Calico Cat: 2-Part Choral Octavo

Name: Calico Cat: 2-Part Choral Octavo
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 00-47653
Price: 2.05 USD
Availability: InStock

Words and music by Andy Beck

Item: 00-47653

Need it now?

Buy Digital Version

$2.05

Shipped

One moment…

"Black as the midnight, and white as the snow; gold as the sunshine, my cat of calico." A bouncy and buoyant melody is supported by a folk-song-style piano accompaniment and some easy-to-sing harmonic patterns in this truly charming 2-part original by Andy Beck. Singers won't be able to get enough of the tongue-twisting patter text as they tell the tale of the whimsically colorful cat. Directors can take special pride in teaching the optional cue notes and accented descant that adds a fluffy coat near the end. This title is available in MakeMusic Cloud.

Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Calico Cat: 2-Part Choral Octavo comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.

Open in the Player

Jump straight in and assign it today.

Start Your Free Trial

Open this title and explore the full library in minutes.

Series: Alfred Choral Designs

Publisher: Alfred Music

Page Count: 12

UPC: 038081543468

SKU: 00-47653

More about this title

About the Composer: Andy Beck

Andy Beck directs choral publications at Alfred Music and has composed and arranged more than 450 works for choirs, vocal ensembles, and young singers. His catalog includes widely performed choral pieces, children's musicals, and foundational sight-singing resources like Sing at First Sight and Vocalize! 45 Vocal Warm-Ups That Teach Technique. A trained tenor with degrees from Ithaca College and Northwest Missouri State University, Beck regularly appears as a guest conductor, clinician, and adjudicator at honor choirs and all-state festivals across the country.

Beyond composition, Beck's work as a musical theatre director, member of the North Carolina Master Chorale Chamber Choir, and longtime studio singer for Alfred Music demonstrates his commitment to choral artistry at every level. His dual focus on accessibility and musical substance shapes the catalog he oversees, ensuring that singers at all stages encounter repertoire that builds skills while bringing genuine joy to performance.

Show moreShow less

Why we love this

Beck writes music that feels effortless to teach because the text does half the work for you. The patter passages engage singers immediately, and the optional descant at the end gives you a natural moment to celebrate singers who are ready for added responsibility without creating stress for those who aren't. This is the kind of piece that keeps students talking about choir for weeks.

What to expect

Buoyant and playful, with a folk-tune warmth that feels both timeless and contemporary. The text creates a tongue-in-cheek brightness as singers paint a picture of their whimsical calico character, while the harmonic patterns stay accessible enough that singers focus on the joy of the story rather than struggling with parts.

Who it's for

This octavo works beautifully for upper elementary through middle school choirs, though high school and adult ensembles looking for crowd-pleasing concert or festival material will find it equally engaging. Directors who want a secular piece with genuine personality, free from cliché, will appreciate Beck's fresh approach to storytelling through song.

How to get the most out of it

Attack the patter text together as an ensemble before layering any harmonic work. Lock the syllabic clarity and rhythmic precision first, then build the two-part voicing on that foundation.
Shape the folk-song-style accompaniment so it frames rather than dominates. The piano should feel warm and supportive, creating space for the singers' tone to shine through.
Layer in the optional descant only after both parts sing confidently with independence. Use rehearsals to coach your descant singers on blending as an accent rather than a solo line.
Record a rough rehearsal run early and play it back during a listening session. Singers often catch their own rhythmic slips and intonation dips more readily when they hear themselves as an ensemble.

How to use it

Program this as a lighter moment in a concert lineup where it can breathe and showcase your singers' ability to blend ensemble color with clarity and personality. It pairs well in a thematic concert exploring animal folklore or humor in music, and its modest demands make it an excellent choice for a festival showcase where you want a polished, confident performance without overextending rehearsal time.