The Parting Glass: TTBB Choral Octavo

Parker's arrangement captures what makes this Irish farewell so enduring: a melody that sits naturally in men's voices and text that carries genuine emotion without sentimentality. The flexible voicing (TB/TTB/TBB/TTBB) means you can program this whether your tenor section is strong or your baritones outnumber tenors, and the eight-page score gives enough substance for a meaningful rehearsal without drowning a concert program.

A moment of reflection that feels both intimate and universal. The melody unfolds with the directness of a folk tune, but Parker's harmonic language gives it depth; the text (a farewell blessing) lands with quiet gravity. There is no sentimentality here, only honest craftsmanship and the kind of warm melancholy that makes audiences listen.

Men's choirs and TTBB ensembles looking for repertoire that is both musically substantial and genuinely enjoyable to sing. Directors who want a folk arrangement that feels earned rather than gimmicky, and who value pieces that anchor an all-male program with emotional intelligence.

• Honor the lyrical contour of the melody. Even in a four-part arrangement, the tune should sing through with warmth and legibility.
• Balance the harmony to support rather than obscure the text. Parker's voice-leading rewards clear diction over thick chordal blend.
• Let the lower voices anchor the harmonic rhythm without dragging. A flowing tempo that matches the natural speech rhythm of the words will keep the piece from feeling static.
• Consider whether your ensemble needs the accompaniment or can sustain this arrangement a cappella. Either choice works; the determining factor is ensemble blend and comfort with intonation.

Program this in a concert that mixes folk tradition with art song, or pair it with other Parker arrangements to showcase her distinctive approach to American repertoire. It works equally well as a concert closer (a fitting sendoff) or as a bridge between secular and sacred music if your program includes hymns or spirituals.

• Singing folk melody with musical line and intention
• Balancing ensemble blend across flexible TTBB voicings
• Maintaining intonation in four-part harmony
• Connecting text to phrasing and dynamic shape