Something Told the Wild Geese: SATB Choral Octavo
Words by Rachel Field, music and additional words by Andy Beck
Item: 00-PO-0003682
$2.05
Minimum order quantity: 20 copies
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Description
A stark fifth in the piano represents a chill in the air and frames the opening of this sensitive setting of the popular Rachel Field poem. Nuanced dynamics, tempi, and phrasing invite expressive singing. A resplendent chorus, featuring additional wintertime words, breaks into lush harmony.
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Sample Audio
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Additional Details
Series:
Alfred Choral Designs
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
8
SKU:
00-PO-0003682
More about this title
About the Composer: Andy Beck
Andy Beck serves as Director of Choral Publications at Alfred Music and has established himself as one of today's most performed composers in choral music. With over 450 choral works, vocal resources, and children's musicals in print, Beck's music reaches singers at every level across the globe. He brings deep pedagogical insight to his writing, evident in influential choral resources like Sing at First Sight, Foundations in Choral Sight Singing, and Vocalize! 45 Vocal Warm-Ups That Teach Technique.
Beyond the printed page, Beck maintains an active presence in music education as a guest conductor, clinician, and adjudicator throughout the United States and internationally. He has served as commissioned composer and guest conductor for honor choirs and all-state groups, particularly in the Southeast. A trained tenor with a Bachelor's degree in Music Education from Ithaca College and a Master's degree from Northwest Missouri State University, Beck continues to perform in musical theatre and chamber ensembles while cultivating Alfred's choral catalog with meticulous attention to artistry and craft.
Why we love this
Beck's gift for translating poetry into singable, expressive lines shows throughout this setting. The sparse piano opening creates immediate atmosphere, and the harmonic movement feels inevitable rather than predictable, rewarding careful preparation with genuine emotional payoff. It's the kind of piece that reminds singers why they chose to sing in the first place.
What to expect
The piece captures the quiet moment when autumn turns toward winter, when change is felt before it's fully seen. A sense of gentle melancholy pervades the opening, then deepens into something richer and more resonant as the full choir enters. There's beauty in restraint here, and power in simplicity.
Who it's for
SATB choirs with solid fundamentals and the ability to sustain expressive singing through dynamic and tempo shifts. This works well for concert and festival programming, particularly ensembles looking for thoughtful, accessible repertoire that doesn't sacrifice musical sophistication.
How to get the most out of it
- Shape the opening phrases with restraint; let the stark fifth in the piano establish the chill before voices enter. Resist the urge to oversell the text early on.
- Honor the nuanced dynamic markings as compositional choices, not arbitrary flourishes. Each marking serves the winter imagery and emotional arc.
- Blend the SATB voicing carefully during the resplendent chorus section so that the lush harmony reads clearly without any part pushing forward.
- Coordinate the phrasing between voices and piano; the accompaniment supports the vocal line's breath points and emotional contours.
How to use it
Position this in a fall or winter concert as a contrasting quieter selection within a thematic set. It pairs naturally with other seasonal works and allows audiences a moment of reflection before building toward more energetic pieces. The eight-page format makes it manageable for festivals and reading sessions.
Skills your students will build
- Sustaining legit tone through soft, exposed passages
- Balancing SATB voicing in close harmonic writing
- Responding to subtle dynamic and tempo markings
- Maintaining vocal line integrity while blending with accompaniment
- Interpreting text through musical phrasing and expression