Make Them Hear You: SATB, a cappella Choral Octavo
from Ragtime
Lyrics by Lynn Ahrens, music by Stephen Flaherty / arr. Kirby Shaw
Item: 00-PO-0006046
$2.10
Minimum order quantity: 20 copies
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Description
Here's the heart-swelling central anthem from Ragtime, beautifully arranged for a cappella voices! A lush "ah" and "oo" introduction yields to the stirring strains of Stephen Flaherty's stunning Broadway ballad, which gradually builds to a wall of sound as Lynn Ahrens' lyrics unfold. This arrangement delivers the spirit and truth of an important message---especially relevant today.
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Additional Details
Series:
Alfred Pop Choral Series
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
8
SKU:
00-PO-0006046
More about this title
About the Composer: Stephen Flaherty
Stephen Flaherty has established himself as one of Broadway's most prolific and versatile composers, with a gift for creating memorable melodies that serve both intimate moments and sweeping ensemble passages. His work across musicals including Ragtime, Anastasia, and Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet demonstrates a sophisticated approach to songwriting that draws from classical sensibilities while remaining deeply theatrical.
Why we love this
Kirby Shaw's arrangement preserves the emotional architecture of Flaherty's original while making the piece genuinely singable for mixed choirs without compromising the Broadway grandeur. The progression from hushed vowel sounds to full harmonic strength gives your singers a built-in journey, and the message lands harder when it's earned through careful dynamic control rather than instrumental accompaniment.
What to expect
The piece opens like a whisper finding its voice, moving from pure vowel sounds into a soaring assertion of human dignity and resilience. By the time the full harmony lands, listeners feel the weight of collective conviction, turning a Broadway moment into something that feels almost sacred.
Who it's for
This octavo works for intermediate to advanced high school or college choirs seeking a Broadway selection with genuine substance. It's particularly suited to ensembles that have developed comfort with a cappella singing and possess the breath control and intonation security needed to sustain long passages without harmonic drift.
How to get the most out of it
- Treat the opening 'ah' and 'oo' sections as the connective tissue between silence and song; keep the tone warm and unified across all four parts, resisting any urge to rush into the melody.
- Shape the harmonic build methodically, adding phrase by phrase rather than relying on sudden dynamic shifts to create momentum.
- Find the emotional truth in the text before worrying about blend; singers who understand what they're advocating for will naturally support each other.
- Balance the soprano line with careful attention to the inner voice harmonies, which carry much of the song's harmonic weight in the middle sections.
How to use it
Consider pairing this with other pieces that explore themes of social consciousness or human connection, creating a concert arc that celebrates both artistry and activism. It sits comfortably in spring or fall programming and provides a strong emotional centerpiece without requiring instrumental support or complex staging.
Skills your students will build
- Sustained vowel production in a cappella contexts
- Harmonic intonation through long passages without reference pitches
- Dynamic control that builds tension and release without relying on tempo changes
- Text interpretation that deepens ensemble unity
- Balancing inner voice independence with overall blend