Go Tell Aunt Rhody: 2-Part Choral Octavo
American Folk Song / arr. Greg Gilpin
Item: 00-PO-0007520
$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-0007520
More about this title
About the Arranger: Greg Gilpin
Greg Gilpin has built a career as both a composer and arranger working across concert halls and recording studios. His choral arrangements have been performed at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Ryman Auditorium, Sydney Opera House, Royal Festival Hall, and venues worldwide. Gilpin serves as Director of Educational Choral Publications for Shawnee Press and holds membership in ACDA, NAfME, and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia.
Beyond the concert stage, Gilpin has scored the award-winning short film "Rosie's Rescue" and collaborated with opera singer Angela Brown on a world premiere arrangement of "What Child is This?" with the Indianapolis Symphonic Choir. His work has received ASCAP recognition and been heard across network television and streaming platforms. He remains active in teaching, composing, and conducting.
Why we love this
Gilpin knows how to keep a familiar tune surprising. The arrangement stretches out the joke across the entire piece, using independent voice parts and harmonic shifts to build comic tension before delivering the punchline. For directors seeking concert repertoire that entertains both singers and audience without sacrificing musicality, this delivers on all fronts.
What to expect
Playful and mischievous, with stacked harmonies that create a sense of stacked laughter. The piece bounces along with rhythmic energy and tonal twists that keep both singers and listeners leaning in, waiting for the surprise ending.
Who it's for
Mixed-age choirs (school, community, church) that enjoy ensemble work and storytelling through music. The two-part voicing makes it accessible to developing singers while the arrangement's wit and sophistication reward stronger ensembles.
How to get the most out of it
- Shape the rhythmic punctuations with crisp articulation and clear ensemble alignment; these comedic hits land harder when the ensemble moves as one.
- Highlight the key changes as dramatic moments rather than technical hurdles. Each shift lifts the energy and signals a new beat of the story.
- Balance the two voice parts so independent lines stay visible without one drowning out the other. These interweaving parts drive the humor.
- Use the recorded accompaniment to lock the ensemble's sense of timing and to hear how the arrangement unfolds at performance tempo.
How to use it
Perfect as a closer on a concert or festival set; the humor lands best when the audience has invested time in the familiar melody and fallen into its groove. It works equally well as a contest piece that showcases ensemble precision and musicianship through unexpected musical turns.
Skills your students will build
- Singing independent two-part lines while maintaining ensemble blend
- Responding to modulations and key changes with accurate intonation
- Executing rhythmic precision in punctuated patterns for comedic effect
- Building harmonic awareness through stacked voicings
- Interpreting narrative and character in a choral setting