E Ala E Cover Image

E Ala E: SAB, <i>a cappella</i> Choral Octavo

$2.05 USD
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E Ala E Cover Image
E Ala E: SAB, a cappella Choral Octavo

E Ala E: SAB, a cappella Choral Octavo

(Arise)

Words from a Hawaiian Chant by Pualani Kanake'ole Kanahele, music by Ruth Morris Gray

Item: 00-38051
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Description
This nature-inspired poem celebrates our connection to the rising sun, incorporating equal parts English and Hawaiian text. Rhythmic and harmonic motives sound authentic throughout. Highly creative.

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Additional Details
Series: Alfred Choral Designs
Publisher: Alfred Music
Page Count: 12
UPC: 038081425238
SKU: 00-38051
Instrumentation: Opt. Percussion

More about this title

About the Composer: Ruth Morris Gray

Ruth Morris Gray

Ruth Morris Gray has been Director of Choirs at Rosemead High School since 2004, where she also teaches piano and leads the choral program. She holds a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance and Composition from Biola University, a Master of Arts in Music Composition from UC Santa Barbara, and her California Single Subject Music Credential from Cal State Northridge. With over 100 published choral works to her name, Gray has established herself as a prolific voice in contemporary choral writing.

Beyond the classroom and rehearsal hall, Gray remains an active performer and composer whose creative output reflects her diverse interests. When not immersed in music, she travels, swims, reads, and explores the outdoors on e-bike adventures with her husband, Douglas.

Why we love this

Gray's setting captures something genuinely fresh in the multicultural choral repertoire. Rather than treating Hawaiian language and musical sensibility as decorative elements, she weaves them into the harmonic and rhythmic DNA of the piece, so the text and music feel inseparable. For SAB ensembles in particular, this is a standout choice that doesn't compromise musicality or authenticity for accessibility.

What to expect

The piece radiates warmth and natural energy. Harmonies that honor Hawaiian musical tradition sit comfortably alongside contemporary idioms, creating a soundscape that feels both rooted and immediate. Singing this work feels like honoring something true.

Who it's for

SAB choirs looking for authentic multicultural repertoire that engages both the ear and the mind. The piece works equally well for high school concert choirs and adult community ensembles seeking something beyond typical repertoire lists.

How to get the most out of it

  • Anchor the rhythmic motives early in rehearsal; their repetition creates the piece's harmonic foundation, so precision here will solve intonation issues downstream.
  • Shape the English and Hawaiian sections as distinct musical environments rather than treating them as parallel statements. This deepens the contrast and makes the overall arc more compelling.
  • Optional percussion can either enhance the rhythmic energy or sit out entirely depending on your space and ensemble size. Experiment in rehearsal to see what serves the text best.
  • Balance the three parts carefully in the homophonic passages. SAB voicing can easily get lost in the middle, so don't assume alto will project without intention.

How to use it

This fits beautifully in a spring concert celebrating cultural diversity or as a centerpiece for a program exploring nature themes. It could also anchor a set focused on Pacific and island traditions, or stand alone as a meaningful closing piece that leaves audiences reflecting on connection and renewal.

Skills your students will build

  • Singing in Hawaiian language with proper vowel formation and rhythmic accuracy
  • Reading and sustaining authentic harmonic motion across three parts
  • Blending SAB voicing in homophonic and independent texture writing
  • Interpreting multicultural musical idioms with respect and stylistic awareness
  • Coordinating with optional percussion parts

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