Secret Love: SATB Choral Octavo
Words by Paul Francis Webster, music by Sammy Fain / arr. Greg Jasperse
Item: 00-PO-0005549
$2.10
Minimum order quantity: 20 copies
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Description
This ACADEMY AWARD® winning ballad was originally featured in the film Calamity Jane starring Doris Day. This setting is filled with all the jazzy nuances you expect from the creative mind of Greg Jasperse. Optional repeats allow for scat or instrumental solos.
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Additional Details
Series:
Alfred Pop Choral Series
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
16
SKU:
00-PO-0005549
More about this title
About the Composer: Sammy Fain
Sammy Fain (1902-1989) was a prolific composer whose film scores and popular songs shaped American music across five decades. He earned four Academy Award nominations and won the Oscar for Best Original Song twice, including for "Secret Love." His gift lay in crafting memorable melodies that bridged classical sensibility and commercial appeal, making his work equally at home in concert halls and on the radio.
Why we love this
Greg Jasperse's arrangement captures the sophisticated swing and charm of this Oscar-winning melody while building in flexibility for your ensemble. The optional repeats create natural moments for scat or instrumental features, turning a ballad into an interactive performance that keeps singers and players equally engaged. The jazzy voicing and phrasing choices make this feel contemporary and fresh, not like a standard pop arrangement.
What to expect
Sophisticated yet unguarded, like sharing a confidence over drinks. The melody has the languid confidence of a classic standard, but Jasperse's harmonies add contemporary shimmer and swing. There's both refinement and easy charm throughout, never precious or overwrought.
Who it's for
Any SATB choir looking to expand into jazz and pop repertoire with a piece that has genuine musical substance behind the accessibility. This works equally well for high school choirs aiming to compete or concert choirs seeking crowd-pleasing material that doesn't sacrifice artistry.
How to get the most out of it
- Shape the opening phrases with subtle rubato; let the melody breathe rather than driving straight through. This ballad gains warmth from singers who listen to each other and adjust tempo slightly for effect.
- When assigning scat or instrumental solos during the optional repeats, ensure the accompaniment section maintains a confident groove underneath. The rhythm section's pocket makes or breaks the jazz feel.
- Balance the jazz harmonies by bringing out inner voice lines that might otherwise disappear. The four-part writing contains moving countermelody lines that add sophistication when heard clearly.
How to use it
Program this as a showcase moment in a pops or holiday concert, especially if you have strong soloists who can handle the featured sections. It pairs beautifully alongside other American songbook standards or as a bridge piece between classical and contemporary set, giving audiences a musical palate cleanser that still feels special.
Skills your students will build
- Jazz phrasing and swing rhythm interpretation
- Reading and interpreting rubato markings in ballad context
- Balancing chord voicings to showcase inner voice movement
- Ensemble listening and rhythmic flexibility in a non-metered style