The Owl, the Wind, and the Moon: 3-Part Mixed Choral Octavo
Words and music by Mark Burrows
Item: 00-PO-0007450
$2.40
Minimum order quantity: 20 copies
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Description
Three nighttime characters emerge one at a time to "weave their nocturnal tune" in this imaginative autumnal original. Singers become storytellers with a creative text, musical word painting, dramatic dynamics, and even sound effects---the song begins and ends by imitating the whispering wind. Program a mysterious, magical moment this fall or any time of year!
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, The Owl, the Wind, and the Moon: 3-Part Mixed Choral Octavo comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.
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Additional Details
Series:
Alfred Choral Designs
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
16
SKU:
00-PO-0007450
More about this title
About the Composer: Mark Burrows
Mark Burrows composes for choirs and ensembles across all ages and ability levels, from children's groups to adult festival choirs. His music appears regularly on state and festival lists, and he commissions new works every year from a broad range of music organizations. He holds degrees in music education from Southern Methodist University and in conducting from Texas Christian University, and serves as Director of Children's Ministries at FUMC in Fort Worth, Texas.
Why we love this
Burrows captures something rarely easy to pull off: genuinely theatrical storytelling that never feels forced or overwrought. The narrative structure (three characters arriving in sequence) gives every section its own musical identity while the integrated sound effects and word painting keep singers engaged and the audience absorbed. This is the kind of piece that lingers with your singers long after the last rehearsal.
What to expect
Mysterious and whimsical. The music shifts between delicate, introspective moments and fuller, more dramatic sections as each nocturnal character joins the story. Wind whispers, owl calls, and moonlit imagery create a soundscape that feels both intimate and slightly unsettling in the best way.
Who it's for
Directors looking for a concert opener or closer that captures attention and imagination. This piece works beautifully for middle school through high school ensembles with developing musicianship and a willingness to engage with creative text and theatrical elements.
How to get the most out of it
- Establish the opening wind sound effect as a group before learning the text. Have everyone sustain a whispered consonant sound at a consistent dynamic and pitch to create a unified, eerie texture.
- Work each character's music separately first. Singers need to own the personality of their section (owl, wind, moon) before blending the three voices together.
- Shape the dynamic climaxes with intention. Mark the places where intensity peaks and plan the release together so the dramatic moments land clearly without feeling chaotic.
- Use the recorded accompaniment to anchor your rehearsals, but designate one rehearsal before performance to sing completely a cappella or with minimal accompaniment to strengthen ensemble intonation.
How to use it
Open a fall concert with this piece to set a magical, slightly eerie tone, or use it as a bridge between lighter selections and deeper repertoire. It pairs well with Halloween-themed programming or as a standalone moment of theatrical storytelling during any season when you want to step outside conventional concert structures.
Skills your students will build
- Musical word painting and text illustration
- Coordinating sound effects with singing
- Blending three distinct melodic lines into unified storytelling
- Dynamic shaping across longer musical phrases
- Sustaining focus and character during sectional and full ensemble passages