My Old Kentucky Home: SSAA Choral Octavo
Words and music by Stephen Foster / arr. Mark Hayes
Item: 00-PO-0003688
$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: SSAA 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-0003688
More about this title
About the Composer: Stephen Foster
Stephen Foster (1826-1864) shaped American popular music during the mid-19th century through songs that captured the emotional landscape of his era. His prolific output ranged from parlor ballads to plantation songs, and his melodies became so deeply woven into American culture that many are now considered folk standards. Foster's gift for memorable melody and accessible harmony made his work ideal for amateur musicians and professional performers alike, a legacy that sustains his music in educational and concert settings today.
Why we love this
Mark Hayes' arrangement honors Foster's iconic melody while adding sophisticated harmonic support and a showstopping a cappella refrain that gives singers a moment to shine without accompaniment. The contrast between the accompanied verses and the shimmering final section creates a dramatic arc that audiences remember long after the concert ends. This is the kind of arrangement that makes community and school choirs sound polished without demanding virtuosic technique.
What to expect
The arrangement evokes nostalgia and Americana pageantry, grounded in Foster's unforgettable tune. When the a cappella moment arrives at the end, the texture shifts from warmth and support to crystalline clarity, creating an intimate moment that contrasts beautifully with the fuller accompanied setting.
Who it's for
This octavo works for upper-level high school choirs, college and university choirs, and accomplished community ensembles seeking accessible yet sophisticated repertoire. Singers benefit from the straightforward vocal ranges and Foster's singable melody, while directors appreciate an arrangement that builds ensemble skills without excessive complexity.
How to get the most out of it
- Balance the a cappella refrain carefully during rehearsal; mark individual entrance points so no voice part gets buried in the final shimmer.
- Shape the accompanied sections with clear phrasing tied to the lyrics, letting the piano or keyboard support the choir's line without dominating.
- Experiment with blend and vowel consistency during the a cappella sections, where the absence of accompaniment exposes every tuning choice.
How to use it
Position this as a concert closer or a centerpiece in a Americana-themed program where it can anchor a set of American songs or folk standards. The piece works equally well as a standalone showstopper or as part of a multi-composer exploration of 19th-century American vocal music.
Skills your students will build
- Balancing accompanied and a cappella textures
- Blending SSAA voicing with secure intonation
- Shaping lyrical phrases across traditional stanzas
- Transitioning between accompanied and unaccompanied singing