The Long Day Closes: SATB Choral Octavo
Words by Henry F. Chorley, music by Greg Gilpin
Item: 00-PO-0000940
$1.80
Minimum order quantity: 20 copies
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Description
Greg Gilpin has carefully set this touching Victorian era poem in an uncomplicated choral style, allowing us to focus on the deep meaning of the text. Expressive, quality literature for today's choirs. Poignant. Featured on PianoTrax 3 Accompaniment CD (00-34744).
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Additional Details
Series:
Alfred Choral Designs
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
8
SKU:
00-PO-0000940
More about this title
About the Composer: Greg Gilpin
Greg Gilpin is an ASCAP award-winning composer and conductor whose work has graced major concert halls including Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, the Sydney Opera House, and Royal Festival Hall. His influence on American choral music extends through his role as Director of Educational Choral Publications for Shawnee Press, where he shapes the landscape of accessible yet artistically rigorous choral literature.
Beyond the concert stage, Gilpin has expanded his creative reach into film scoring, earning recognition for his work on the award-winning short "Rosie's Rescue," and has collaborated with internationally recognized artists on innovative arrangements. He holds membership in ACDA, NAfME, and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, and continues to teach, compose, and conduct with energy and vision.
Why we love this
Gilpin strips away unnecessary complexity here, letting a Victorian text breathe through clear, singable lines and genuine harmonic expression. The arrangement respects both the choir's musical development and the poem's emotional weight, making it equally effective for students discovering meaningful choral literature and experienced ensembles seeking substantive repertoire that performs with impact.
What to expect
Reflective and tender, with the quiet dignity of a Victorian lyric set to music that feels both intimate and universal. The harmony deepens without overwhelming, inviting singers and listeners alike into a space of genuine contemplation.
Who it's for
Intermediate to advanced SATB choirs ready to engage with emotionally substantial repertoire. This piece appeals to directors seeking secular choral literature that fosters musical maturity without demanding virtuosic technical display.
How to get the most out of it
- Honor the text's introspective quality by cultivating sustained vowel shapes and deliberate phrase endings; rushing through the phrasing dilutes the piece's contemplative character.
- Balance ensemble blend across all four parts, as the uncomplicated harmony means each voice line remains audible and carries melodic responsibility.
- Use dynamic contrasts thoughtfully to shape the arc of meaning rather than default to crescendos; let silence and restraint do interpretive work.
How to use it
Position this as a centerpiece in a concert devoted to poetry in music, or pair it with other introspective secular works to create a memorable second half. Its restrained beauty provides welcome contrast to more extroverted selections and works particularly well in spring concert programming.
Skills your students will build
- Sustaining legit tone across longer phrases in slow tempo
- Blending four independent melodic lines into unified ensemble sound
- Interpretive flexibility and text-driven musical expression
- Attention to harmonic balance in less densely-voiced writing