Make Them Hear You: SSA, a cappella Choral Octavo
from Ragtime
Lyrics by Lynn Ahrens, music by Stephen Flaherty / arr. Kirby Shaw
Item: 00-PO-0006047
$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-0006047
More about this title
About the Composer: Stephen Flaherty
Stephen Flaherty composed the score for Ragtime alongside lyricist Lynn Ahrens, creating one of Broadway's most emotionally resonant musicals. His gift for soaring, character-driven melody has defined his work across stage and film, earning him Tony and Grammy recognition for compositions that balance accessibility with genuine theatrical weight.
Why we love this
Kirby Shaw's arrangement captures the building emotional intensity of the original without requiring a pit band, making this genuinely singable for school and community choirs while preserving the song's power. The strategic use of unison and harmonic layering means you can cast this flexibly, thinner voicing works, but fuller sections create that wall of sound the piece demands. It's the rare contemporary Broadway selection that works as both a concert closer and a moment of real artistic substance.
What to expect
The piece unfolds like a quiet awakening. Ethereal voices blend into luminous sustained tones before a soaring melody cuts through, layered voice by voice until something genuinely transcendent emerges. There's urgency underneath the beauty, a call wrapped in harmony.
Who it's for
SSA choirs with access to a strong soprano section and intermediate-to-advanced musicianship. This works well for groups comfortable with sustained a cappella singing and ready to tackle contemporary Broadway repertoire with emotional maturity.
How to get the most out of it
- Shape the opening 'ah' and 'oo' vocalise as atmospheric foundation rather than main event; treat it as sonic architecture that supports the melody's entrance.
- Keep the soprano line floating above the harmonic texture throughout, especially as the arrangement thickens. This prevents the piece from becoming murky as you build.
- Mark phrase endpoints clearly in rehearsal so singers don't anticipate the climax. The gradual build works only if each section stretches into its designated space.
- Balance vulnerability with conviction in the text delivery. The lyrics carry social weight, so encourage singers to inhabit the meaning as the harmony swells around them.
How to use it
Reserve this for a concert moment when you want to shift emotional temperature and remind listeners why choral music matters. It pairs naturally with other contemporary choral selections or as a standalone statement piece on a program mixing genres.
Skills your students will build
- Building and sustaining layered a cappella textures without instrumental support
- Blending vowel sounds ('ah' and 'oo') across an entire section
- Phrasing contemporary lyrics with theatrical awareness and musical intent
- Maintaining intonation through gradual dynamic and harmonic expansion