The Bat: 2-Part Choral Octavo

Name: The Bat: 2-Part Choral Octavo
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 00-50133
Price: 2.05 USD
Availability: InStock

Words and music by Andy Beck

Item: 00-50133

Need it now?

Buy Digital Version

$2.05

Shipped

One moment…

Fans of Andy's Firefly and The Moon will love this clever piece written especially for 2-part choirs. Captivating vocal lines take flight over a chilling piano part and evoke the presence of the nocturnal mammal. Quick-changing dynamics, textures, and articulations are both the challenge and the reward of this vivid and vigorous, moody and modal gem. A true thriller that will add variety to programs year-round.

Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, The Bat: 2-Part Choral Octavo comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.

Open in the Player

Jump straight in and assign it today.

Start Your Free Trial

Open this title and explore the full library in minutes.

1 / 2

Series: Alfred Choral Designs

Publisher: Alfred Music

Page Count: 12

UPC: 038081573038

SKU: 00-50133

More about this title

About the Composer: Andy Beck

Andy Beck oversees Choral Publications at Alfred Music and has established himself as one of the most prolific voices in contemporary choral writing, with more than 450 pieces in print spanning concert works, vocal resources, and children's musicals. His influence extends well beyond the page: his compositions are performed by choirs worldwide, and his pedagogical resources including Sing at First Sight, Foundations in Choral Sight Singing, and Vocalize! have shaped how singers develop technique and musicianship. Beck holds degrees from Ithaca College and Northwest Missouri State University and maintains an active schedule as a guest conductor, clinician, and adjudicator for honor choirs and all-state groups across the country.

Beyond his work at Alfred, Beck is an accomplished tenor who performs with the North Carolina Master Chorale Chamber Choir and directs musical theatre productions. His dual commitment to artistic excellence and music literacy informs every piece he writes, whether it's a concert work or a teaching composition. As a studio singer for Alfred Music since 1992, he understands the demands and possibilities of the singers who will bring his music to life.

Show moreShow less

Why we love this

Beck crafts unexpected textures and moods within an accessible two-part format, giving singers real musical substance without overwhelming them. The chilling piano writing and quick shifts in dynamics and articulation create a genuinely theatrical piece that feels fresh on a concert program, and the Halloween connection makes it a natural fit for fall festivals while remaining engaging year-round.

What to expect

The Bat unfolds as a nocturnal adventure, with captivating lines that seem to dart and dip over an unsettling piano landscape. Quick-changing moods and textures create an almost cinematic quality, keeping the listener (and singers) alert and engaged throughout, while the modal harmonies lend a delightfully eerie character that feels both contemporary and timeless.

Who it's for

Two-part choirs seeking repertoire with genuine artistic weight and personality, whether performing in concert settings, festivals, or contest environments. This piece works for developing singers who can handle quick textural changes and committed directors looking to program something that stands out without requiring advanced ranges or complex harmonies.

How to get the most out of it

Establish the modal character early in rehearsal so singers understand the piece's darker harmonic world and can commit to the unsettling atmosphere rather than defaulting to a major-key brightness.
Layer the articulation markings gradually during rehearsal. Once the basic vocal line is secure, introduce the staccatos and legato shifts that create the piece's textural vitality.
Balance the piano part carefully so it supports without overwhelming the choir. The piano should feel like an active presence, not an accompaniment, so work with your accompanist on dynamic shaping that mirrors the vocal energy.
Use the recorded accompaniment to lock in rhythmic confidence during independent rehearsals, especially where quick dynamic changes occur.

How to use it

Program this in a fall concert or Halloween-themed event where its theatrical energy will have maximum impact, or place it as a contrast piece in a longer program to break up sustained lyrical passages. Its vivid character and manageable technical demands also make it a strong choice for festival and contest programming where distinctive, well-crafted repertoire draws attention.