The Swing: 2-Part Choral Octavo
Words by Robert Louis Stevenson, music by Greg Gilpin
Item: 00-PO-0001573
$1.85
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Description
A mostly step-wise melody soon becomes a canon in this playfully poetic piece written especially for 2-part treble singers. Near the end, a gentle and expressive moment brings out the thoughtful text. Delightful..
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Additional Details
Series:
Alfred Choral Designs
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
8
SKU:
00-PO-0001573
More about this title
About the Composer: Greg Gilpin
Greg Gilpin is an ASCAP award-winning composer and arranger whose choral works have been performed at prestigious venues across three continents, including Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, the Sydney Opera House, and Royal Festival Hall in London. As Director of Educational Choral Publications for Shawnee Press, he shapes the landscape of accessible choral literature while maintaining an active conducting career.
Beyond the music world, Gilpin has expanded his professional life as a certified financial coach and organizing specialist, appearing on network television and the series "Hoarders." His creative reach extends to film scoring; his work on the short film "Rosie's Rescue" earned him the award for Best Score in 2021. He holds membership in ACDA, NAfME, and SAG-AFTRA, and is a Life Loyal Member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia.
Why we love this
Gilpin crafts the canon entrance with genuine surprise rather than predictability, making the moment feel earned rather than mechanical. The shift into expressive, quieter music near the end gives singers a chance to connect with the text's emotional weight, creating contrast that keeps young musicians engaged throughout. This is the kind of piece that feels substantial without demanding vocal gymnastics.
What to expect
The piece opens with an accessible, almost conversational melody that feels like it could be a folk tune. When the canon arrives, the music gains energy and playfulness without losing its gentle character. The final moments turn inward, becoming reflective and tender, leaving singers and listeners with something to think about.
Who it's for
This octavo works for treble choirs in middle school through early high school settings, especially ensembles still building confidence with part-singing. The straightforward vocal writing and poetic text appeal to singers ready for something more substantive than unison, but not yet tackling complex harmonies.
How to get the most out of it
- Establish the step-wise opening melody with clarity and simplicity; let the text and natural phrasing carry the line rather than imposing artificial dynamics.
- When the canon enters, have singers mark their entrances in rehearsal before singing through passages. A clear visual cue from the director prevents the canon from feeling like an accident.
- Bring the expressive moment near the end into sharp relief by reducing vocal weight and allowing silence to breathe between phrases.
- Use the literary quality of the text as your rehearsal partner; connect singers to what the words mean so the musical choices follow naturally.
How to use it
Pair this with other Gilpin works for a cohesive choral concert, or program it as a lighter piece between heavier selections to give audiences a moment of joy and clarity. Its eight pages make it manageable as part of a larger concert arc without dominating rehearsal time.
Skills your students will build
- Entering a canon accurately and maintaining independence while blending with another voice part
- Navigating step-wise melodic lines with attention to phrase shape and text expression
- Moving between contrasting moods (playful to contemplative) within a single piece
- Using poetic text to inform musical phrasing and dynamic choice