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Dewdrops: PianoTrax Digital Audio Download

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Dewdrops Cover Image

Dewdrops: PianoTrax Digital Audio Download

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

Item: 00-A-00016019

$9.99
Digital Download
Description

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Additional Details
Series: Alfred Choral Designs
Publisher: Alfred Music
SKU: 00-A-00016019

More about this title

About the Composer: Shayla L. Blake

Shayla L. Blake

Shayla L. Blake brings together deep training in both keyboard and wind performance with decades of collaborative and teaching experience. She studied flute with Geoffrey Gilbert and piano with William Westney at Stetson University and Texas Tech University, earning Bachelor's and Master's degrees in piano performance and placing as a finalist in Texas Tech's graduate concerto competition. Her work as a collaborative pianist, private instructor in flute and piano, and choral arranger has made her a sought-after musician across Louisiana and beyond.

Currently serving as a collaborative pianist and instructor in piano, flute, songwriting, and choral arranging at Louisiana Tech University's School of Music, Blake's compositions and arrangements have been published by major houses including Hal Leonard, Alfred Music, Lorenz, and Shawnee Press, with performances ranging from TMEA conventions to the Vatican. In 2020 she received a Fellowship at Hambidge Center for the Arts. Beyond concert music, Blake directs the North Louisiana Parkinson's Chorale, bringing music therapy to patients and their families in partnership with Louisiana Tech University's School of Nursing.

Why we love this

Blake's gift for melody shines through in 'Dewdrops,' delivering the kind of sophisticated yet singable material that works equally well in a festival setting or a concert program. The piece has real musical substance without demanding excessive rehearsal time, and its accessibility makes it a smart choice for building your ensemble's confidence on the contest stage.

What to expect

Delicate and introspective, 'Dewdrops' evokes morning light and quiet reflection. The writing has an impressionistic quality that rewards careful attention to dynamics and vowels, creating an almost shimmering texture that feels both intimate and ensemble-focused.

Who it's for

This piece works beautifully for intermediate to advancing choirs competing in festival or contest settings, as well as for concert programs where you want a piece that is genuinely moving without requiring an unrealistic rehearsal investment. It suits singers who are developing musicality and part independence but aren't yet ready for the density of four-part writing at the most advanced levels.

How to get the most out of it

  • Balance the part writing so that inner harmonies emerge clearly; Blake layers the voices thoughtfully, and letting those lines breathe will reveal her harmonic intent.
  • Use the recorded accompaniment to lock in ensemble cohesion during early rehearsals, then gradually reduce reliance on it as singers internalize their parts and ensemble blend.
  • Shape phrases with intention rather than singing through them mechanically; the text painting deserves attention to dynamics and pacing to convey the imagery fully.

How to use it

Pair this with a more energetic or dramatic piece to show the range of your ensemble's musicianship; the contemplative mood makes it an excellent choice as a contrasting selection in a three-piece festival set. It also works as an elegant opening to a concert program when you want to establish an artistic tone from the first moment.

Skills your students will build

  • Singing sustained, tessellated harmonies with consistent tone quality
  • Balancing ensemble blend while maintaining individual line clarity
  • Responding to subtle text painting and interpretive shaping within a choral context
  • Sight-reading modern choral writing with straightforward but flowing voice leading

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