How Merrily We Live: SSA Choral Octavo

John Leavitt's arrangement captures the charm of a Renaissance secular song while making it entirely accessible for modern SSA ensembles. The piece sits comfortably for developing singers and builds genuine joy without requiring elaborate vocal gymnastics. It's the kind of work that singers remember fondly and audiences find delightful.

There's an infectious optimism in this piece. The text celebrates the simple pleasure of living merrily, and the music follows suit with stepwise motion, open harmonies, and a straightforward tunefulness that feels both period-appropriate and immediately memorable. Singers often come away with smiles.

SSA and SSAA choirs at the high school or early collegiate level will find this perfectly proportioned for both rehearsal time and performance impact. It works equally well for concert choirs seeking a lighter program opener or for groups building confidence in Renaissance-era style and harmonic language.

• Shape each phrase with a natural arc rather than singing through the bar lines mechanically; the text should drive the phrasing
• Balance the three voices so no single part dominates unless the text or arrangement specifically calls for it
• Keep the tempo lilting and spirited without rushing; a steady heartbeat underneath prevents the piece from feeling precious

Use this as a contrasting piece on a concert pairing art songs with more substantial contemporary works, or include it in a program exploring secular Renaissance music alongside madrigals. It's also an excellent choice for spring concerts where lighter fare balances dramatic winter repertoire.

• Reading four-part voicing in treble clef notation
• Sustaining independent melodic lines in polyphonic texture
• Phrasing and breathing in homophonic passages
• Ensemble balance and blend with minimal doubled voices
• Interpreting Renaissance harmonic language and its relationship to text