Swim, Little Fishy: 2-Part Choral Octavo
By Andy Beck
Item: 00-PO-0000056
$1.65
Minimum order quantity: 20 copies
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Description
A nautical novelty number that kids will love! Enthusiastic singers warn a little fishy to escape the approaching fisherman in this up-tempo "tail" with a patter-like text. Independent vocal lines and an adventurous plot are sure to reel your audience in - hook, line, and sinker. Minor key, but major fun!
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Additional Details
Series:
Alfred Choral Designs
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
8
SKU:
00-PO-0000056
More about this title
About the Composer: Andy Beck
Andy Beck directs choral publications at Alfred Music and has written more than 450 choral works, vocal resources, and children's musicals that are actively performed by singers across the globe. His influential pedagogical resources, including Sing at First Sight, Foundations in Choral Sight Singing, and Vocalize! 45 Vocal Warm-Ups That Teach Technique, have shaped how many music educators approach vocal instruction and ensemble building.
Beyond the page, Beck is an accomplished tenor, a sought-after guest conductor and clinician, and a commissioned composer for honor choirs throughout the United States. He holds degrees in Music Education from Ithaca College and Northwest Missouri State University, and his work reflects a deep commitment to developing musical literacy and choral artistry in singers of all ages.
Why we love this
Beck writes for kids with genuine wit and musicality. The patter-like text and independent vocal lines mean your singers stay engaged through the narrative drive, not just the melody. A minor key novelty number is a refreshing choice that teaches younger choristers that fun and musical substance are not mutually exclusive.
What to expect
Despite its minor key, the piece bubbles with excitement and mischief. There's a sense of urgency in the singers' warnings to the little fishy, complete with the kind of playful exaggeration kids love. The patter-like text creates moments of rapid-fire fun that contrast with any lyrical sections, making the whole piece feel theatrical and alive.
Who it's for
Upper elementary and middle school choirs will gravitate toward this piece immediately. The nautical humor, active storytelling, and manageable two-part voicing make it ideal for singers who are still building confidence in independent lines without needing adult or advanced choral expertise.
How to get the most out of it
- Keep the patter text sharp and articulate by having singers practice the rhythmic passages without pitch first; this clarifies the comedic timing and ensures clarity even at an up-tempo pace.
- Emphasize character and storytelling during rehearsals so singers understand they're warning the fishy, not just singing notes. This emotional investment makes the energy genuine rather than forced.
- Balance the two vocal lines carefully so neither part disappears. The independence of each line is what makes the arrangement interesting, so both need presence even when one carries the main melody.
- Use the recorded accompaniment in rehearsals to lock the ensemble into the groove early, then gradually reduce reliance on it so singers own the rhythmic vitality themselves.
How to use it
Program this as a spring or end-of-year concert opener to set a lighthearted tone and warm up your audience. It pairs well with other nautical or nature-themed pieces, or stand alone as a palate cleanser between more serious repertoire. The novelty and humor make it memorable enough that even non-musicians in your audience will leave humming the melody.
Skills your students will build
- Singing in parallel minor key with secure intonation
- Maintaining independent vocal lines while tracking a separate ensemble part
- Delivering rapid text articulation and phrasing at tempo
- Creating character and dramatic expression through choral singing
- Responding to rhythmic precision in up-tempo narrative music