My Old Kentucky Home: SATB Choral Octavo
Words and music by Stephen Foster / arr. Mark Hayes
Item: 00-PO-0003686
$1.90
Minimum order quantity: 20 copies
Pickup currently not available
Description
A shimmering a cappella refrain provides an especially memorable highlight at the end of Mark Hayes', otherwise accompanied, choral arrangement. Originally penned by the "Father of American Music," this beloved song has long been associated with the grand pageantry of the Kentucky Derby.
My Old Kentucky Home: SATB Choral Octavo isn't in MakeMusic Cloud just yet...but it could be. Let us know you'd like to see it, and you'll help shape what comes next. In the meantime, start a free trial and dive into thousands of interactive titles your students can play along with today.
Request This Title
Tell us you want it.
Start Your Free Trial
Explore everything that's ready to play right now.
Sample Audio
1
Audio File
--:--
0:00
0:00
Sample Video
Additional Details
Series:
Alfred Choral Designs
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
12
SKU:
00-PO-0003686
More about this title
About the Composer: Stephen Foster
Stephen Foster (1826-1864) shaped American music during a transformative period when concert music and folk traditions were beginning to merge. His gift for melody and his ability to capture the emotional life of ordinary people made him the most performed composer in the United States during his lifetime. Foster wrote over 200 songs, many of which became so embedded in American culture that their authorship has been largely forgotten by the general public.
Why we love this
Mark Hayes brings new light to this American standard by framing it with piano accompaniment and then pulling back entirely for a shimmering a cappella refrain that lands with real poignancy. The contrast between accompanied verses and unaccompanied closure gives your singers a moment to shine while keeping the arrangement fresh and modern in sensibility. This is the kind of imaginative reframing that makes familiar repertoire worth revisiting.
What to expect
Warm and nostalgic, with the kind of melodic inevitability that makes people hum along. The a cappella moment strips away accompaniment and exposes the heart of the song, creating intimacy and clarity that can catch an audience off guard in the best way.
Who it's for
SATB choirs looking for accessible, singable arrangements of beloved American repertoire. This works equally well for community choirs, school ensembles at intermediate to advanced levels, and church music programs seeking secular material with strong cultural resonance.
How to get the most out of it
- Balance the blend carefully during the accompanied sections; the piano part should support rather than dominate the vocal lines.
- Approach the a cappella refrain with special attention to intonation and blend, since there is no harmonic reference to anchor the singers.
- Use the shift from accompanied to unaccompanied material as a dramatic moment; allow a brief breath or lift to signal the transition and heighten awareness.
How to use it
Include this on a concert celebrating American musical heritage, or pair it with other Foster arrangements to create a thematic set. Its accessibility and emotional directness make it an excellent choice for an all-ages audience or a program that bridges classical and popular traditions.
Skills your students will build
- Blending and balancing within SATB texture
- Unaccompanied singing and intonation without harmonic reference
- Phrasing and interpretation of familiar melodic material
- Contrasting accompanied and a cappella singing styles