Can You Hear the Angels?: SSA Choral Octavo
Words and music by Greg Gilpin
Item: 00-PO-0003322
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Description
Sing about angels, shepherds, wise men, the star, and "the baby born in Bethlehem" with this spirited original for Christmas. Choirs of any age will sound their best on the gospel harmonies and catchy hook. After a modulating bridge lifts the piece to a higher level, invite your singers (and audience) to add handclaps over the final refrain!
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Additional Details
Series:
Alfred Choral Designs
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
12
SKU:
00-PO-0003322
More about this title
About the Composer: Greg Gilpin
Greg Gilpin has established himself as one of the most performed choral composers in America, with conducting credits spanning Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Ryman Auditorium, and venues across Australia, England, and Iceland. His work as Director of Educational Choral Publications for Shawnee Press and his ASCAP recognition reflect a deep commitment to creating music that works in real rehearsal rooms and performance spaces.
Beyond the concert stage, Gilpin has expanded into film scoring (earning Best Score recognition for the short film "Rosie's Rescue" in 2021) and founded Maestro Organizing, a professional organizing business that has taken him into unexpected media appearances on network television and the series "Hoarders." His involvement with the Indianapolis Symphonic Choir and opera singer Angela Brown on a contemporary arrangement of "What Child is This?" demonstrates his continued engagement with fresh interpretations of beloved music.
Why we love this
Gilpin understands what makes SSA choirs sound confident and joyful, and this piece delivers exactly that. The gospel harmonies sit naturally in these voice parts, the modulating bridge provides genuine lift without becoming a struggle, and the handclap finale transforms the ending into a participatory moment that audiences genuinely love.
What to expect
This is gospel-influenced Christmas storytelling that stays true to the nativity while feeling alive and present. The melody moves with warmth and directness; the harmonies support rather than complicate; and the overall effect is celebratory without veering into sentimentality.
Who it's for
SSA and SSAA choirs at any experience level, from middle school ensembles building confidence in three-part singing to adult choirs wanting a festive, accessible holiday piece. Directors seeking Christmas music that feels contemporary rather than precious will find this arrangement genuinely singable.
How to get the most out of it
- Shape the hook with clarity and bounce. The catchiness only works if the rhythm feels playful rather than rigid; let your singers find the swing naturally.
- Balance the three-part writing so no single voice carries the tune alone. SSA voicing can mask the melody if the soprano part is sung too prominently.
- Rehearse the modulating bridge as a moment of collective arrival rather than a technical hurdle. Once your singers feel how it lifts the energy, the intonation and confidence take care of themselves.
- Coordinate handclaps with your singers during the final section to establish a clear, unified pulse before inviting the audience to join.
How to use it
Place this in the second half of a Christmas concert where your audience is already engaged and ready for something spirited. It pairs well with both traditional carols and contemporary holiday selections, and the handclap invitation makes it a natural closer or anchor for a larger choral set.
Skills your students will build
- Three-part harmony balance in SSA voicing
- Gospel harmonic movement and voice leading
- Rhythmic confidence in syncopated, contemporary melodies
- Modulation through key changes and musical energy shifts
- Ensemble cohesion across a full arrangement with active accompaniment