Composers All Around: 2-Part Choral Octavo
Traditional Rounds / arr., with new words, by Andy Beck and Mark Burrows
Item: 00-PO-0003570
$1.90
Minimum order quantity: 20 copies
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Description
This brainy little piece, a collaboration by two of the industry's favorite children's writers, uses tunes from three traditional rounds to teach the names of master composers throughout music history. For maximum classroom impact, use with Alfred's Accent on Composers, One-Page Composer Bios, or Composer Gallery.
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Additional Details
Series:
Alfred Choral Designs
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
12
SKU:
00-PO-0003570
More about this title
About the Arranger: Andy Beck
Andy Beck directs choral publications at Alfred Music and has composed and arranged over 450 works for singers of all ages, from young choristers to professional ensembles. His pedagogical resources, including Sing at First Sight and Vocalize! 45 Vocal Warm-Ups That Teach Technique, reflect his commitment to building musicianship through repertoire and technique. Beck holds degrees in Music Education from Ithaca College and Northwest Missouri State University, and he remains active as a guest conductor, clinician, and adjudicator for honor choirs and all-state groups throughout the United States.
Beyond his publishing work, Beck is an accomplished tenor who performs with the North Carolina Master Chorale Chamber Choir and directs musical theatre. His arrangements and compositions are performed by singers worldwide, and his engagement with music educators at every level informs the practical, classroom-ready quality of his catalog.
Why we love this
This piece channels the teaching power of familiar melodies to accomplish something genuinely clever: embedding composer names and historical context into music that students will actually enjoy singing. The partner song structure keeps the writing accessible for developing two-part singers while the traditional tune framework makes learning both the music and the composers themselves feel natural rather than forced.
What to expect
Energetic and playful. The use of traditional rounds creates a sense of familiarity and fun, while the educational layer adds intellectual satisfaction. Singers feel like they're solving a puzzle together, discovering composer names woven into melodies they recognize.
Who it's for
Elementary and middle school choirs ready to move beyond unison into two-part singing. This octavo works equally well for general music classes exploring music history and for choral ensembles seeking repertoire that teaches cultural literacy alongside musicianship.
How to get the most out of it
- Balance the two melodic lines so listeners hear both the traditional tunes and any harmonic interplay between them; uneven voicing can obscure the partner song structure.
- Shape phrases across the 12 pages with clear breathing points and dynamic contours to sustain engagement through multiple composer references.
- Pair the recording with intentional preparation of the names and biographical details; singers who know who they're singing about bring confidence and ownership to the performance.
How to use it
Open a school assembly or concert with this piece to set a celebratory tone around music history. It also serves as a bridge activity in spring programs, pairing naturally with Alfred's Accent on Composers or One-Page Composer Bios for a thematic music history unit that combines performance with learning.
Skills your students will build
- Two-part singing and voice independence
- Music history literacy (identifying composers and their eras)
- Sight-reading traditional melodies in a choral context
- Phrasing and dynamic awareness in partner songs