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Life Has Loveliness: SSA Choral Octavo

$2.05 USD
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Life Has Loveliness Cover Image
Life Has Loveliness: SSA Choral Octavo

Life Has Loveliness: SSA Choral Octavo

Words by Sara Teasdale, music by Greg Gilpin

Item: 00-50189

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Description
Acknowledge life's many gifts with this splendid setting of Sara Teasdale's poem that reminds us to "spend all you have for loveliness." A lilting rhythmic flow and some refreshing mixed meter moments create a buoyant effect. Greg's tuneful lines and sensible part writing are satisfying to sing and pave the way to success. Absolutely delightful!

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Additional Details
Series: Alfred Choral Designs
Publisher: Alfred Music
Page Count: 12
UPC: 038081573595
SKU: 00-50189

More about this title

About the Composer: Greg Gilpin

Greg Gilpin

Greg Gilpin is an ASCAP award-winning composer and arranger whose choral works are performed across the country and internationally. He has conducted major ensembles at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and Ryman Auditorium, with guest appearances at venues including the Sydney Opera House, Royal Festival Hall in London, and Harpa Concert Hall in Reykjavik. As Director of Educational Choral Publications for Shawnee Press, Gilpin shapes the landscape of accessible, singable choral literature for student ensembles.

Beyond the concert hall, Gilpin has expanded his creative pursuits into film scoring, composing the award-winning score for the short film "Rosie's Rescue," and collaborating with opera singer Angela Brown on a new arrangement of "What Child is This?" premiered by the Indianapolis Symphonic Choir. He holds membership in ACDA, NAfME, and SAG-AFTRA, and is a Life Loyal Member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia.

Why we love this

Gilpin's gift for writing singable, tuneful lines shines here. The mixed meter moments feel organic rather than imposed, and the rhythmic momentum keeps the piece energized without requiring technical virtuosity. This is the kind of setting where every voice part has something musical to do, making it equally rewarding for singers at varying levels.

What to expect

The piece radiates warmth and gentle momentum. Sara Teasdale's reflective poem on life's gifts finds a musical setting that feels conversational and immediate, with enough rhythmic interest to keep the texture alive while remaining fundamentally tuneful and lyrical.

Who it's for

SSA choirs of intermediate ability seeking a concert or festival piece with text-driven meaning and buoyant musicality. This work suits high school and college ensembles, as well as community and adult choirs. The sensible part writing makes it accessible without sacrificing musical sophistication.

How to get the most out of it

  • Maintain the lilting rhythmic flow by keeping eighth notes light and slightly buoyant; resist the urge to weight the meter too heavily.
  • Approach the mixed meter sections as a natural extension of the pulse rather than a disruption; keep the conductor's beat consistent and let the harmonic shifts do the work.
  • Layer the text with genuine warmth when singing Teasdale's invitation to "spend all you have for loveliness," letting the poetry inform the emotional arc.

How to use it

Pair this with other text-rich secular works to build a thematic concert around gratitude, beauty, or the human spirit. The twelve-page length and moderate difficulty make it a strong mid-set choice before a more substantial finale. Its celebratory tone works particularly well for graduation programs or spring concerts.

Skills your students will build

  • Reading and performing mixed meter (specifically navigating shifts between common and less common time signatures)
  • Balancing rhythmic precision with lyrical phrasing in a buoyant setting
  • Shaping musical line through textual interpretation and poetic understanding
  • Part independence and voice leading in SSA voicing

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