Rhythm of the Rain: 2-Part Choral Octavo
Music by Jerry Estes
Item: 00-PO-0003128
$2.50
Minimum order quantity: 20 copies
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Description
Unique 2-part choral work is accompanied by percussion and Orff-style instruments or piano. Repetitive, like falling rain, and develops with countermelodies. This title is available in MakeMusic Cloud.
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Additional Details
Series:
Alfred Choral Designs
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
12
SKU:
00-PO-0003128
Instrumentation:
Opt. Percussion
More about this title
About the Composer: Jerry Estes
Jerry Estes brings classroom experience directly into his compositions. A vocal music educator at Wydown Middle School where he teaches grades 6-8, Estes holds a B.M.E. in vocal emphasis from Southwest Baptist University and an M.M. from Southern Illinois University, grounding his work in solid pedagogical training.
Active in MENC and ASCAP, Estes writes music that speaks to the needs of young singers. His pieces balance accessibility with musical substance, drawing on his daily work with middle school choirs to create repertoire that engages students while building their skills.
Why we love this
Estes captures something genuinely poetic here without overshooting the capabilities of a 2-part choir. The repetitive rain-like texture creates a meditative quality that middle schoolers can actually sustain, while the emerging countermelodies keep the piece from becoming static. It's rare to find secular repertoire at this level that feels both contemplative and musically rewarding to sing.
What to expect
Calm and introspective, like standing still in light rain. The texture gradually deepens as countermelodies layer in, creating a sense of quiet complexity that feels organic rather than forced.
Who it's for
Middle school choirs developing musicality and blend form the ideal audience for this piece. It works equally well for younger high school singers still building confidence in part-singing or for community and adult choirs seeking accessible secular repertoire with genuine artistic depth.
How to get the most out of it
- Shape the repetitive figures so they suggest the gentle persistence of falling rain rather than sounding mechanical. Slight dynamic swell within each phrase keeps the texture alive.
- Balance the two parts carefully when countermelodies enter. The secondary line should support rather than compete with the primary melody.
- Work with your percussionists or pianist to establish a steady, unrushed pulse. The accompaniment should feel inevitable, not driven.
- Emphasize clarity of vowels throughout the repeated sections. Vowel consistency prevents the repetition from muddying and helps the piece project.
How to use it
Program this as a moment of reflective contrast in a concert mixing energy and stillness. It pairs naturally with other weather-themed or nature-inspired pieces, or use it to open a second half and reset the room's attention. The optional percussion and Orff instruments invite instrumental students to participate meaningfully alongside singers.
Skills your students will build
- sustaining a single melodic line without wavering
- listening for and maintaining a secondary part while another part dominates
- blending tone across a two-part texture
- collaborating with accompaniment (instrumental or keyboard) to support rather than overshadow the vocal line