No Well, No Well! (Bring Some Water Jeannette, Isabella!): 3-Part Mixed Choral Octavo

A vaudeville sketch set to music. The piece captures desperation and comedy in equal measure, with the repeated cry for water from Jeannette and Isabella becoming an earworm that lingers long after the concert ends.

Choirs hunting for a novelty number that's actually fun to sing, not just fun to hear. This works for community choirs, school choirs, and church ensembles looking to surprise their audience without sacrificing musicality.

• Lean into the comedic timing. The narrative unfolds best when singers treat the desperation as real, making the humor land harder.
• Balance the SAB voicing so the story stays clear. Sopranos can carry the melodic line, but don't let altos and baritones drop into the background during the repeated plea.
• Use dynamic contrast to heighten the absurdity. Start the thirsty imagery with restraint, then build the urgency as the piece progresses.

Slot this in the second half of your holiday concert, right after something more serious. It breaks tension, engages the audience, and gives singers a chance to show their personality before ending on a rousing finale.

• Comic phrasing and character work in choral singing
• Maintaining clear diction during rapid text repetition
• Balancing ensemble blend while highlighting narrative voices
• Dynamic control across three-part mixed voicing