Sigh No More, Ladies: SSA Choral Octavo
Text from William Shakespeare’s "Much Ado About Nothing," music by Sally K. Albrecht
Item: 00-PO-0006519
$2.25
Minimum order quantity: 20 copies
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Description
Sally Albrecht has taken a famous text from Much Ado About Nothing and set it to a charming, original melody for SSA voices. The piece has a madrigal-like quality, complete with a "hey nonny, nonny" section. It's a light commentary on men who are "deceivers ever; one foot on sea and one on shore." Fresh choral writing for SSA groups of any age.
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Additional Details
Series:
Alfred Choral Designs
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
12
SKU:
00-PO-0006519
More about this title
About the Composer: Sally K. Albrecht
Sally K. Albrecht brings three decades of publishing expertise and conducting experience to her prolific choral output. A composer and clinician known especially for her innovative approaches to choral movement, she has accumulated over 600 published choral works and 75 larger theatrical pieces while maintaining an active presence as a guest conductor at major festivals including Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, and The Kennedy Center. Since 1987, she has been a consistent recipient of the ASCAP Special Music Award, recognizing her contributions to American choral music.
Albrecht's career spans both academic and publishing leadership roles. She earned her B.A. in Music and Theater from Rollins College, then continued her studies at the University of Miami, where she completed an M.A. in Drama and an M.M. in Accompanying. Her tenure as Director of School Choral, Vocal, and Elementary Publications at Alfred Music positioned her to shape choral education at a national level. Her leadership extends beyond music, including a term as Chair of the Board of Trustees for the Omicron Delta Kappa National Leadership Honor Society. In recent recognition, she received the Distinguished Alumna Award from both the University of Miami Frost School of Music and Rollins College in 2021.
Why we love this
Albrecht transforms Shakespeare's biting wit into something genuinely singable, giving SSA choirs a piece that feels both literary and theatrical without demanding unrealistic technical demands. The madrigal-like structure and the delightful 'hey nonny, nonny' section create natural moments for rhythmic precision and expressive clarity, making this as rewarding to conduct as it is to perform.
What to expect
Light and witty, with the charming artifice of a Renaissance madrigal meets contemporary sensibility. The music captures Beatrice's irreverent energy without demanding vocal pyrotechnics, settling instead into elegant, conversational counterpoint punctuated by moments of delightful musical mischief.
Who it's for
SSA choirs of any age looking for sophisticated yet approachable secular repertoire. Directors seeking pieces that honor literary texts while remaining practical for developing singers will find this especially valuable.
How to get the most out of it
- Shape the text delivery carefully during the commentary about men as deceivers; the humor lands when the sarcasm is precise and well-articulated by all three parts together.
- Balance the 'hey nonny, nonny' section so it feels playful rather than precious; this is where the madrigal spirit truly shines.
- Use the harmonic shifts to guide your phrasing; Albrecht's original melody often settles into unexpected cadences that reward sensitive ensemble listening.
How to use it
Pair this with other madrigals or secular choral works for a concert exploring how composers approach Shakespeare's text. It works equally well as a standalone piece that showcases your choir's ability to handle both literary sophistication and musical humor, or as part of a program celebrating women's voices in choral music.
Skills your students will build
- Madrigal-style counterpoint and part independence
- Text articulation and comic timing in ensemble singing
- Harmonic listening and intonation in unexpected cadential moments
- Understanding of how original melody serves poetic meaning