Things That Never Die Cover Image

Things That Never Die: SSAA Choral Octavo

$1.75 USD
$1.75 USD
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Things That Never Die Cover Image
Things That Never Die: SSAA Choral Octavo

Things That Never Die: SSAA Choral Octavo

Words by Charles Dickens, music by Greg Gilpin

Item: 00-31135
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Description
The emotional words of Charles Dickens are paralleled by the powerful music in this sensitive choral for contemporary choirs. Each of the contrasting sections transitions seamlessly to the next. An exquisite work, rich in musicality and poetry. Accompaniment included on PianoTrax 1 CD (00-31028).

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Additional Details
Series: Alfred Choral Designs
Publisher: Alfred Music
Page Count: 12
UPC: 038081339078
SKU: 00-31135

More about this title

About the Composer: Greg Gilpin

Greg Gilpin

Greg Gilpin stands at the center of American choral music as both a composer and conductor. His work has earned ASCAP recognition and taken him to stages across the globe, from Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center to the Sydney Opera House, Royal Festival Hall, and beyond. As Director of Educational Choral Publications for Shawnee Press, Gilpin shapes the choral repertoire available to singers at every level.

Beyond the concert hall, Gilpin has extended his creative practice into film composition and organizational consulting, bringing the same clarity and precision that define his musical writing to these parallel pursuits. His collaborative projects include premiering new arrangements with celebrated opera singers and contributing to award-winning short films. A member of ACDA, NAfME, and a Life Loyal Member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, Gilpin remains committed to the full spectrum of choral music making and education.

Why we love this

Gilpin's setting of Dickens' text achieves something rare: it deepens the poetry without overshadowing it. The seamless section transitions keep the piece moving as a unified emotional arc rather than a series of moments, which makes a real difference in rehearsal and performance. Directors working with treble voices will find the voicing sits naturally while demanding musicality that respects their capabilities.

What to expect

The music unfolds with the contemplative quality of Dickens' language, moving between moments of intimacy and passages of broader emotional weight. Rich harmonic writing and sensitive phrase architecture create an atmosphere that feels both contemporary and deeply human, never sentimental.

Who it's for

This octavo belongs in programs built around treble-voiced ensembles ready for music that asks emotional maturity alongside technical skill. Intermediate and advanced high school choirs, college women's choirs, and community choral groups with strong sectional singers will connect with the piece's expressive demands.

How to get the most out of it

  • Balance the treble lines carefully during rehearsal; mark where the text-painting moments occur so singers understand the musicality beneath the notation.
  • Use the PianoTrax accompaniment to establish the overall harmonic palette early, then gradually pull back to let the voices find independence.
  • Shape phrase endings with intention, especially across section transitions; these moments determine whether the piece feels fragmented or whole.
  • Spend rehearsal time on vowel consistency within and between sections to maintain tonal cohesion as the music modulates and changes color.

How to use it

Program this as a centerpiece for a concert exploring the intersection of literature and music, or pair it with other secular pieces that value text clarity and emotional specificity. Its 12-page length and introspective character make it strong repertoire for a spring concert that needs both depth and contrast to lighter works.

Skills your students will build

  • Balancing treble voice independence within a cohesive harmonic texture
  • Sustaining musical line through contrasting section transitions
  • Connecting text meaning to harmonic and melodic choices
  • Ensemble awareness and blend across changing voice distributions

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