration.
  • Balance the harmonic support so soprano lines remain clearly audible; the arrangement relies on the tune's recognition, and obscuring it diminishes the emotional impact.
  • Shape phrases with gentle dynamic contours rather than maintaining a flat, constant volume; let the text guide the emotional arc of each musical phrase.
  • If using the recorded accompaniment, rehearse without it first so singers develop secure pitch and rhythm independence before relying on the track.

How to use it

Reserve this for moments when a concert needs to slow down and settle into something reflective. It works beautifully as an encore, the closing number of a patriotic or Americana-themed program, or a standalone selection for memorial services and commemorative events. The 12-page length keeps rehearsal demands manageable while delivering significant impact.

Skills your students will build

  • Singing in multiple harmonic layers while maintaining tune recognition
  • Lyrical text expression and emotional communication through phrasing
  • Blend and balance in SATB voicing with unequal melodic prominence
  • Concert performance etiquette for reflective, dignified repertoire

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