Go Tell Aunt Rhody: SAB Choral Octavo
American Folk Song / arr. Greg Gilpin
Item: 00-PO-0007519
$2.30
Minimum order quantity: 20 copies
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Description
Funny and fun! This novelty arrangement of the well-known folk song waits until the very end to break the news about Aunt Rhody's beloved old gray goose. Along the way, singers humorously lament with independent voice parts, punctuated rhythmic patterns, and stacked harmonies. A few key changes, punchlines, and unexpected turns keep any familiar or repeated material fresh throughout.
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Additional Details
Series:
Alfred Choral Designs
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
12
SKU:
00-PO-0007519
More about this title
About the Arranger: Greg Gilpin
Greg Gilpin has established himself as both a prolific choral composer and arranger and an accomplished conductor who has led performances at major venues including Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Ryman Auditorium, Sydney Opera House, Royal Festival Hall, and Harpa Concert Hall. His work as an ASCAP award-winning composer and Director of Educational Choral Publications for Shawnee Press has shaped choral music education across the country.
Beyond the concert hall, Gilpin has expanded into film scoring (earning Best Score recognition for the 2021 short film "Rosie's Rescue"), recording production, and professional organizing. He holds memberships in ACDA, NAfME, SAG-AFTRA, and is a Life Loyal Member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia.
Why we love this
Gilpin's comedic timing is impeccable here. Rather than play the familiar melody straight, he builds anticipation and humor through independent voice parts and rhythmic interplay, then lands the punchline with perfect precision. Your singers will relish the dramatic irony and the chance to perform something that genuinely entertains an audience.
What to expect
A wink and a nudge wrapped in folk song tradition. The piece builds with mock solemnity through unexpected harmonic turns and rhythmic surprises, creating mounting tension before the inevitable, hilarious reveal. Singers feel like they're in on the joke.
Who it's for
Any SAB choir looking for a showstopper that combines musicality with genuine audience delight. This works equally well for high school and adult community choirs that want to program something clever without sacrificing musical substance.
How to get the most out of it
- Lean into the humor. This arrangement thrives on exaggerated lamenting and clear articulation of the rhythmic punctuation marks; treat it as theatrical performance, not just singing.
- Emphasize the key changes as structural markers. Each shift should feel intentional and fresh, signaling to the audience that something unexpected is coming.
- Keep the tempo buoyant and steady throughout. The novelty depends on pacing and rhythmic clarity, so avoid dragging or overindulging in any section.
- Balance the stacked harmonies so the melodic line remains audible. Independent voice parts work best when listeners can follow the story even as the textures thicken.
How to use it
Place this in the second half of a concert where the audience has settled in and will appreciate the comic relief. It pairs well with more serious repertoire and gives your choir a chance to show their range as performers. Strong festival or contest selection for choirs confident enough to commit fully to the comedy.
Skills your students will build
- Maintaining rhythmic precision in stacked, independent voice parts
- Executing key modulations with clean voice leading
- Balancing harmonic density while keeping melodic lines clear
- Performing with theatrical awareness and comedic timing
- Sustaining character and energy across repetition and variation