Greg Gilpin has built a dual reputation as both a prolific choral composer and an accomplished conductor. His works have been performed at premier venues across North America and internationally, from Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center to the Sydney Opera House and Royal Festival Hall. As Director of Educational Choral Publications for Shawnee Press, Gilpin brings deep pedagogical insight to every score he writes.
Beyond the music world, Gilpin has charted an unconventional career path that includes film scoring, professional organizing, and media appearances on major networks. His 2021 film score for "Rosie's Rescue" earned recognition, and his collaborative arrangements with renowned artists continue to expand choral repertoire. An active member of ACDA, NAfME, and a Life Loyal Member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, Gilpin remains committed to advancing choral music in educational and professional settings.
Why we love this
Gilpin crafts a piece that balances accessibility with genuine artistry. The six pages move quickly enough to fit concert calendars without feeling rushed, and the SATB voicing opens the piece to choirs of varying experience levels while maintaining musical substance.
What to expect
A moment of quiet reflection nestled within holiday festivities. The piece invites singers and listeners into an intimate space, tender and contemplative, where the text's gentle imagery unfolds without sentimentality.
Who it's for
Choirs seeking a concert piece that captures the Christmas season without relying on familiar arrangements. Intermediate to advanced ensembles will find the voicing and length manageable for programs built around both sacred and secular holiday music.
How to get the most out of it
Balance the melody between soprano and alto lines; the vulnerability of a lullaby depends on clarity without dominance.
Shape the harmonic progressions with gentle dynamic curves rather than flat dynamics, which helps the text breathe naturally.
Let any divisi moments ring with independence. Separate breath points between sections prevent the piece from sounding mechanical.
How to use it
Position this during a holiday concert's quieter second half, perhaps following a more energetic opening piece. Its length makes it suitable as a standalone offering or paired with one other shorter work to create a thematic holiday vignette.
Skills your students will build
Sustaining soft dynamics while maintaining vocal tone
Singing text expressively within a lyrical melodic framework
Balancing ensemble blend in SATB voicing
Shaping phrases through subtle dynamic inflection
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