Things That Never Die: SATB Choral Octavo
Words by Charles Dickens, music by Greg Gilpin
Item: 00-PO-0000796
$1.75
Minimum order quantity: 20 copies
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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
SKU:
00-PO-0000796
More about this title
About the Composer: Greg Gilpin
Greg Gilpin holds deep roots in the choral world as both composer and conductor, earning recognition from ASCAP for his contributions to the art form. His conducting career has taken him to prestigious venues including Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, the Sydney Opera House, and Royal Festival Hall, establishing him as a sought-after interpreter of choral literature. As Director of Educational Choral Publications for Shawnee Press, Gilpin shapes the trajectory of contemporary choral music for singers at all levels.
Beyond the concert hall, Gilpin has expanded his creative practice into film scoring, winning Best Score for the short film "Rosie's Rescue" in 2021, and has collaborated with acclaimed opera singer Angela Brown on new arrangements for concert performance. His professional involvement with ACDA, NAfME, and SAG-AFTRA reflects his commitment to music education and the broader artistic community.
Why we love this
Gilpin crafts choral settings that honor lyrical sophistication without sacrificing accessibility. The seamless sectional transitions here create forward momentum that keeps singers engaged and audiences invested, while the Dickens text elevates the emotional stakes beyond typical secular choral fare.
What to expect
The music carries a contemplative intimacy that shifts and deepens as it unfolds. Each section feels like a new revelation rather than a repetition, building toward quiet power through thoughtful harmonic and textural choices.
Who it's for
This octavo speaks to choral programs seeking secular literature with literary substance. Contemporary ensembles drawn to emotionally direct, well-crafted writing will find it immediately rewarding.
How to get the most out of it
- Attend carefully to the transitions between sections; Gilpin's architecture rewards singers who shape each phrase as part of a larger emotional arc rather than treating sections in isolation.
- Balance the text intelligently with the music. Dickens's language carries weight, so give singers time to inhabit the words while maintaining the piece's musicality.
- Utilize the PianoTrax accompaniment during rehearsal to lock in entrances and establish harmonic security, then work toward independence from the recording as confidence grows.
How to use it
Program this alongside other secular works that prioritize text and emotional authenticity. Its 12-page scope makes it a substantial contribution to a concert without overwhelming rehearsal resources, and the reflective character positions it well as a centerpiece or closing number.
Skills your students will build
- Singing through harmonic shifts that emphasize emotional color over traditional progressions
- Sustaining legit singing in contrasting sections with varied accompaniment textures
- Interpreting poetic language with musical precision
- Maintaining phrase shape across sectional boundaries