My Old Kentucky Home: SAB Choral Octavo
Words and music by Stephen Foster / arr. Mark Hayes
Item: 00-PO-0003687
$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: SAB 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
No sample videos found.
Additional Details
Series:
Alfred Choral Designs
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
12
SKU:
00-PO-0003687
More about this title
About the Composer: Stephen Foster
Stephen Foster (1826–1864) shaped American popular music during the 19th century through songs that became the foundation of the nation's musical identity. His melodies captured the spirit of American life, from parlor songs to folk traditions, and his work influenced generations of composers who followed.
Why we love this
Mark Hayes's arrangement honors Foster's timeless melody while adding sophisticated harmonic color and a stunning unaccompanied refrain that gives your singers a moment to shine. The mix of accompanied verses and shimmering a cappella sections creates natural dynamic contrast without requiring additional musicians, making this both musically satisfying and practical for most choral budgets.
What to expect
Warm and reflective, with the comfort of a familiar American melody wrapped in gentle harmonic sophistication. The unaccompanied refrain floats like a memory, intimate and crystalline, before the accompaniment returns to ground the moment.
Who it's for
SAB choirs with singers who have foundational pitch control and the ability to sustain blend in unaccompanied singing. The arrangement suits high school choirs, community ensembles, and college-level singers seeking a song with genuine historical roots and accessible voice parts.
How to get the most out of it
- Balance the three parts carefully in the a cappella refrain; the upper two voices should blend as a unified harmonic unit while the lower part provides clear support without dominating.
- Use the accompanied sections to establish the song's gentle, nostalgic character, then pull back slightly in dynamic intensity when transitioning to the unaccompanied passage to let the voices resonate cleanly.
- Shape phrases through subtle tempo and breath placement rather than sudden dynamic shifts; the elegance of this arrangement lies in its restraint.
- If rehearsal time is limited, prioritize the a cappella refrain, since that's where the arrangement's distinctive character lives and where pitch security matters most.
How to use it
Slot this into programs celebrating American music, historical themes, or spring concerts where a reflective, lyrical moment balances faster or more dramatic repertoire. Its three-part voicing and moderate length make it ideal for mixed-voice choirs that want to include pieces accessible to developing singers without sacrificing musical substance.
Skills your students will build
- Sustaining pitch and blend in a cappella singing
- Responding to harmonic context and part independence
- Managing the transition between accompanied and unaccompanied sections
- Shaping lyrical phrases with minimal dynamic variation