I Love the Mountains: 2-Part Choral Octavo
Traditional Camp Song / additional Words by Julie I. Myers / arr. Shayla L. Blake
Item: 00-PO-0008396
$2.50
Minimum order quantity: 10 copies
Please note: Under U.S. copyright law, you must purchase the exact number of copies needed for your ensemble. Printing, duplicating or sharing additional copies is strictly prohibited.
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Description
Grab your gear and let's go hiking! Everyone has a chance to sing the "boom-dee-ah-dah" ostinato in this traditional camp song of trails, sails, dragonflies, and stars. The familiar melody is passed back and forth in this engaging exploration of the wonderful things to see and do in the great outdoors. An achievable adventure for those taking their first steps on the path to singing in parts.
The PerformancePlus+ series is an innovative addition to the ever-expanding MakeMusic Cloud interactive library. These engaging selections are presented with educational resources designed to enrich the rehearsal process and create outstanding performances. Including:
The PerformancePlus+ series is an innovative addition to the ever-expanding MakeMusic Cloud interactive library. These engaging selections are presented with educational resources designed to enrich the rehearsal process and create outstanding performances. Including:
- Assignment, recording, and assessment tools within MakeMusic Cloud
- Part-predominant and accompaniment tracks
- Printable sheet music (with a standard MakeMusic Cloud subscription)
- Correlated rehearsal guides and performance notes
- Rights to perform in a live or virtual setting
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, I Love the Mountains: 2-Part 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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Additional Details
Series:
Alfred Choral Designs
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
12
SKU:
00-PO-0008396
More about this title
About the Arranger: Shayla L. Blake
Shayla L. Blake brings deep roots in both instrumental and vocal music education. She holds degrees in piano performance from Stetson University and Texas Tech University, where she studied with Geoffrey Gilbert (flute) and William Westney (piano), and earned recognition as a finalist in multiple concerto competitions. Her arrangements and compositions have been published by major houses including Alfred Music, Hal Leonard, Shawnee Press, and Lorenz, with performances ranging from TMEA conferences to international venues.
At Louisiana Tech University's School of Music, Blake teaches piano, flute, songwriting, and choral arranging while serving as a collaborative pianist for ensembles of all ages. Beyond the classroom, she co-directs the North Louisiana Parkinson's Chorale, bringing music as therapeutic practice to her community. A Hambidge Center Fellow and frequent clinician, Blake understands the specific needs of developing choirs and writes arrangements that open doors rather than close them.
Why we love this
Blake's arrangement takes a familiar tune and genuinely shares it, rotating the melody between sections so every singer gets a moment in the spotlight. The "boom-dee-ah-dah" ostinato gives the lower voices rhythmic purpose and creates that satisfying group energy, while the part writing never overcomplicates what should feel natural. This is the kind of piece that makes young singers believe they can handle two-part singing.
What to expect
Bright and energizing, with the kind of straightforward joy that comes from outdoor adventure. The ostinato drives forward with playful momentum while the melody soars above it, creating moments where singers feel genuinely part of something larger. There's an infectious, campfire-friendly spirit here that sits perfectly between simple and substantial.
Who it's for
Middle school and early high school choirs taking their first sustained journey into part singing. Singers should be comfortable matching pitch and holding a line, but they don't need advanced sight-reading or experience with complex rhythms. This arrangement proves that accessible doesn't mean boring.
How to get the most out of it
- Isolate the ostinato in rehearsal by having one group sing the melody while the other locks into the rhythmic pattern; then reverse roles so both sections own both parts fully.
- Layer the accompaniment track gradually: start with melody-only rehearsals to establish independence, then add piano to show how the parts sit within the fuller sound.
- Mark breathing points collaboratively with your singers so the ostinato doesn't lose momentum when one group breathes; stagger breaths across the section for seamless continuity.
- Use the performance notes in MakeMusic Cloud to highlight where the melody passes between parts; visual cues during rehearsal help singers anticipate entrances and stay tracking with confidence.
How to use it
Slot this into a spring concert celebrating nature themes, or program it early in the year as an icebreaker that builds ensemble confidence. The recorded accompaniment makes it ideal for virtual performances or hybrid rehearsal scenarios when you need a reliable teaching tool with professional sound support.
Skills your students will build
- sustaining an ostinato against a moving melody
- tracking melodic transfers between voice parts
- rhythmic independence and precision
- blend and balance in a two-part texture
- reading and performing simple interval leaps