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Bright Is the Ring of Words: SSA Choral Octavo

$1.60 USD
$1.60 USD
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Bright Is the Ring of Words Cover Image
Bright Is the Ring of Words: SSA Choral Octavo

Bright Is the Ring of Words: SSA Choral Octavo

Text by Robert Louis Stevenson, music by Douglas E. Wagner

Level: Moderate

Item: 00-OCTM03002
$1.60
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Description
The power of text is captured in the haunting words of Robert Louis Stevenson set in this lovely melodic original by Douglas Wagner. An easily performable concert work that will be a welcome addition to any program.

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Additional Details
Series: Belwin Festival Series
Publisher: Alfred Music
UPC: 654979054061
SKU: 00-OCTM03002

More about this title

About the Composer: Douglas E. Wagner

Douglas E. Wagner

Douglas E. Wagner brought his deep understanding of choral writing to composition after three decades teaching and leading music programs in high schools. A Butler University graduate with degrees in both undergraduate and graduate music study, Wagner built his reputation on works that serve the everyday needs of student and church musicians without sacrificing musical substance.

Since 1973, Wagner has published over 3,500 compositions across virtually every ensemble type: choirs, bands, orchestras, handbells, organ, piano, and vocal soloists. His prolific output and accessibility have made his music a staple in concert halls, schools, and churches internationally, with performances broadcast on radio and television throughout the United States and beyond. He lives in Indianapolis with his wife, Sandy.

Why we love this

Wagner's gift for craft shines here: the melody unfolds naturally across the voices, giving each line room to sing while maintaining the integrity of Stevenson's evocative words. The moderate difficulty makes this genuinely approachable for developing choirs without feeling simplified, and the poetic text gives your singers something worth investing in emotionally.

What to expect

Haunting and reflective, this setting honors the contemplative quality of Stevenson's verse while giving voices something lyrical to hold onto. The melodic writing feels inevitable and singable, never awkward, allowing the ensemble to focus on the emotional content rather than technical survival.

Who it's for

Intermediate to advanced middle school choirs and developing high school groups looking for repertoire that meets them at a realistic skill level without patronizing them musically. This piece serves singers who are ready for three-part writing with real harmonic color and teachers seeking concert material built on texts of genuine literary worth.

How to get the most out of it

  • Balance the text so the poetry remains clear; resist the urge to oversing Stevenson's language, which carries weight in its restraint.
  • Work the melodic shape first before layering in harmonic blend; understanding where the tune lives helps singers support each other's lines.
  • Let the literary quality of the words inform phrasing rather than treating phrase marks as absolute endpoints; Stevenson's text often wants to breathe across barlines.

How to use it

Program this as a moment of introspection in a concert that might otherwise veer toward lighter fare; its moderate length and character make it an effective anchor for a thematic set exploring literature in music. The accessibility and literary appeal also make it suitable for choral festivals and adjudicated performances.

Skills your students will build

  • Three-part SSA voice independence and blend
  • Singing from literary text with expressive intention
  • Maintaining line integrity across harmonic progressions
  • Dynamic shaping of longer phrases in moderate tempo

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