The Sow Took the Measles: Mixed Chorus, SATB, Choral Score

Ehret captures the absurdist humor of a folk tale with musical precision. The arrangement gives every voice part something engaging to do while keeping the overall texture light enough that even a modest SATB section can make the audience laugh out loud. Repertoire that makes singers smile and audiences remember the performance is rare; this one delivers both.

A musical tall tale told with a wink. The score moves with conversational lightness, punctuated by moments of mock-earnest drama that make the absurdity land harder. This is the sound of musicians and audience sharing a joke together.

SATB choirs looking for a showpiece that entertains without demanding virtuosity. The piece works for high school, college, and community ensembles, and it fits equally well in a formal concert or a casual community event. Singers appreciate it because the humor makes rehearsal feel less like work.

• Lean into the comic timing. Treat textual punchlines like dramatic moments; a well-placed breath or slight ritard can amplify the humor.
• Balance part independence with ensemble blend in the chorus sections. Ehret's voice writing often splits the joke across parts; clarity matters more than blend.
• Consider your accompaniment choice early in rehearsal. Piano and guitar create different moods; pick one that matches your ensemble's energy and the concert context.

Program it as a palate cleanser between heavier works, or use it to open a concert and set a playful tone. It also works as a standalone encore or as part of a themed program celebrating folk traditions and humor in choral music.

• Comic timing and dramatic pacing in ensemble singing
• Maintaining textural clarity when voice parts carry different musical ideas
• Collaborative listening across SATB lines in character-driven arrangements