Snow Is Falling Still: 2-Part Choral Octavo

$2.25 USD

Snow Is Falling Still: 2-Part Choral Octavo

Name: Snow Is Falling Still: 2-Part Choral Octavo
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 00-20136
Price: 2.25 USD
Availability: InStock

A Partner Song with "Still, Still, Still"

Arranged, with additional words and music, by Mary Donnelly and George L. O. Strid

Item: 00-20136

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Partner songs are always fine choices for young choirs, and this is one by Mary Donnelly and George Strid is one of the best. The lilting melody of the traditional Still, Still, Still is perfectly paired with a charming new melody. It's a lovely wintertime text that's as perfect in December as it is in a February concert. Easy piano and optional fluteare included in the publication. The gentle SoundTrax CD will complement your singers without overpowering them.

Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Snow Is Falling Still: 2-Part Choral Octavo comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.

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Series: Alfred Archive Edition: Alfred Choral Designs

Publisher: Alfred Music

Page Count: 12

UPC: 038081187006

SKU: 00-20136

More about this title

About the Composer: Mary Donnelly

Mary Donnelly grew up in Reno, Nevada, and studied English and French at the University of Nevada before discovering her passion for music education. She returned to school to earn certification and a Master's Degree in Education from Lesley College, where she focused on integrating the arts across the curriculum. Over thirty years, she taught general music and choir in the Washoe County schools, drawing on her deep background in both language and music.

In 1985, Donnelly partnered with George Strid when their principal asked them to co-write a musical for Reading Week at their school. That collaboration sparked a prolific writing partnership that has produced more than two hundred songs and twenty-five musicals. Both are active members of ACDA, and Donnelly holds memberships in NEA and ASCAP.

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Why we love this

Donnelly and Strid have crafted a partner song that sounds far more sophisticated than its easy grade level. The traditional melody remains instantly recognizable while the new countermelody adds genuine harmonic interest without creating balance or intonation challenges that trip up developing choirs. Winter repertoire this engaging and musically substantial is rare at the 2-part level.

What to expect

Serene and nostalgic, this arrangement captures the quiet magic of winter without sentimentality. The traditional melody carries warmth and familiarity, while the new countermelody adds gentle surprise. Together they create a soft, shimmering texture that feels both simple and elegant.

Who it's for

Young choirs ready to tackle partner songs with confidence. Singers need secure pitch and the ability to maintain their line independently, but no advanced technique or sight-reading skill is required. This works equally well in elementary choirs with older students or middle school programs seeking accessible but musically substantial winter material.

How to get the most out of it

Allow singers to learn each melodic line separately before combining. The traditional tune may feel obvious to some singers, but the new melody requires careful attention; giving each part independent security before blending prevents the new line from getting buried.
Balance the voices so both melodies remain audible. The traditional tune has melodic momentum that can easily dominate; have your part 2 singers sing with clear intention and consistent support, especially where harmonies might make their line feel less primary.
Shape the phrases with the text's imagery in mind. The "falling still" of snow invites gentle, sustained breath and legato singing; avoid letting the lilting rhythm become bouncy or overly rhythmic.
Use the SoundTrax accompaniment in rehearsal to establish the harmonic context, but gradually reduce reliance on it as singers internalize their parts and feel the chord changes beneath them.

How to use it

Program this in December concerts as a gentle contrast to more rhythmic holiday fare, or save it for winter pops and February programs when freshness matters more than holiday tradition. Its accessible difficulty and short length make it ideal for opening a concert or as a palate-cleanser between heavier choral works.

Skills your students will build

Maintaining an independent melodic line while hearing a different melody simultaneously
Blending two different melodies into unified harmonic texture
Singing with legato phrasing and sustained tone
Reading and performing parallel motion and harmony
Responding to text imagery through dynamic and tonal shaping