River Run: 2-Part/SSA Choral Octavo

Name: River Run: 2-Part/SSA Choral Octavo
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 00-11331
Price: 2.25 USD
Availability: InStock

Music by Carl Strommen

Item: 00-11331

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This gently flowing choral work by Carl Strommen evokes all the mysteries of a river flowing "homeward bound to the sea." Includes several optional solos or small group sections. All parts have an opportunity to sing the lovely melody. Carl Strommen's choral writing and meaningful texts have charmed conductors and singers for years. Don't miss it!

Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, River Run: 2-Part/SSA Choral Octavo comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.

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Series: Alfred Archive Edition: Alfred Choral Designs

Publisher: Alfred Music

Page Count: 8

UPC: 038081023847

SKU: 00-11331

More about this title

About the Composer: Carl Strommen

Carl Strommen stands among the most frequently performed composer-arrangers working in concert music today. His works appear regularly on concert stages, in television productions, and film soundtracks across the country and internationally. Strommen has built a reputation for music that resonates with both performers and audiences, earning him consistent recognition through the ASCAP Standard Writers Award and ongoing demand as a clinician and commission composer.

A graduate of the City College of New York, Strommen remains connected to the academic world as an adjunct professor of orchestration and composition at C.W. Post Campus of Long Island University. His compositional voice spans band, orchestra, jazz ensemble, and vocal literature, reflecting a deep understanding of what each medium requires. Strommen and his family divide their time between Long Island and Colorado.

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Why we love this

Strommen writes with the rehearsal room in mind. The optional solos and small group sections give singers at every level a moment to shine while keeping the piece accessible for ensembles with mixed vocal confidence. The imagery of a river flowing homeward creates a natural arc that feels organic rather than imposed, making this a satisfying piece to prepare and perform.

What to expect

River Run unfolds with calm, flowing motion. There's a sense of journey and destination woven throughout, supported by text that invites singers to imagine water moving toward home. The piece breathes gently, creating space for reflection rather than demanding virtuosity.

Who it's for

This octavo works well for middle school, high school, and adult choirs seeking a piece with genuine lyricism and accessible ranges. The flexible voicing of 2-Part and SSA allows directors to adjust for changing enrollment or mixed ability levels within the same rehearsal.

How to get the most out of it

Shape the melody phrases as if following water's natural path; avoid static dynamic levels even in the gentler sections.
Feature the optional solos or small group passages strategically during rehearsal so singers hear how these moments land within the larger texture.
Balance the part distribution so all singers feel ownership of the main tune, especially important when rotating who carries the melody across 2-Part and SSA voicings.

How to use it

This pairs naturally with other contemplative or nature-themed literature in a concert program. Use it as a moment of repose following a more energetic work, or program it in a set of pieces exploring migration, journey, or home. Its modest range and performance requirements make it an excellent choice for a spring concert or ensemble showcase.

Skills your students will build

Singing with lyrical phrasing and breath awareness in a folk-influenced style
Managing transitions between 2-Part and SSA textures while maintaining ensemble blend
Balancing solo or small group passages with full ensemble sections
Interpreting text imagery (river, homeward) as a guide for musical expression