Beyond: SSA Choral Octavo
Words by John Parker, music by Vicki Tucker Courtney
Item: 00-PO-0005936
$2.05
Minimum order quantity: 20 copies
Pickup currently not available
Description
Expressive choral writing anchors this poetic text that describes the bonds of attachment between people who care for one another. The optional opening solo offers an opportunity to feature a standout singer, but the highlight of the piece comes when the entire choir delivers a sincere message of enduring love in resonant three-part harmony.
Beyond: SSA Choral Octavo isn't in MakeMusic Cloud just yet...but it could be. Let us know you'd like to see it, and you'll help shape what comes next. In the meantime, start a free trial and dive into thousands of interactive titles your students can play along with today.
Request This Title
Tell us you want it.
Start Your Free Trial
Explore everything that's ready to play right now.
Sample Audio
1
Audio File
--:--
0:00
0:00
Sample Video
Additional Details
Series:
Alfred Choral Designs
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
8
SKU:
00-PO-0005936
More about this title
About the Composer: Vicki Tucker Courtney
Vicki Tucker Courtney began piano study at age four and went on to develop deep expertise in choral writing through her work as an accompanist at North Texas State University. Her career has encompassed composition and arrangement across multiple mediums: choral music, piano, handbells, and solo voice. She has received numerous ASCAP Plus Awards throughout her publishing career.
Courtney reached the milestone of 100 published titles in 2009 and surpassed 350 titles by 2017, establishing herself as a prolific voice in choral and instrumental music. She studied under the mentorship of Dove Award winner Mark Hayes and continues to work full time as a composer while maintaining a private teaching studio in Columbia, Tennessee, where she teaches piano and composition to students across all levels.
Why we love this
Courtney writes with genuine emotional clarity. The arc from optional solo to full three-part harmony lets you build the moment gradually, giving singers time to settle into the text before the full resonance arrives. This is the kind of piece that sounds far more sophisticated than its technical demands suggest, making it rewarding for SSA ensembles at any experience level.
What to expect
The piece radiates warmth and sincerity. The optional solo floats above a foundation of caring harmony, and when the full choir enters, the sound deepens into something genuinely moving. This is music that sits comfortably in the singers' voices and communicates directly to listeners.
Who it's for
This octavo works for SSA choirs looking for concert or festival repertoire with genuine emotional weight. Whether your ensemble includes experienced singers or younger voices, Courtney's expressive writing and clear harmonic language make it accessible without sacrificing sophistication.
How to get the most out of it
- Shape the optional opening solo with careful dynamic control. A soloist who can sustain the lyrical quality sets the emotional foundation for the ensemble entrance that follows.
- Balance the three-part harmony by listening for blend in the middle part. It's easy for the second soprano line to disappear if singers aren't thinking about collective resonance rather than individual lines.
- Let the text inform your phrasing. The words describe attachment and enduring love, so avoid brisk tempos that undercut the sincerity Courtney has embedded in the harmony.
- Rehearse the transition from solo to full choir deliberately. Mark the exact moment ensemble voices enter and practice the dynamic shift so it feels intentional rather than abrupt.
How to use it
Program this as a moment of intimate connection in a concert. Its poetic text and expressive character make it ideal for thematic programming around human connection or relationships. It also holds up well in festival competition, where the clarity of Courtney's writing and the authenticity of the piece tend to resonate with adjudicators.
Skills your students will build
- Singing in three-part harmony with careful attention to blend and balance
- Sustaining lyrical phrasing through longer melodic lines
- Connecting emotional expression to musical choices (tempo, dynamics, articulation)
- Transitioning between solo and ensemble contexts within a single piece