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Music Gives: SSA Choral Octavo

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Music Gives: SSA Choral Octavo

Music Gives: SSA Choral Octavo

Words from Traditional Latin and Plato, music by Mark Burrows

Item: 00-51215

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Description
"Music gives . . . life to everything." Powerful words by Plato are given a contemporary sound in this buoyant piece by Mark Burrows. Soaring with radiant energy, it uses colorful harmonies and a driving 3/4 meter to extol the virtues of music. A central chant-like section sets the familiar phrase "Where words fail, music speaks" in Latin. Highly recommended for concert, contest, or festival.

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Additional Details
Series: Alfred Choral Designs
Publisher: Alfred Music
Page Count: 12
UPC: 038081582542
SKU: 00-51215

More about this title

About the Composer: Mark Burrows

Mark Burrows

Mark Burrows has established himself as a prolific composer whose works appear regularly on state and festival repertoire lists. His commissions span the full spectrum of choral ensembles, from children's choirs to adult groups to intergenerational festival choirs, reflecting the versatility and accessibility of his compositional voice.

Burrows holds degrees in music education from Southern Methodist University and in conducting from Texas Christian University. He serves as Director of Children's Ministries at FUMC in Fort Worth, Texas, where he resides with his family.

Why we love this

Burrows captures something vital in this piece: the intersection of classical wisdom and contemporary choral writing. The shift to Latin for the meditative center creates a structural and textural contrast that gives singers something genuinely memorable to perform, while the SSA voicing and energetic 3/4 meter keep the overall effect fresh and accessible for festival and concert contexts alike.

What to expect

Radiant and purposeful, this piece radiates optimism without sentimentality. The driving 3/4 pulse propels the music forward with genuine energy, while the meditative Latin section offers a moment of quiet reflection that deepens the overall impact.

Who it's for

This piece works beautifully for treble choirs of all ages, from high school through adult ensembles. The SSA voicing and moderate technical demands make it accessible, while the concert-appropriate message and sophisticated harmonies appeal to serious choral programs.

How to get the most out of it

  • Shape the opening to let the text breathe initially, then gradually build into the buoyant energy. The piece gains momentum, not through constant loudness, but through the accumulation of rhythmic and harmonic texture.
  • Balance the soaring outer voices in the treble range without losing the harmonic foundation. The colorful harmonies depend on all three parts being heard distinctly.
  • Approach the Latin chant section with clarity and unity. This moment serves as the emotional and philosophical heart of the piece, so precision in rhythm and pronunciation will enhance its power.
  • Use recorded accompaniment to lock in the driving 3/4 feel if available, allowing singers to focus on blend and phrase shaping rather than fighting the meter.

How to use it

This works superbly as a concert opener or closing number, where its message of music's power can frame your program meaningfully. Its festival-ready quality and contest credentials make it equally at home on a competitive schedule, and the Plato quotation offers natural programming alongside other contemporary secular works.

Skills your students will build

  • Singing in 3/4 meter with consistent rhythmic precision
  • Balancing three independent SSA lines while maintaining harmonic blend
  • Approaching Latin text with appropriate diction and clarity
  • Transitioning between contrasting textures (energetic to chant-like sections) while maintaining musical continuity

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