Purple Cow: 2-Part Choral Octavo
Words by Gelett Burgess, music by Erik Whitehill
Item: 00-PO-0007802
$2.40
Minimum order quantity: 20 copies
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Description
This nifty novelty adds madrigal-like music to a nonsensical poem from the Gilded Age. In just a few playful lines, the words invite us to ponder the extraordinary and embrace the silly. Its quirky charm reminds us that life is more fun when we celebrate the unexpected. Delightfully polyphonic in both voicings, this well-conceived teaching piece features independent voice parts that add more layers with each repeat.
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Additional Details
Series:
Alfred Choral Designs
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
8
SKU:
00-PO-0007802
More about this title
About the Composer: Erik Whitehill
Erik Whitehill studied music education at Luther College in Iowa and has spent nearly two decades teaching general music and choir in the Tempe Elementary School District. His leadership in the district includes roles as chairperson for general music and elementary choir, reflecting his deep commitment to building strong foundational programs.
Whitehill's work centers on creating new music for choirs and musical theater, bringing contemporary compositions into classrooms and rehearsal spaces. An Orff-certified instructor and active member of the Arizona Orff chapter, he has presented at regional conferences and received multiple recognitions, including the Arizona State University Outstanding Mentor Teacher Award (2012). His compositions appear through Heritage Music Press, Choristers Guild, Augsburg Fortress, Handbell Musicians of America, and Alfred.
Why we love this
Whitehill captures the spirit of playful irreverence while building real musicianship. The polyphonic independence between the two parts rewards careful listening and part-singing without requiring advanced vocal ranges, making it ideal for upper elementary and middle school choirs discovering the joy of blended harmony.
What to expect
Lighthearted and deliberately unpretentious, this piece invites singers into a world where unusual ideas are not just tolerated but celebrated. The madrigal-like writing creates a sense of intimate collaboration between voices while the Gilded Age text lands with delightful absurdity.
Who it's for
This octavo works beautifully for upper elementary through middle school choirs seeking accessible yet genuinely musical repertoire. It also serves high school and community choirs looking for a thoughtful novelty piece that doesn't sacrifice compositional craft for humor.
How to get the most out of it
- Emphasize the text's whimsical tone in your rehearsal approach; singers should smile through the nonsensical imagery and let the silliness live in their voices rather than overexplaining the poem.
- Shape each repeat with growing textural interest, allowing singers to hear how the additional layers of polyphony transform the musical landscape without disrupting the overall playfulness.
- Balance the two voice parts carefully so that neither dominates; the charm depends on both lines remaining equally clear and engaging as they weave together.
How to use it
Place this as a concert opener or closer to anchor a thematic program about poetry, humor in music, or unexpected beauty. Its accessible length and straightforward teaching demands make it valuable for festival competitions where judges appreciate musicality paired with genuine engagement.
Skills your students will build
- Two-part polyphonic reading and part independence
- Maintaining musical independence while blending with another line
- Expressive interpretation of text with contrasting vocal qualities
- Awareness of how structural repetition creates musical development