I Know Where I'm Going: SSA Choral Octavo

$1.90 USD

I Know Where I'm Going: SSA Choral Octavo

Name: I Know Where I'm Going: SSA Choral Octavo
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 00-43451
Price: 1.90 USD
Availability: InStock

Traditional Folk Song / arr. Mark Hayes

Item: 00-43451

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While the origins of this sublime love ballad are uncertain (either Ireland or Scotland), its beauty is undeniable. The melancholy traditional text speaks of trading all worldly trappings for "handsome, winsome Johnny," and Mark's skillful choral writing is pure elegance for women's choirs.

Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, I Know Where I'm Going: SSA Choral Octavo comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.

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Series: Alfred Choral Designs

Publisher: Alfred Music

Page Count: 8

UPC: 038081489919

SKU: 00-43451

More about this title

About the Arranger: Mark Hayes

Mark Hayes holds an international reputation as a pianist, composer, arranger, and conductor whose published catalog exceeds 1,750 works spanning sacred and secular traditions. He earned his Bachelor of Music degree summa cum laude in Piano Performance from Baylor University in 1975 and has conducted major venues including Lincoln Center, the National Cathedral, and Carnegie Hall. Among his notable achievements, he premiered his Requiem at Lincoln Center in 2013 and later conducted it in Rome as part of the Vatican-sponsored Festival Pro Musica E Arte Sacra.

Beyond his choral work, Hayes is prolific in orchestration, theatrical scoring, and piano composition, with over 100 piano books in print across jazz, gospel, classical, and Broadway idioms. In 2010, Baylor University recognized his contributions to Christian music education with its Award for Exemplary Leadership. Based in Kansas City, Missouri, Hayes continues to compose and arrange across multiple genres while maintaining an active conducting and performance schedule.

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Why we love this

Mark Hayes brings a sophisticated harmonic touch to this traditional melody, deepening the emotional weight of the text without overshadowing the simplicity at its heart. The SSA texture sits naturally in women's voices and allows even community or school choirs to sound polished and unified, making this arrangement both accessible and genuinely moving.

What to expect

The piece carries an ache of sacrifice and devotion; the melody feels timeless and slightly distant, as if remembered rather than lived. Hayes's arrangement wraps the tune in gentle harmonic color that never distracts from the poignancy of choosing love over worldly security.

Who it's for

This octavo suits treble choirs at the intermediate level and above, including high school honor choirs, collegiate women's ensembles, and professional community choirs. Directors seeking a traditional ballad that feels both intimate and substantial will find this arrangement rewarding, as it demands artistry without requiring virtuosic technique.

How to get the most out of it

Shape the phrase endings with slight ritardando to honor the melancholic text; the arrangement's spare texture means every breath and phrase turn communicates directly to the audience.
Balance the inner voice lines carefully so the harmony enriches rather than muddles the melody; transparent voicing is essential when the arrangement itself is elegantly minimal.
Explore the emotional arc over the entire piece rather than treating it as a series of moments; the traditional melody benefits from a single, sustained sense of longing throughout.

How to use it

Program this as a centerpiece in a concert exploring love songs across cultures, or pair it with other traditional melodies to showcase different regional musical heritages. Its eight-page length and moderate difficulty make it an ideal choice for mid-concert placement, offering your singers a chance to rest from demanding contemporary repertoire while maintaining audience engagement.