Midwinter's Chill: SATB Choral Octavo
Words and music by Greg Gilpin
Item: 00-PO-0000589
$1.75
Minimum order quantity: 20 copies
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Description
Artistic from start to finish, each of the varied sections of this Gilpin original captures the essence of wintertime. The expressive rubatos, the rich poetry, and the well-placed dissonances will accentuate and cultivate the musicianship of your group. "All the world, cold and still, hides in slumber from the chill."
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Additional Details
Series:
Alfred Choral Designs
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
12
SKU:
00-PO-0000589
More about this title
About the Composer: Greg Gilpin
Greg Gilpin stands among today's most prolific choral composers, earning ASCAP recognition for his contributions to the field. His conducting career has taken him across prestigious venues including Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Ryman Auditorium, the Sydney Opera House, Royal Festival Hall, and Harpa Concert Hall, establishing him as a respected interpreter of choral literature on an international scale.
Beyond composition and conducting, Gilpin serves as Director of Educational Choral Publications for Shawnee Press and maintains active involvement in the recording industry as a producer and musician. His creative reach extends to film scoring, including an award-winning original score for the short film "Rosie's Rescue" in 2021. A Life Loyal Member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia and active member of ACDA and NAfME, Gilpin remains committed to advancing choral music education and artistry.
Why we love this
Gilpin's gift for text painting combined with his sophisticated harmonic language makes this a standout choice for choirs ready to expand their interpretive range. The varied sectional structure prevents monotony while the expressive rubatos and strategic dissonances reward singers who commit to musical detail, making rehearsal genuinely engaging rather than rote.
What to expect
The piece unfolds like a winter landscape emerging from darkness: sections shift between stillness and subtle movement, with rich harmonic colors creating an atmosphere both contemplative and emotionally resonant. Singers will feel the weight of careful dissonance and the freedom of rubato, experiencing music that demands both technical precision and interpretive sensitivity.
Who it's for
This octavo suits intermediate to advanced SATB choirs with developed intonation and the ability to balance expressive phrasing against structural clarity. It works equally well for concert choirs seeking sophisticated secular material and for smaller chamber ensembles looking for artistic depth.
How to get the most out of it
- Shape the rubatos as a unified group by isolating these passages in rehearsal and establishing clear breath points where flexibility is intended. This prevents the expressive moments from feeling indulgent or disjointed.
- Highlight the poetry through careful dynamic shaping within each phrase; Gilpin's word-painting thrives when singers understand the literal and emotional meaning of the text before committing to technique.
- Prepare the dissonances by drilling harmonic sonorities slowly and in isolation, building confidence so singers can maintain tone quality and intonation even during moments of harmonic tension.
- Let the winter imagery guide your vocal color; a slightly cooler, more reserved tone throughout captures the chill and stillness the piece evokes, distinguishing it from warmer seasonal repertoire.
How to use it
Position this as a centerpiece of a winter concert, pairing it with contrasting seasonal works to showcase its introspective character. The sophisticated harmonic language and expressive demands make it particularly effective late in a program when audiences are fully engaged.
Skills your students will build
- Balancing harmonic intonation within dissonant passages
- Executing expressive rubato as an ensemble without sacrificing rhythmic cohesion
- Interpreting text through dynamic and tonal shaping
- Sustaining musical line through sectional shifts and varied harmonic colors