Speaking of Music: 2-Part Speaking Chorus Choral Octavo

The piece reads as engaging and purposeful rather than academic. Speaking passages create rhythmic energy and forward momentum, while the singing portions offer straightforward harmonic content that lets students focus on listening to and blending with one another.

This octavo works well for middle school, high school, and adult community choirs seeking literature that reinforces musicianship alongside performance. It suits ensembles at all vocal ranges, since the two-part voicing accommodates flexible voice assignments.

• Establish clear articulation during the spoken sections so that rhythmic patterns land with precision; treat the speaking parts as you would a percussion ensemble.
• Balance the singing and speaking elements by rehearsing them separately first, then layering them together so neither overwhelms the other.
• Use the educational content as a springboard for deeper discussion. Pause rehearsals to point out where students hear the concepts being demonstrated in real time.

Program this during a concert featuring educational or community themes, or use it as an opening number that captures attention while setting a musical learning objective for the audience. It also serves ensemble building early in the rehearsal year, when singers benefit most from explicit instruction in fundamental concepts.

• Recognition and performance of rhythm patterns and note values
• Understanding of pitch and interval relationships
• Harmonic listening and chord identification
• Ensemble articulation and rhythmic precision in spoken sections
• Two-part singing and blend