Simple Gifts: SATB, a cappella Choral Octavo

Name: Simple Gifts: SATB, a cappella Choral Octavo
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 00-48899
Price: 2.05 USD
Availability: InStock

Traditional Shaker Song / arr., with additional words, by Mark Burrows

Item: 00-48899

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This creative arrangement of the well-known Shaker song passes the traditional tune to every voice part, using the others to support the buoyant melody. Scored for a mixed choir with congas, claves, and maracas, Mark's setting opens with a bit of suspense that soon breaks into a bright a cappella feature. Some rhythmic augmentation provides a warm center before returning to the vibrant feel. Fans will note a few additional lyrics that celebrate "the gift to be loving, light, hopeful, and true." A final flourish fans out from the only unison measure into a resounding G major chord.

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Series: Alfred Choral Designs

Publisher: Alfred Music

Page Count: 12

UPC: 038081562230

SKU: 00-48899

More about this title

About the Arranger: Mark Burrows

Mark Burrows composes and conducts music that regularly appears on state and festival repertoire lists. His arrangements and original works have been commissioned by children's choirs, adult ensembles, and intergenerational festival groups across the country, and his music is distributed through major publishing houses.

Burrows studied music education at Southern Methodist University and earned a graduate degree in conducting from Texas Christian University. He serves as Director of Children's Ministries at FUMC in Fort Worth, Texas, where he lives with his family.

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Why we love this

Burrows resists the urge to over-arrange this beloved tune; instead, he lets the Shaker melody shine across every voice part while the supporting harmonies stay purposeful and light. The inclusion of percussion and the additional lyrics about loving, light, hopeful, and true singing add warmth and meaning without cluttering the piece. Directors will appreciate how accessible the writing is while still offering moments of real musical sophistication, especially the rhythmic augmentation that settles the energy midway through.

What to expect

The arrangement opens with intrigue before blooming into brightness and generosity. The a cappella writing feels buoyant and conversational as the melody passes from voice to voice, and the middle section offers a moment of gentle reflection that deepens the message of the text.

Who it's for

Mixed choirs seeking fresh arrangements of familiar sacred material will find this accessible yet musically interesting. The piece works equally well for concert and festival settings and engages singers across experience levels.

How to get the most out of it

Balance the opening a cappella feature so the melody voice carries clearly while the supporting voices create lift rather than weight; this sets up the brightness Burrows intends.
Shape the rhythmic augmentation section as a moment of introspection and cohesion; pull back slightly on tempo and dynamic to let the warm harmonic center land.
Treat the final unison measure as a unified breath before fanning into the G major chord; this creates the flourish effect and gives the resolution its impact.

How to use it

Program this as a standalone concert piece or pair it with other folk or sacred arrangements to create a thematic set. The peace and brotherhood theme makes it suitable for programs centered on community, gratitude, or spiritual reflection.

Skills your students will build

Singing independent voice parts while maintaining awareness of melodic line passing across the ensemble
Shaping phrase contours in a cappella settings without instrumental support
Balancing blend and balance in mixed voicing
Interpreting rhythmic augmentation to communicate musical meaning