It Was a Lover and His Lass: SATB Choral Octavo

It Was a Lover and His Lass Sheet Music Preview

It Was a Lover and His Lass: SATB Choral Octavo

Name: It Was a Lover and His Lass: SATB Choral Octavo
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 00-PO-0005143
Price: 2.25 USD
Availability: InStock

By Michael Larkin

Level: Moderate

Item: 00-PO-0005143

Digital Download

$2.25

Minimum order quantity: 20 copies

Based on the well-known text by Shakespeare, this delightful contemporary madrigal is quick, rhythmic, light and fun to sing. The excellent voice leading makes the work very accessible, 'with a hey nonino.' Part of A Shakespeare Trilogy, it's a delightful work for large or small ensemble.

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Series: Alfred Archive Edition: Belwin Festival Series

Publisher: Alfred Music

Page Count: 8

SKU: 00-PO-0005143

More about this title

About the Composer: Michael Larkin

Michael Larkin brings three decades of choral leadership to his compositional work. As former chair of the Vocal/Choral Department at the Music School of Delaware and voice faculty member there, he shaped generations of singers and conductors. His output spans over 300 published works across choral, vocal, orchestral, and piano idioms with major American publishers.

Beyond the classroom, Larkin has maintained an active presence in the Delaware Valley's musical life as founder and director of the New Ark Chorale, conductor of the Brandywine Pops Orchestra, and Director of Music Ministry at St. Barnabas Episcopal Church in Wilmington. He regularly appears as a baritone soloist, guest conductor, and adjudicator at music festivals and competitions.

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Why we love this

Larkin captures the playful spirit of Shakespeare's text without sacrificing musical substance. The rhythmic energy and clean voice leading make this accessible for Grade 3 ensembles while remaining genuinely fun to sing, and the 'hey nonino' refrain gives singers something memorable to hold onto. It's the kind of piece that builds ensemble cohesion through pure musical joy.

What to expect

Bright and spirited, with the rhythmic bounce of a folk tune filtered through sophisticated harmonic writing. The piece dances more than it sustains, inviting singers to commit to its playfulness without descending into caricature. There's genuine warmth in the voice leading alongside the madrigal's characteristic wit.

Who it's for

This octavo works well for mixed choirs of any size, from smaller high school or church ensembles to large festival choirs. Grade 3 accessibility means young singers and less experienced musicians can succeed while still offering interpretive depth for more advanced groups.

How to get the most out of it

Keep the rhythmic drive crisp and energetic throughout; resist the urge to let the lighter character become sloppy or dragging.
Shape the 'hey nonino' sections as call-and-response moments between voice parts to maintain textural clarity and rhythmic precision.
Balance the parts carefully in the ensemble sections so no single voice dominates; the excellent voice leading only works when all four lines are heard equally.

How to use it

Program this alongside other Shakespeare settings or lighter secular choral works to create a spring or pops concert section that feels fresh without being trivial. As part of "A Shakespeare Trilogy," it can anchor a thematic concert exploring Shakespeare's text through contemporary composition, or stand alone as an intermission or closing piece that leaves audiences smiling.