Ten Thousand Miles: SSA Choral Octavo
Words from the Traditional English Folk Song, music and additional words by Ruth Morris Gray
Item: 00-PO-0006881
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Description
How fun! A unique setting of words adapted from a familiar English folk song. Body percussion including handclaps, leg taps, and brushing palms decorate each voice part from the first statement of their independent line to the final layered recap. A departure from the traditional tune and tempo, Ruth's jaunty melody and andante interpretation creates a feeling of motion in triple meter.
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Additional Details
Series:
Alfred Choral Designs
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
16
SKU:
00-PO-0006881
More about this title
About the Composer: Ruth Morris Gray
Ruth Morris Gray has directed choirs at Rosemead High School in California since 2004, where she also teaches piano. She holds a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance and Composition from Biola University and a Master of Arts in Music Composition from UC Santa Barbara, completing her California Single Subject Music Credential at Cal State Northridge.
With over 100 published choral compositions to her name, Gray brings both classroom experience and compositional depth to her work. Her music balances accessibility with creative interpretation, drawing on her dual expertise in performance and composition.
Why we love this
This arrangement demonstrates how a familiar tune can be reimagined entirely through fresh harmonic thinking and rhythmic energy. The integration of body percussion across all voice parts transforms what could be a straightforward folk song setting into an engaging performance experience that keeps singers active and audiences delighted. Gray's jaunty melody and andante pacing create genuine forward motion in triple meter, making this feel both contemporary and deeply rooted in tradition.
What to expect
Jaunty and propulsive, yet grounded in the gentle pace of an andante. The triple meter rocks forward with purpose, while the layering of handclaps, leg taps, and palm brushes creates a sense of gathering momentum and celebration. This is folk music that feels alive and present rather than quaint.
Who it's for
SSA choirs seeking repertoire that energizes singers while remaining musically substantial. This piece works beautifully for groups comfortable with independent voice parts and willing to embrace movement as part of the performance.
How to get the most out of it
- Establish the handclap, leg tap, and palm brush patterns in your separate sections before layering voices together. Precision in the percussion elements is what gives this arrangement its character.
- Balance the independent melodic lines carefully during the layered recap. Each voice part should be heard distinctly even as the body percussion activity increases.
- Experiment with dynamic contrast between the first statements of each voice's line and the final stacked section. The buildup of texture naturally calls for attention to volume and intensity.
- Mark the tempo carefully in your score. The andante interpretation is essential to the feeling of motion Gray intends; rushing will flatten the effect.
How to use it
Use this as an energizing contrast piece on a concert that includes slower or more formal selections. Its accessible folk foundation makes it an excellent opener or closer, and the body percussion element engages audiences immediately. This is also ideal for pops concerts, community performances, or any program where joy and engagement are priorities.
Skills your students will build
- Coordinating body percussion with independent melodic lines
- Maintaining rhythmic precision in layered textures
- Balancing ensemble sound while executing rhythmic elements
- Reading and interpreting a non-traditional arrangement of familiar material
- Understanding tempo and its role in creating musical momentum