Let the Song Begin Sheet Music Preview

Let the Song Begin: 3-Part / SAB, a cappella Choral Octavo

Words and music by Donald Moore

Item: 00-PO-0000413

Digital Download
$2.05

Minimum order quantity: 20 copies

Description
The ultimate original madrigal for any choir. Independent vocal lines, terraced dynamics, and a joyful "music" text create an ideal teaching piece that works well as a concert opener or an a cappella feature.

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Sample Audio
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Sample Video
Additional Details
Series: Alfred Choral Designs
Publisher: Alfred Music
Page Count: 8
SKU: 00-PO-0000413

More about this title

About the Composer: Donald Moore

Donald Moore

Donald Moore studied organ performance at Kent State University and earned a Master of Arts in Teaching from the same institution. He serves as Organist-Choirmaster at Pilgrim United Church of Christ in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, and has become one of the most frequently published composers in American choral music, with over 500 works in print across major publishers including Alfred Music, Hal Leonard, Heritage Music Press, and others.

Moore's catalog spans sacred and secular choral literature, organ and piano works, educational compositions, and instructional books. His pieces appear regularly on state contest and festival programs and have been presented at state, regional, national, and international conventions. He is a seventeen-time recipient of the ASCAP Composers Standard Award and was recognized by the American Choral Directors Association Choral Journal as one of 400 composers of historical significance in American choral music.

Why we love this

Moore captures the spirit of the madrigal tradition without demanding advanced vocal technique, making this an accessible entry point into the genre. The independent lines stay manageable for developing singers while the joyful text about music itself naturally energizes any choir, and the piece's lean eight-page format fits neatly into rehearsal time and concert programs alike.

What to expect

Celebratory and transparent. The independent lines create shimmer and movement without density, and the text's focus on music itself generates infectious joy that translates to both singers and listeners. There's a lightness and elegance here that feels both classical and contemporary at once.

Who it's for

Intermediate to advanced treble-heavy or mixed choirs looking for an a cappella piece that teaches madrigal style without requiring extensive music reading maturity. Ensembles preparing for contests, festivals, or concert performances will find this accessible yet musically rewarding.

How to get the most out of it

  • Bring out the independence of each part by rehearsing voicings in pairs before bringing all three together; this clarity is essential to the madrigal character.
  • Shape the terraced dynamics deliberately rather than as sudden switches; allow transitions between dynamic levels to feel intentional and musical.
  • Keep the text articulation crisp and unified across all three parts so the "music" theme lands with conviction throughout the piece.

How to use it

This works beautifully as a concert opener, immediately establishing energy and warmth with the audience. It also pairs well in a set of secular madrigals or a cappella features, and its contest-appropriate length makes it an efficient choice for festival programming.

Skills your students will build

  • Independent part singing in three-part harmony
  • Madrigal style and phrasing conventions
  • A cappella blend and balance across voicings
  • Terraced dynamics and musical shaping
  • Clear text articulation in ensemble context

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