Think on Me: SAB Choral Octavo
Words by Lady John Scott, music by Ruth Morris Gray
Item: 00-PO-0003633
$1.90
Minimum order quantity: 20 copies
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Description
This sincere setting of Lady John Scott's timeless poem is a joy to sing, a pleasure to teach, and a delight to hear. Delicate suspensions and expert choral writing underscore the meaningful text: "When hearts are lightest, when eyes are brightest, when griefs are slightest, think on me."
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Additional Details
Series:
Alfred Choral Designs
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
12
SKU:
00-PO-0003633
More about this title
About the Composer: Ruth Morris Gray
Ruth Morris Gray directs choirs at Rosemead High School in California, where she has taught since 2004. She holds degrees in Piano Performance and Composition from Biola University and a Master of Arts in Music Composition from UC Santa Barbara, complemented by her California Single Subject Music Credential from Cal State Northridge.
Gray has published over 100 choral compositions, balancing her work as composer, educator, and performer with a passionate life beyond the music studio. She shares these interests with her husband Douglas, from traveling and reading to swimming and cycling.
Why we love this
Gray's setting respects the emotional weight of Lady John Scott's beloved poem while keeping the vocal writing accessible and genuinely singable across all three parts. The delicate suspensions create harmonic depth without overwhelming younger or less experienced singers, and the text declamation feels natural rather than forced—a hallmark of a composer who understands the choir director's reality.
What to expect
Tender and reflective, the piece invites singers into quiet intimacy. The text unfolds like a gentle prayer or cherished memory, with suspended harmonies that linger before resolving, creating moments of longing and sincerity without slipping into sentimentality.
Who it's for
This octavo works beautifully for developing three-part mixed choirs, community choruses comfortable with SAB texture, and directors seeking literature that genuinely moves singers while remaining within technical reach. It's equally at home in a high school program or an adult ensemble.
How to get the most out of it
- Balance the suspensions carefully in rehearsal; mark them during score preparation so singers understand which notes carry the harmonic tension and which provide resolution.
- Shape the phrase "when hearts are lightest, when eyes are brightest, when griefs are slightest" with subtle dynamic swells that correspond to the message of each phrase rather than treating them as equal statements.
- Allow altos and basses to find their independence; at SAB level, the middle and lower voices sometimes get overlooked in favor of soprano melody, but this arrangement rewards attention to all three parts.
How to use it
Program this alongside other intimate works to create a quiet moment in concert, or pair it with more energetic selections to showcase your choir's range and sensitivity. Its moderate length and modest performance demands make it ideal for spring programs, memorial services, or any occasion calling for heartfelt reflection.
Skills your students will build
- Sustaining long phrases with consistent breath support and line
- Singing suspensions and resolving harmonic tension with intonation awareness
- Balancing three-part harmony and maintaining independence within SAB voicing
- Text expression and emotional communication through dynamic shaping