Now Is the Month of Maying!: SATB, a cappella Choral Octavo

Kirby Shaw's arrangement preserves the integrity of a Renaissance masterwork while making it resonate with contemporary choirs. The original counterpoint remains front and center, but the added rhythmic refrain and shaker part give the piece forward momentum and a clearly defined structure that singers find gratifying to execute. This is the kind of arrangement that earns standing ovations at festivals because it sounds both historically grounded and musically fresh.

Spring arrives in voices. The piece dances forward with Renaissance charm and modern energy, alternating between moments of intricate vocal interweaving and bright, rhythmically propulsive sections that feel almost celebratory. Singers experience both the intellectual satisfaction of singing counterpoint and the physical pleasure of moving together as one ensemble.

This octavo works for high school choirs, college ensembles, and adult groups seeking accessible Renaissance repertoire with contemporary appeal. Directors assembling festival or concert programs will find a piece that challenges ensemble musicianship (intonation, balance, blend) without requiring instrumental accompaniment or complex staging.

• Attend closely to the dance-like rhythmic character of the refrain sections. These moments should feel lighter and more propulsive than the madrigal portions, giving singers a clear tonal and stylistic shift to execute.
• Balance the shaker part carefully. It should support the ensemble without becoming a percussive distraction; think of it as a gentle anchor rather than a driving pulse.
• Shape the original madrigal passages with attention to text inflection and phrase breathing. The counterpoint should sing naturally, not sound mathematically precise.
• Spend rehearsal time on the transitions between the refrain and madrigal sections. Ensure the ensemble recognizes these structural moments and can navigate them with musical conviction.

Program this as a lively centerpiece in a set exploring Renaissance secular music, or use it as a contrast piece following something slower and more harmonically dense. Its a cappella format and modest page count make it ideal for both concert performances and festival competitions where you want music that demonstrates ensemble sophistication without lengthy stage setup.

• Reading and executing Renaissance counterpoint in four parts
• Tuning major and minor intervals within moving vocal lines
• Blend and balance across changing harmonic densities
• Stylistic flexibility between madrigal and refrain textures
• Rhythmic precision and ensemble synchronization with a simple percussion part