There Is Sweet Music Here: SAB Choral Octavo
Words by Alfred, Lord Tennyson, music by Victor C. Johnson
Item: 00-PO-0007842
$2.50
Minimum order quantity: 20 copies
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Description
Victor Johnson lends his artistic voice to this beloved Alfred, Lord Tennyson text. A mellifluous melody, warm harmonies, and sensitive syllabic stress bring the alluring poetry to life. An elegant piano accompaniment offers decorative embellishments while providing consistent support for mixed or treble ensembles. Enjoy conducting the nuanced rubato and expressive dynamics.
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Additional Details
Series:
Alfred Choral Designs
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
12
SKU:
00-PO-0007842
More about this title
About the Composer: Victor C. Johnson
Victor C. Johnson, a Dallas native, currently serves as School Choral Editor for Sing!, the educational publishing arm of Choristers Guild. His compositional output spans over 500 works across choral literature, vocal solos, and keyboard collections, all in active publication.
From 2000 to 2018, Johnson directed the choral program at Fort Worth Academy of Fine Arts, where he led the Academy Singers and Academy Men's Choir while serving as Artistic Director for both the Singing Girls of Texas and Children's Choir of Texas. In 2022, he was appointed conductor of the Dallas Symphony Children's Chorus Mixed Ensemble, which represents the resident children's choir for the Dallas Symphony Orchestra and serves advanced singers in grades 9-12. He maintains active membership in the American Choral Directors Association, Texas Music Educators Association, National Association for Music Education, American Guild of Organists, and ASCAP.
Why we love this
Johnson's setting captures the impressionistic quality of Tennyson's verse through transparent, singable writing that respects the natural speech patterns of the text. The piano part functions as both musical partner and colorist, adding sophistication without overwhelming a developing ensemble.
What to expect
The music unfolds with a dreamlike quality, inviting listeners into Tennyson's idealized landscape. Warm harmonies and a flowing melody create moments of genuine repose, supported by a piano accompaniment that glimmers with decorative detail.
Who it's for
This octavo works beautifully for mixed or treble choirs ranging from intermediate to advanced levels. It suits ensembles seeking a literary text setting with genuine artistic depth and a piece that programs well on concert and festival occasions.
How to get the most out of it
- Shape the line through vowel resonance rather than dynamic extremes; Johnson's harmonies reward a consistent, warm sound across the phrase
- Attend carefully to the syllabic stress Johnson marks in the score, this attention matters more than dramatic rubato for clarity of diction
- Balance the SAB voicing by ensuring your altos sustain their inner harmonic function; they carry essential color in the warm chords
- The recorded accompaniment locks the tempos, so rehearse with it early to internalize the gentle rubato rather than fighting against it
How to use it
Pair this with other art song settings or Romantic-era texts to create a thematic concert section. It also serves as an excellent choice for festival programming, where its musical refinement and poetic substance will stand out.
Skills your students will build
- Syllabic text stress and natural speech rhythm in singing
- SAB voicing balance and blend in three-part texture
- Interpretive phrasing across bar lines and musical phrases
- Collaboration with accompaniment and responding to dynamic and rubato cues