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Bright Star Shining!: SATB Choral Octavo

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Bright Star Shining! Cover Image
Bright Star Shining!: SATB Choral Octavo

Bright Star Shining!: SATB Choral Octavo

Music by Greg Gilpin

Item: 00-22929

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Description
Here is an irresistible gospel style Christmas number from Greg Gilpin that your students will want to sing again and again. And with infectious syncopated rhythms, resonant gospel chords, and spirited handclaps added on the final a cappella refrain, it's sure to be a hit with your audience as well. Feature a low voice soloist on the catchy first verse, and high voice descant singers at the big finish. Effective with the piano or with the optional highly energized SoundTrax CD.

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Additional Details
Series: Alfred Choral Designs
Publisher: Alfred Music
Page Count: 12
UPC: 038081221120
SKU: 00-22929

More about this title

About the Composer: Greg Gilpin

Greg Gilpin

Greg Gilpin has established himself as one of the most performed choral composers in the country, conducting ensembles at venues ranging from Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center in New York to Ryman Auditorium in Nashville and stages across Australia, England, and Iceland. His work as Director of Educational Choral Publications for Shawnee Press has given him deep insight into what makes music meaningful for student singers and audiences alike.

Beyond the concert hall, Gilpin has become a multi-disciplinary creator and entrepreneur. He scored the award-winning short film "Rosie's Rescue" and collaborated with opera singer Angela Brown on a contemporary arrangement of "What Child is This?" premiered by the Indianapolis Symphonic Choir. An ASCAP award winner and active member of ACDA, NAfME, and SAG-AFTRA, Gilpin continues to compose, conduct, and teach while expanding his creative reach into other professional endeavors.

Why we love this

Gilpin captures everything that makes gospel style so infectious for young singers: syncopated rhythms that feel natural to perform, sophisticated harmonic color that sounds impressive without requiring advanced voice part independence, and built-in moments for soloists to shine. The a cappella refrain with handclaps transforms the final section from something sung at a choir into something performed by the whole ensemble, and that shift in energy consistently gets audiences on their feet.

What to expect

Bright and celebratory, with a groove that locks in the moment the ensemble hits the first gospel chord. The energy builds steadily from the relaxed verse into the spirited refrain, culminating in a final moment of pure joy punctuated by handclaps and a cappella simplicity.

Who it's for

Choirs with solid voice part blend and the ability to sustain gospel style delivery through to the end. The solo opportunities make it ideal for ensembles that include at least one confident low voice soloist and a few high voice singers ready to balance a descant.

How to get the most out of it

  • Secure the gospel chords by having singers lock onto the harmonic motion in rehearsal before adding the syncopated rhythms; this keeps the harmonic color rich even when the rhythm section lifts.
  • Cast your low voice soloist on the opening verse early enough to build confident phrasing; a soloist who owns the melody line sets the tone for the entire piece.
  • Coordinate the handclaps on the final a cappella refrain as an ensemble moment, not an afterthought. Clarity and precision here elevate the finish from cute to commanding.
  • If using the recorded accompaniment, rehearse with it regularly so students respond to the groove rather than fighting against it; familiarity builds the confidence needed for authentic gospel delivery.

How to use it

Program this as a finale to a Christmas concert where you want to shift the emotional temperature from reverent to festive, or pair it alongside more contemplative sacred music to create dynamic range within a holiday set. The gospel idiom also makes it an excellent choice for a winter concert that draws from multiple musical traditions.

Skills your students will build

  • Gospel harmony voicing and four-part chord resolution
  • Syncopated rhythm reading and performance
  • Soloist confidence and front-of-ensemble awareness
  • A cappella blend and intonation without instrumental support
  • Stylistic interpretation of gospel idiom (swing, phrasing, dynamic shape)

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