Skipping Stones: PianoTrax Digital Download

$9.99 USD

Skipping Stones: PianoTrax Digital Download

Words and music by Andy Beck

Item: 00-A-00016472

$9.99

Digital Download

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Series: Alfred Choral Designs

Publisher: Alfred Music

UPC: 0

SKU: 00-A-00016472

More about this title

About the Composer: Andy Beck

Andy Beck leads choral publications at Alfred Music and has composed and arranged more than 450 choral works now in active performance. His vocal resources—including the widely adopted sight-singing series Sing at First Sight, Foundations in Choral Sight Singing, and Vocalize! 45 Vocal Warm-Ups That Teach Technique—shape how singers across the country develop foundational skills. A trained tenor with degrees in Music Education from Ithaca College and Northwest Missouri State University, Beck maintains an active performance life with the North Carolina Master Chorale Chamber Choir and has recorded as a studio vocalist for Alfred Music since 1992.

Beck's influence extends far beyond publication. He guest conducts honor choirs of all ages, adjudicates festivals throughout the Southeast and beyond, and serves as a clinician for music educators nationwide. His work as a commissioned composer for all-state and regional ensembles reflects deep engagement with current choral pedagogy and the realities of school music programs. This hands-on knowledge of what works in rehearsal and performance informs every piece he writes.

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Why we love this

Beck's gift for writing accessible yet musically engaging material shines in this two-part piece. The PianoTrax accompaniment gives singers a secure harmonic foundation without overwhelming them, making this especially valuable for developing choirs that need clear support. It's the kind of piece that sounds polished after just a few rehearsals, building student confidence while teaching real musicianship.

What to expect

Light and engaging, with a natural flow that invites singers into genuine musicmaking. The accompaniment moves expressively beneath the choral line, creating textural interest while keeping the focus on the singers' voices.

Who it's for

Middle school and high school choirs of mixed or treble voicing, especially groups working on two-part writing and harmonic independence. It works equally well for community choirs, youth choirs, and high school choirs seeking literature that builds confidence without requiring extensive vocal range or technical demands.

How to get the most out of it

Balance the two parts clearly during rehearsal; use the piano accompaniment to reinforce each line separately before combining them.
Shape the melody with purposeful phrasing rather than singing straight through; listen for the natural breathing points Beck has built into the piece.
Let the accompaniment anchor the harmonic foundation; singers can focus fully on diction and expression knowing the piano has their backs.
Adjust tempo slightly if needed to accommodate your singers' reading level, but maintain the character and forward motion Beck intends.

How to use it

Pair this with other Beck compositions in a spring concert to showcase accessible, well-crafted choral writing; it also works as a solid contrast piece between longer or more demanding selections. Use it mid-season when singers have developed reading confidence but still benefit from straightforward material that builds part independence.