Teach Your Children (arr. Philip Lawson): SSA Choral Octavo

Lawson's SSA arrangement strips this classic to its essential melodic and harmonic core, making it accessible for developing singers while preserving the warmth and humanity that made the original resonate. Programming a folk standard with genuine harmonic sophistication gives students a chance to sing something they or their families know, which builds both engagement and motivation in rehearsal.

Warm, conversational, and deeply human. The piece carries the intimacy of a song meant for voices gathered close together, with harmonies that feel inevitable once you hear them. There is nothing showy here, only the quiet confidence of singers who know they are conveying something that matters.

SSA choirs at the intermediate level who are ready for music that rewards careful listening and part independence without requiring advanced vocal technique. This works equally well in high school general choirs, community ensembles, and dedicated women's groups looking for repertoire with emotional resonance.

• Balance the soprano line with the alto parts; the melody will carry naturally, but the supporting voices need definition to showcase the arrangement's harmonic movement.
• Shape phrases across the bar lines rather than stopping at commas in the text. This piece breathes when your singers think in longer musical units.
• Let the recorded accompaniment guide your tempo work in early rehearsals, then gradually trust your singers' ability to breathe and shape without leaning on it.

Consider pairing this with other folk or contemporary works to create a thematic program about family, reflection, or social connection. It also serves as an excellent bridge piece when you are transitioning your ensemble toward more sophisticated harmonic writing or when you want to build confidence before tackling more demanding contemporary repertoire.

• Sustaining lyrical lines with minimal vibrato for blend
• Reading and balancing three independent voice parts
• Singing through bar lines to shape longer musical phrases
• Matching vowels across parts for harmonic tuning
• Understanding how accompaniment supports rather than drives the ensemble