Let The River Run: SSA Choral Octavo

As performed by Carly Simon / Arranged by Kirby Shaw

Item: 35-DS00166982

Digital Download
$2.99
Description

Let The River Run: SSA Choral Octavo isn't in MakeMusic Cloud just yet...but it could be. Let us know you'd like to see it, and you'll help shape what comes next. In the meantime, start a free trial and dive into thousands of interactive titles your students can play along with today.

Sample Audio
No sample audio found.
Sample Video
Additional Details
Publisher: Hal Leonard
Page Count: 10
SKU: 35-DS00166982

More about this title

About the Artist: Carly Simon

Carly Simon emerged as a distinctive voice in 1970s popular music, bringing literary sophistication and emotional honesty to songs that often became cultural touchstones. Her work spans pop, folk, and standards repertoire, establishing her as a songwriter and interpreter capable of conveying narrative depth and nuanced emotion.

For choral directors, Simon's catalog offers material that connects students to well-crafted melodies and accessible contemporary arrangements. Her songs translate effectively to ensemble settings because they prioritize clear lyrical storytelling and singable vocal lines.

Why we love this

Kirby Shaw's arrangement captures the aspirational quality of this iconic 1989 song while making it genuinely playable for SSA voicing. The octavo sits in a range that allows younger or developing singers to access the melody without strain, and Shaw's scoring supports ensemble blend without sacrificing the song's cinematic sweep.

What to expect

The piece captures a sense of possibility and forward motion, with melodies that feel both contemporary and timeless. There's an undercurrent of reflection beneath the surface optimism, inviting singers to explore both the soaring moments and the quieter emotional terrain within the song.

Who it's for

This arrangement works for intermediate to advanced SSA choirs seeking accessible yet substantial contemporary material. It's an excellent choice for programs that include pop, folk, or standard repertoire, and for ensembles looking to connect with recognizable material that students genuinely want to sing.

How to get the most out of it

  • Maintain a steady, forward-moving tempo throughout. This piece lives in the energy of its momentum, so resist the urge to pull back in passages that feel sustained.
  • Shape the text with intention. Simon's lyrics carry visual imagery that rewards clear diction and intentional phrase shaping.
  • Blend the harmony voices by having them listen inward during rehearsal; mark dynamics conservatively at first, then adjust up from there.
  • Use the recorded accompaniment to establish the harmonic foundation early, then gradually pull it back in rehearsals so singers anchor to each other.

How to use it

Position this in a concert section celebrating songs that bridge generations or popular music that has proven artistic merit. It pairs naturally with other 1980s and 1990s standards, or as an accessible anchor piece in a program that might include more challenging choral literature.

Skills your students will build

  • Legit vowel shaping across a wide range
  • Balancing solo melody with supporting harmony lines
  • Sustaining emotional through-line across a full arrangement
  • Blend and balance in close harmony passages
  • Interpreting contemporary text with musical intention

You May Also Like