Like a River: SATB Choral Octavo

Name: Like a River: SATB Choral Octavo
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 00-11567
Price: 1.25 USD
Availability: InStock

Music by David Lantz III and Marti Lunn Lantz

Item: 00-11567

$1.25

Shipped

One moment…

An original, flowing ballad with a text about life, "moving forward like a river running free". Simple part writing in all voicings. The haunting opening and closing may be sung by a soloist or soloists of any voice part. Add two flutes (included in the publication) for a sensitive accompaniment. Great melody...lovely to sing for any age choir.

Like a River: SATB 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.

Request This Title

Tell us you want it.

Start Your Free Trial

Explore everything that's ready to play right now.

No sample pages found.

No sample audio found.

No sample videos found.

Series: Alfred Choral Designs

Publisher: Alfred Music

Page Count: 12

UPC: 038081028668

SKU: 00-11567

Instrumentation: Opt. 2 Flutes

More about this title

About the Composer: David Lantz III

David Lantz III brings classroom experience and compositional depth to every piece he writes. A full-time vocal music educator in Pennsylvania's public school system, he has published approximately 500 compositions across sacred and secular genres with major American publishers. His versatility extends beyond choral writing; he has composed for orchestra, symphonic band, jazz ensemble, and chamber groups, and serves as a church choir director and performing bassist and vocalist in pop and jazz settings. He is also accomplished as a music editor and engraver.

Lantz shares his creative life with his wife, composer Marti Lunn Lantz, and together they have raised five musical children. His dual role as educator and prolific composer means his pieces are written with real choirs in mind, balancing artistic vision with the practical needs of singers at all levels.

Show moreShow less

Why we love this

Lantz understands what choirs actually want to sing, and this piece delivers. The text unfolds with genuine emotional resonance while the part writing remains refreshingly direct, so your singers can focus on shaping phrases and connecting to the message rather than wrestling with complexity. The optional flute accompaniment elevates the whole experience without demanding extra rehearsal time.

What to expect

A quiet, contemplative piece that moves with purpose. The opening carries a haunting quality, intimate and searching, while the flowing melody suggests gentle forward momentum without urgency. There is honesty in the text and sincerity in the writing; singers feel the emotional weight without strain.

Who it's for

Any age choir looking for a piece with substance and accessibility. The simple voicings work equally well for developing singers and experienced choirs; what changes is the interpretive depth you can bring to the text and solo moments. The optional flutes make it a natural fit for programs where instrumental musicians are available.

How to get the most out of it

Shape the opening and closing solos with intimate phrasing; whether sung by a single voice or small group, these moments anchor the piece's reflective quality. Let the text breathe naturally.
Balance the flute accompaniment so it supports rather than overwhelms the choir. The instrumental color should feel like a gentle current beneath the vocal line.
Keep the tempo conversational and flowing. Resist the urge to rush; the piece's power comes from its unhurried movement forward.
Encourage singers to think of the river metaphor across the entire piece. The melody should feel continuous and unforced, without artificial phrasing breaks.

How to use it

Program this as a standalone moment of reflection within a varied concert, or pair it with other pieces that explore themes of change and resilience. Its accessible beauty and optional instrumentation make it equally effective as a concert closer or as part of a thematic program about life's journey. The 12-page length fits comfortably into mixed repertoire.