I Shall Not Live in Vain: 3-Part Mixed Choral Octavo
Words by Emily Dickinson, music and additional words by Ruth Morris Gray
Item: 00-PO-0001831
$2.05
Minimum order quantity: 20 copies
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Description
This textured work of art is built on a captivating melodic theme that echoes and overlaps through the voices and an optional instrumental obbligato. Emily Dickinson's words are truly inspiring. There is simply no better choice for three-part choirs. Visit alfred.com/choralparts to download the free violin part. This title is available in Music Prodigy and MakeMusic Cloud.
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Additional Details
Series:
Alfred Choral Designs
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
12
SKU:
00-PO-0001831
More about this title
About the Composer: Ruth Morris Gray
Ruth Morris Gray has directed choirs at Rosemead High School in California since 2004, where she also teaches piano. Her compositional output exceeds 100 published choral works, reflecting a deep commitment to creating accessible yet artistically substantial repertoire for choir programs at all levels.
Gray holds a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance and Composition from Biola University and a Master of Arts in Music Composition from UC Santa Barbara. She completed her California Single Subject Music Credential at California State University, Northridge. Beyond her work as a composer, director, and performer, she is an avid traveler and outdoor enthusiast.
Why we love this
Gray's handling of Dickinson's text is both reverent and musical; the poem's power emerges through the interplay of voices rather than overshadowing it. The optional violin obbligato adds genuine textural sophistication without requiring it, making this piece genuinely useful for choirs with and without instrumental support. For three-part mixed voicing, the writing is unusually refined in its harmonic language and voice leading.
What to expect
Introspective and luminous, with a melody that feels both intimate and expansive as it weaves through the voices. The overlapping lines create a sense of reflection echoing inward, perfectly suited to Dickinson's meditation on legacy and meaning.
Who it's for
Three-part mixed choirs seeking literature that honors both text and musical craftsmanship. This works equally well for high school ensembles, community choirs, and college non-majors programs looking for concert or festival repertoire with substance.
How to get the most out of it
- Balance the thematic material carefully as it migrates between parts; the echoing effect only works when each entrance is clearly articulate but not attention-grabbing.
- If you include the violin part, rehearse it separately first so the instrumental obbligato remains truly optional in texture rather than essential to tuning.
- Shape the phrase endings with gentle releases rather than cutoffs; this piece rewards a transparent, singing sound throughout.
- Consider the emotional weight of Dickinson's words when approaching dynamics; even quiet passages carry significance here.
How to use it
Pair this with other poetry-based works for a thematic concert on American literature and voice. Its moderate length and concert-appropriate character make it ideal for spring festivals or graduation ceremonies where the text resonates with occasion and audience.
Skills your students will build
- Singing overlapping melodic lines with clear independence while maintaining ensemble blend
- Interpreting poetic text and translating that interpretation into musical phrasing
- Balancing SAB voicing in three-part writing
- Counting and executing precise entries when material echoes between voice parts