Ballad of the Tempest: 2-Part/SSA Choral Octavo
Words by James T. Fields, music by Ruth Morris Gray
Item: 00-PO-0000017
$1.85
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Description
The captivating words of James T. Fields are set to dramatic music evocative of a tumultuous sea and symbolizing the constant struggle of man versus nature. An exciting musical story that your choir will love to tell. Effective in all voicings.
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Additional Details
Series:
Alfred Choral Designs
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
16
SKU:
00-PO-0000017
More about this title
About the Composer: Ruth Morris Gray
Ruth Morris Gray holds the position of Director of Choirs at Rosemead High School in California, where she has shaped the choral program since 2004. She also teaches piano at the school and has composed over 100 pieces for choral ensembles. Her musical training spans performance and composition, with degrees from Biola University, UC Santa Barbara, and California State University, Northridge.
Beyond the classroom and rehearsal hall, Gray remains an active musician and educator whose work reflects years of direct experience with student singers at all levels. Her prolific output for choral groups demonstrates a deep understanding of what works in school and community settings.
Why we love this
Gray captures the narrative drama of Fields' text without overcomplicating the musical fabric. The piece works beautifully in either 2-Part or SSA voicing, making it genuinely flexible for mixed-ability choirs rather than forcing an awkward compromise. Directors praise how the music mirrors the text's emotional arc, giving singers a real story to inhabit rather than abstract harmonies to execute.
What to expect
The music evokes wind-tossed waves and human resilience in the face of elemental force. Gray's setting conjures dramatic tension through harmonic color and rhythmic vitality, creating an immersive soundscape that transports singers and listeners into the tempest described by Fields.
Who it's for
This piece suits middle school and high school choirs of intermediate ability, particularly ensembles that mix grade levels or voice parts. It also works well for community choirs seeking narrative-driven secular music that doesn't require advanced technical skills.
How to get the most out of it
- Shape the phrase lengths to mirror the tumultuous imagery. Where the text describes storm and struggle, lean into rhythmic momentum and dynamic contrast rather than singing every section at the same intensity.
- Balance clarity of text with musicality. The narrative matters here, so articulation and diction choices should serve the storytelling.
- Attend to voice leading in the SSA voicing to ensure the alto line sits comfortably and doesn't feel like an afterthought to the soprano melody.
How to use it
Program this as a concert centerpiece paired with other nature-themed or narrative-driven pieces. The dramatic character makes it a natural fit for a concert exploring humanity's relationship with the natural world, or for a program that moves between intimate ballads and larger ensemble works.
Skills your students will build
- Expressive phrasing that connects music to text imagery
- Part independence in the SSA voicing, particularly for altos
- Dynamic control and contrast to reflect dramatic narrative shifts
- Rhythmic precision while maintaining musical flow