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I Gave My Love a Cherry: SSA Choral Octavo

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I Gave My Love a Cherry Cover Image
I Gave My Love a Cherry: SSA Choral Octavo

I Gave My Love a Cherry: SSA Choral Octavo

(The Riddle Song)

Traditional Folk Song / arr. Pepper Choplin

Item: 00-41607
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Description
Simply stunning. A gently flowing accompaniment beautifully complements the transparent choral texture, and an extended coda provides the perfect close to this Appalachian-inspired arrangement. Unlike anything else you will program this year!

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Additional Details
Series: Alfred Choral Designs
Publisher: Alfred Music
Page Count: 8
UPC: 038081466873
SKU: 00-41607

More about this title

About the Arranger: Pepper Choplin

Pepper Choplin

Pepper Choplin studied composition at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas, following his undergraduate work in music at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. He has composed over two hundred anthems and seven choral musicals, drawing from a diverse musical background that spans rock, classical, and bluegrass idioms. His work as a clinician, conductor, and performer has taken him across the country, and he currently serves as Minister of Music at Greystone Baptist Church in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Choplin's creative practice is rooted in the specific needs of his own worship community; many of his pieces emerge directly from liturgical and congregational contexts. His recordings, including the humorous collection Pepper Is My Real Name and the inspirational solo album Hold On, reveal his gift for balancing entertainment with genuine spiritual depth. His stated aim is to "create music that will lead people to worship in a dramatic way."

Why we love this

Choplin's arrangement breathes new life into this traditional melody by pairing it with accompaniment that feels both supportive and carefully crafted. The extended coda sets this apart from stock folk song settings, offering a memorable harmonic or textural payoff that justifies the piece's inclusion on a concert program. SSA voicing with this level of musical refinement performs well at festivals and competitions without sacrificing the warmth that makes traditional material resonate with audiences.

What to expect

The piece unfolds with a quiet, flowing quality that evokes the Appalachian landscape from which it originates. The accompaniment feels organic rather than ornamental, allowing the melody to breathe naturally while the expanded coda provides a moment of harmonic or emotional arrival that feels earned.

Who it's for

This arrangement works well for SSA choirs in middle school through community and college settings. It is approachable enough for developing ensembles yet offers enough musical substance to engage more experienced singers and impress adjudicators at festivals.

How to get the most out of it

  • Honor the gentle quality described in the text by resisting the urge to oversing; let the transparent voicing carry the melody without forcing blend or volume.
  • Attend to the transition into the extended coda so it feels inevitable rather than tacked on; mark where the textural or harmonic shift occurs and rehearse the hand-off between sections thoroughly.
  • Explore the recorded accompaniment option early in rehearsal to establish the stylistic tempo and allow singers to hear how their parts interact with the keyboard sound.

How to use it

This pairs beautifully on a concert that explores American traditional music or folk-inspired arrangements; it could anchor a program section on heritage repertoire or serve as a warm contrast after more complex contemporary pieces. Its accessibility and emotional directness also make it a strong choice for spring concerts where audiences value lyrical, singable material.

Skills your students will build

  • Singing with transparency and minimal vibrato appropriate to folk song style
  • Balancing melody and accompaniment within a thin texture
  • Phrase shaping and breath management in a gently flowing line
  • Ensemble coordination through an extended structural section (the coda)

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