Dewdrops: SSA Choral Octavo

Name: Dewdrops: SSA Choral Octavo
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 00-51086
Price: 2.30 USD
Availability: InStock

Words by Julie I. Myers, music by Shayla L. Blake

Item: 00-51086

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Evoke the feeling of a glistening daybreak with this captivating original. It's a pleasure to sing, with a tuneful theme and some sparkling harmonic highlights that fan out from a single note. Perform with optional flute, wind chimes, and suspended cymbal to create a refreshing nature soundscape. "Tiny drops of water . . . showing me the beauty of sunlight shining through."

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Series: Alfred Choral Designs

Publisher: Alfred Music

Page Count: 12

UPC: 038081581231

SKU: 00-51086

More about this title

About the Composer: Shayla L. Blake

Shayla L. Blake holds degrees in piano performance from both Stetson University and Texas Tech University, where she studied with Geoffrey Gilbert (flute) and William Westney (piano). She earned recognition as a finalist in Texas Tech's Graduate Concerto Competition and served as a Graduate Teaching Assistant during her studies.

Blake teaches piano, flute, songwriting, and choral arranging at Louisiana Tech University's School of Music, where she also serves as a collaborative pianist. Her compositions and arrangements have been published by major houses including Alfred Music, Hal Leonard, Shawnee Press, and Lorenz, with performances at the Vatican and international festivals. Beyond her studio and university work, she directs the North Louisiana Parkinson's Chorale in partnership with Louisiana Tech's School of Nursing, bringing music therapy to patients in her community.

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Why we love this

Blake's gift for melody shines here. She builds a genuinely singable theme that feels natural in the voice while layering harmonic colors that reward careful listening and blend work. The optional instrumentation (flute, wind chimes, suspended cymbal) adds textural richness without complicating rehearsal or performance logistics.

What to expect

Dewdrops captures the quiet wonder of early morning: delicate, luminous, and full of subtle motion. The harmonies shimmer and shift like light refracting through water droplets, while the melody sits comfortably in the voice and invites singers to connect with the imagery of sunlight revealing hidden beauty.

Who it's for

This piece suits intermediate to advanced SSA choirs (grades 6-12, college, community, and adult ensembles) seeking accessible yet musically sophisticated repertoire. Directors programming spring concerts, festival entries, or recitals will find it equally at home in secular programs.

How to get the most out of it

Shape the opening phrase to emphasize the tuneful theme; let it breathe without rushing, allowing the text painting to mirror the slowness of morning light breaking through.
Balance the sparkling harmonic highlights by listening carefully across voice parts during blend work; Blake's harmonies fan outward from single notes, so precision in intonation unlocks the shimmer.
If performing with optional instrumentation, rehearse flute and choral parts separately before combining to ensure the flute ornaments enhance rather than obscure the vocal line.
Use the recorded accompaniment to lock ensemble intonation and phrasing, then perform live for contest or concert to maintain interpretive control of tempo and dynamic shape.

How to use it

Program this as a centerpiece opener or closer for a spring concert to set a serene, nature-inspired mood. It pairs beautifully alongside other contemporary secular works and creates an effective contrast when bookended by livelier selections. For festival entries, its modest instrumentation requirements and strong musical content make it a confident choice for both performance and adjudication.

Skills your students will build

Singing tuneful, lyrical lines with attention to text expression and imagery
Balancing SSA harmony across voice parts and tuning complex chord voicings
Blending with optional instruments (flute, wind chimes, suspended cymbal) and managing ensemble texture
Sustaining long phrases and shaping vocal line to support dynamic and emotional arc