Simple Gifts: SATB, a cappella Choral Octavo
Traditional Shaker Song / arr., with additional words, by Mark Burrows
Item: 00-PO-0006682
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Minimum order quantity: 20 copies
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Description
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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Additional Details
Series:
Alfred Choral Designs
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
12
SKU:
00-PO-0006682
More about this title
About the Arranger: Mark Burrows
Mark Burrows brings together his training in music education and conducting to create works that resonate with choirs at every level. His degrees from Southern Methodist University and Texas Christian University inform his understanding of how voices work together, and his experience directing children's ministries has deepened his gift for writing music that speaks to ensemble singers and audiences alike.
Burrows' compositions and arrangements appear regularly on state and festival lists, and his commissions span children's choirs, adult ensembles, and intergenerational festival groups. His music is published by major houses and continues to be performed across the country.
Why we love this
Burrows respects the integrity of this beloved melody while reinventing it for a contemporary mixed choir. Each voice part gets its moment with the tune, which keeps singers engaged and gives everyone ownership of the arrangement. The rhythmic vitality and the expanded text about loving, light, hopefulness, and truth make this feel fresh without losing the spiritual weight of the original.
What to expect
There's something both grounded and celebratory about this setting. The buoyant rhythm and the bright major tonality give it a forward-moving spirit, while the moments of musical suspense and the warm, slower section create breathing room. The final convergence into unison and then that resounding G major chord feels like everyone arriving together at something joyful.
Who it's for
This octavo works beautifully for mixed choirs seeking music that honors tradition while offering contemporary energy and accessibility. Adult community choirs, church choirs, and high school ensembles will find the a cappella writing manageable and rewarding, while the optional percussion parts add texture for groups that want to expand the arrangement.
How to get the most out of it
- Bring out the suspense in the opening measures by keeping the ensemble lean and focused; this makes the shift to the bright a cappella section land with real impact.
- Shape the rhythmic augmentation section with gentle vocal weight so it reads as a warm pause rather than a slowdown, then build momentum back into the vibrant final section.
- Balance the passing melody lines between voice parts so the tune remains audible even as voices support one another; mark your score where each part leads.
- Pay attention to the text painting in the expanded lyrics, particularly on words like 'light' and 'hopeful,' to bring intention to the arrangement's emotional arc.
How to use it
This arrangement fits naturally into a concert built around themes of hope, community, or peace. It pairs well with other folk or sacred music and works equally well as a standalone piece or as part of a thematic set. The joy and accessibility make it suitable for spring or festival concerts, and the spiritual undertones give it weight for more contemplative programming.
Skills your students will build
- Singing in SATB texture with independent melodic lines passing between voice parts
- Maintaining rhythmic precision in a cappella singing without instrumental support
- Vocal independence and listening within a mixed ensemble
- Performing rhythmic augmentation and variations on a familiar melody
- Building dynamic range and emotional expression within a single piece