Celebrate with Music!: SATB Choral Octavo
Words and music by Greg Gilpin
Item: 00-PO-0001390
$1.80
Minimum order quantity: 20 copies
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Description
This triumphant opener or closer is sure to make an impact with its fanfare-like phrases and percussive handclaps. Subito dynamics and scattered syncopations energize the piece, while legato lines and choral echoes provide musical contrast. Accompaniment available on PianoTrax 4 CD (00-35870).
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Additional Details
Series:
Alfred Choral Designs
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
12
SKU:
00-PO-0001390
More about this title
About the Composer: Greg Gilpin
Greg Gilpin stands among America's most prolific choral composers, earning ASCAP recognition for his contributions to the field. His work has been heard in prestigious venues from Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center to the Sydney Opera House and Royal Festival Hall, and he continues to shape choral music as Director of Educational Choral Publications for Shawnee Press.
Beyond the concert hall, Gilpin has expanded his creative reach into film scoring, producing work recognized for excellence in cinema, and has collaborated with renowned opera artists on innovative arrangements. His involvement with ACDA, NAfME, and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia reflects a lifelong commitment to advancing music education and the profession.
Why we love this
Gilpin knows exactly what makes an entrance or exit memorable. The piece pivots smartly between high-energy fanfare sections and smoother legato passages, giving you natural dynamics to work with rather than relying on constant belting. The handclap element and syncopated rhythms keep singers engaged while remaining achievable for a solid community or school choir.
What to expect
A celebration with real momentum. The fanfare sections sparkle with ceremonial brightness, while the syncopations and hand percussion inject contemporary energy. Beneath all that excitement run legato moments that remind you this is genuinely crafted choral writing, not just noise.
Who it's for
Directors seeking a robust opener or closer that works for mixed SATB choirs at the intermediate to advanced level. The piece demands solid blend and rhythmic precision but doesn't require specialized ranges or extended vocal techniques, making it accessible to many ensembles while still offering musical substance.
How to get the most out of it
- Emphasize the contrast between the percussive fanfare-like phrases and the legato lines; treat them as genuinely different musical landscapes rather than variations on the same idea.
- Lock in the handclap cues early in rehearsal so the rhythm section feels confident and the claps land with unified precision.
- Shape the choral echoes with clarity so the call-and-response sections land as written conversations, not muddy overlap.
- Use subito dynamic shifts as character markers; these sudden changes are Gilpin's shorthand for energy, so commit fully to them rather than smoothing them over.
How to use it
Lead with this as a concert opener to establish tone and grab immediate attention, or save it for a finale that sends audiences out energized. It pairs well with more introspective selections, providing the dramatic bookend that makes your program arc feel intentional.
Skills your students will build
- Reading and executing subito dynamic changes
- Rhythmic precision in syncopated passages
- Coordinating sung lines with body percussion (handclaps)
- Balancing legato phrasing with percussive articulation
- Call-and-response ensemble awareness