The Other Wise Man: Choral Instrumental Pak
By Emily Crocker
Item: 35-PK01261061
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Description
The legend of the fourth Magi is magnificently presented in this moving cantata based on Henry Van Dyke's time-honored story. Through four expressive songs and underscoring to the narration, you'll follow Artaban's path to reach his King.Songs include: Who Would a Wise Man Be?; God of Truth and Light; A Tiny Child; Prince of Peace.
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Additional Details
Publisher:
Hal Leonard
SKU:
35-PK01261061
More about this title
About the Composer: Emily Crocker
Emily Crocker spent 15 years teaching music in Texas public schools across all grade levels before joining Hal Leonard in 1989, where she eventually became Vice President of Choral Publications. Her tenure there spanned nearly three decades, during which she shaped the landscape of contemporary choral education through both her publishing leadership and her own compositions.
Beyond her publishing career, Crocker founded and directed the Milwaukee Children's Choir from 1994 to 2009, later establishing the Vocal Arts Academy of Milwaukee from 2009 to 2015. Her compositions have been performed internationally, and she is recognized for her distinctive ability to create choral music that serves both artistic and pedagogical purposes. She now lives in Fort Worth, Texas, where she continues composing and supporting the arts community.
Why we love this
Crocker's setting of Van Dyke's Artaban story captures the emotional arc of sacrifice and devotion without resorting to saccharine sentimentality. The four songs feel essential to the narrative rather than interrupting it, and the underscoring provides directors with a practical tool for shaping the spoken portions into a cohesive dramatic experience. This is Christmas programming that respects both the intelligence of your singers and the depth of the source material.
What to expect
The score invites contemplation rather than celebration. Lyrical melodies explore themes of faith tested by circumstance, while harmonic language balances accessibility with emotional sophistication. The overall arc feels like witnessing a personal spiritual journey unfolding before you.
Who it's for
Choirs working with strong narrators and seeking an alternative Christmas narrative that moves beyond traditional carol-based programming. This work suits intermediate to advanced high school choirs and adult ensembles capable of sustaining lyrical phrases and responding to dramatic interpretation.
How to get the most out of it
- Shape each song's text with attention to Artaban's evolving emotional state; the opening "Who Would a Wise Man Be?" carries uncertainty, while "Prince of Peace" arrives as hard-won resolution.
- Balance the choir and instruments so the narration remains clear and present; underscoring should enhance rather than compete with the spoken word.
- Use the accompaniment arrangement to create atmospheric shifts between scenes, allowing instrumental introductions and transitions to guide the audience through Artaban's journey.
How to use it
Program this as a multi-scene dramatic cantata that anchors a Christmas concert's second half, allowing it breathing room as the centerpiece rather than one item among many. Alternatively, extract individual songs for concert use while treating the full narrated version as your departmental or all-state audition piece.
Skills your students will build
- Sustaining lyrical phrasing across longer melodic lines
- Responding to narration and adjusting dynamics to support spoken text
- Interpreting text for character and emotional arc within a multi-movement work
- Balancing choral sound with instrumental accompaniment in a theatrical context