Beginner's Alphabet: Choral Instrumental Pak
By Stephen Hatfield
Item: 35-PK00251854
$30.00
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Description
Here is a playful and creative treatment of the alphabet centered around the theme of children and hope. Filled with slides and scoops, a conventional tone of delivery, and a steady rhythmic drive, audiences will enjoy every minute of the performance. May be performed with voices and piano only or with rhythm section and optional string quartet. Duration: ca. 3:10.
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Additional Details
Publisher:
Hal Leonard
SKU:
35-PK00251854
More about this title
About the Composer: Stephen Hatfield
Stephen Hatfield brings a gift for accessible, engaging choral writing that connects with audiences across age groups. His work balances musical substance with the practical realities of group singing, creating pieces that challenge singers without overwhelming them.
Why we love this
Hatfield's arrangement transforms a simple concept into something performers actually want to sing. The mix of slides, scoops, and rhythmic momentum keeps the energy fresh throughout, while the flexibility in instrumentation means you can scale the piece to match whatever resources you have available on any given concert.
What to expect
Bright, propulsive, and full of character. The scoops and slides give it a conversational warmth that invites the audience in, while the steady rhythm underneath creates momentum that carries you through from start to finish. It feels like a celebration of something fundamental and joyful.
Who it's for
This works beautifully for middle school and high school choirs seeking contemporary material with genuine appeal. It's equally suited for community choruses, children's choirs with older singers, or any group wanting an uplifting concert opener that doesn't require extensive rehearsal time to sound polished.
How to get the most out of it
- Emphasize the rhythmic drive as your foundation; a steady pulse across the ensemble will make those slides and scoops land with conviction rather than feeling loose.
- If adding strings, balance them carefully so they enhance the playfulness rather than overshadow the choral line.
- Shape the dynamic arc across the full three minutes so the piece builds naturally; resist flattening the energy in the middle section.
- Commit fully to the character choices in phrasing. This piece thrives when singers lean into the joy of the concept.
How to use it
Open a concert with this piece to establish an optimistic tone, or use it as a palate cleanser between weightier choral works. Its three-minute length makes it an ideal companion to longer pieces on a mixed program, and the theme of hope makes it particularly effective for community events, school assemblies, or concerts centered on positive messaging.
Skills your students will build
- Controlled use of extended vocal techniques (slides and scoops) within a rhythmic context
- Maintaining rhythmic precision while executing stylistic embellishments
- Balancing vocal tone across a driving harmonic progression
- Ensemble blend when adding optional rhythm section and strings
- Interpretation of character and text painting through contemporary choral writing