Greg Gilpin holds a distinctive place in American choral music as both a prolific composer and an internationally recognized conductor. His work has been heard on stages ranging from Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center to the Sydney Opera House and Royal Festival Hall, establishing him as a voice of consequence in the field. As Director of Educational Choral Publications for Shawnee Press, Gilpin shapes choral repertoire for ensembles nationwide, while his ASCAP awards recognize his contributions to the art form.
Beyond the music world, Gilpin has pursued parallel professional ventures as a certified financial coach and professional organizer, founding Maestro Organizing and appearing on television programs including network affiliates and the popular series Hoarders. His creative reach extended to film scoring in 2021 with the award-winning short "Rosie's Rescue," while his recent collaboration with opera singer Angela Brown on a reimagined "What Child is This?" demonstrated his commitment to fresh interpretations of familiar music. Active in ACDA, NAfME, and SAG-AFTRA, Gilpin remains deeply engaged in teaching, composing, and conducting as the choral landscape continues to evolve.
Why we love this
Gilpin brings the sensibility of a working conductor to his choral writing, which means every part serves a musical purpose and the piece actually feels good to sing. A two-part voicing at the secular level is deceptively practical; it opens doors for mid-year additions to your mixed choir, works beautifully as a women's feature from a larger ensemble, or gives your young singers genuine musical substance without overwhelming them. The writing respects both the voices singing and the singers behind them.
What to expect
The emotional core is intimate and sincere without sentimentality. The two-part writing creates space for vulnerability while the harmonic language feels contemporary and grounded, making this feel like a piece people want to return to rather than one they endure.
Who it's for
This piece serves choral directors seeking repertoire for developing singers who are ready for part-singing but need music that makes them sound mature without requiring extensive technical demands. It works equally well for a dedicated women's ensemble, a youth choir expanding into polyphonic textures, or any director building a concert around themes of hope and new beginnings.
How to get the most out of it
Find the melody's natural phrase contours by singing through without stopping for breaths; mark your breaths only after you understand where the music wants to breathe rather than where it's convenient.
Balance the two parts by rehearsing them separately first, then bringing them together at half tempo so each singer can hear both lines clearly before adding performance energy.
Connect the text throughout the piece by speaking the lyrics in rhythm during early rehearsals; this grounds the melody in language and reveals where the emotional weight truly lives.
Consider the dynamic shape of the whole piece before diving into individual phrases; too much volume too early flattens a song about beginning something tender.
How to use it
Position this as a feature within a larger concert structure, particularly one addressing transformation, growth, or seasons of change. Its modest scale and emotional directness make it an ideal choice for mid-program warmth after a more vigorous opening number, or as a gentle transition into a second half exploring vulnerability and connection.
Skills your students will build
Part independence and listening to a simultaneous melodic line
Phrasing and breath control within a sustained harmonic framework
Text expression and emotional communication through lyrical singing
Balance and blend across two distinct vocal ranges
You May Also Like
Scan to Complete Your Purchase
Use your phone's camera to scan the code below
You'll log in on your phone and the order will be added to your account
