Howard Goodall's Great Big Tunes: SA Choral Book

Goodall understands what makes music stick in people's minds, and these arrangements prove it. By pairing the reverent beauty of Psalm 23 with a medley of beloved British sitcom themes, he gives your singers material that feels genuinely fun to perform while remaining musically substantial. The SA writing is honest about beginner choirs' needs without talking down to them.

Psalm 23 opens with hymn-like dignity and spiritual warmth, creating a moment of genuine reverence in any program. The medley that follows shifts into playful, infectious territory, where three generations of British comedy meet in bright, singable unison and harmony. The whole collection feels like a conversation between serious musicianship and genuine fun.

Developing choirs with mixed or limited male voice sections will find genuine repertoire here, not filler. Singers aged 10 and up respond immediately to material they recognize, and the SA voicing removes the pressure of waiting for adolescent voices to settle. Directors seeking accessible secular pieces that still respect their singers' intelligence should add this to their libraries.

• Balance the two contrasting moods carefully: allow Psalm 23 the space and stillness it needs before shifting into the brighter energy of the medley.
• Lock the accompaniment tempos with your singers during early rehearsals. The piano part supports rather than drives, so clear conducting will help the ensemble stay confident.
• Encourage sopranos and altos to listen actively to each other in thirds and unisons. The straightforward voice leading rewards clean intonation.
• In the medley section, articulate the rhythmic vitality of each theme. These melodies are recognizable precisely because of their rhythmic character, so bring that out.

These pieces work beautifully as a concert pairing: open a family or community concert with Psalm 23 to establish presence and quality, then close with the medley to send audiences out smiling. Alternatively, use the individual pieces across your season to show range without demanding advanced technical skills from your ensemble.

• Singing three-part harmony from a mixed ensemble perspective
• Maintaining intonation across thirds and unisons
• Following piano accompaniment without being overwhelmed by it
• Interpreting text through dynamic and stylistic contrast
• Building confidence with familiar melodic material