My Cat Skittle: Unison Choral Octavo

Lighthearted and observant. The piece captures something genuinely charming about cats and their mysteries, delivered with musical warmth rather than cutesy over-the-top affect. It's the kind of song that stays with singers and audiences alike.

Any choir looking for a secular octavo that entertains without insulting the musicians' intelligence. This works equally well for middle school choirs seeking repertoire with personality and high school groups wanting a palate cleanser in a concert program.

• Shape the melodic line with intentional phrasing rather than letting it settle into a singsong delivery; treat Skittle's story with the same attention you'd give any character piece
• Establish clear diction from the first rehearsal, especially if the text relies on any playful wordplay or imagery that needs to land with the audience
• Use the unison texture as an opportunity to build ensemble blend and intonation awareness; small numbers make pitch issues very audible

Slot this after a more serious work to shift the concert's energy and engage your audience's sense of humor. It also pairs well with other character or narrative-driven pieces if you're building a thematic concert around animals, pets, or domestic life.

• Sustaining legit phrasing in a simple melodic line
• Text expression and storytelling through music
• Ensemble blend and intonation in unison singing