Carol of the Drum: SATB, <I>a cappella</I> Choral Octavo

**Carol of the Drum: SATB, a cappella Choral Octavo**

Name: Carol of the Drum: SATB, a cappella Choral Octavo
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 00-PO-0002935
Price: 3.50 USD
Availability: InStock

By Katherine K. Davis

Level: Moderate

Item: 00-PO-0002935

Digital Download

$3.50

Minimum order quantity: 20 copies

Carol of the Drum: SATB, a cappella 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.

No sample audio found.

No sample videos found.

Series: Alfred Archive Edition: Belwin Mills Catalog

Publisher: Alfred Music

Page Count: 16

SKU: 00-PO-0002935

More about this title

About the Composer: Katherine K. Davis

Katherine K. Davis (1892-1980) was an American composer whose gift for melody and accessibility made her work a mainstay of school and church choral programs throughout the 20th century. She composed over 600 works across multiple genres, but her choral music remains her most enduring legacy, performed by thousands of amateur and professional choirs annually.

Davis had a gift for writing music that sounded far more sophisticated than its technical demands suggested. She understood what made hymns and carols singable, memorable, and emotionally resonant without requiring virtuosic technique. Her works have been recorded by major professional ensembles, yet they remain fundamentally accessible to community and school choirs.

Show moreShow less

Why we love this

This arrangement captures the hushed, reverent quality of "Carol of the Drum" without relying on theatrical effects or complex harmonic language. The a cappella setting demands genuine blend and balance from singers, making it an excellent choice for choirs developing ensemble cohesion and stylistic maturity around grade 3 level.

What to expect

Tender and intimate, this arrangement invites singers to listen to one another with genuine attention. The unaccompanied texture creates vulnerability and directness; every voice matters, and silence becomes as important as sound.

Who it's for

This edition serves choirs at the intermediate level who have developed solid intonation and are ready to work without instrumental support. It's ideal for church choirs, school choral programs, and community ensembles seeking a reverent, manageable Christmas offering.

How to get the most out of it

Build the opening unaccompanied sound through careful vowel unification across sections before adding text. Consistent vowel shape is your foundation when there's no instrumental support.
Shape dynamics subtly; this carol works best with restrained interpretation rather than dramatic swells. Think of maintaining stillness in the body while letting the voice carry quiet emotion.
Balance the melody between soprano and alto lines if they double at any point. Check your voicing carefully and mark who carries the tune in each phrase to avoid muddiness.
Rehearse each voice part with rhythmic precision before blending. Without instrumental accompaniment, rhythmic independence matters more than usual.

How to use it

Program this as a moment of reflective contrast in a mixed holiday concert, either between more elaborate pieces or as a closing selection. Its moderate difficulty and sacred character make it particularly effective in church services and school programs seeking spirituality without technical showmanship.