Three New Madrigals: SSA, a cappella Choral Octavo

Althouse delivers three distinct musical experiences in one affordable package, each with its own pedagogical and performance appeal. The variety allows you to program them separately across your season, or use all three to showcase your choir's range in a single concert. At this price point, you can build your SSA library without stretching your budget.

These madrigals balance tradition with accessibility. The first honors the madrigal form with its playful "fa la la" section and echo effects, while the second offers lush harmonic comfort and emotional depth. The third brings rhythmic vitality and the potential for staged movement, making it an engaging closer that can spark joy in your rehearsal space and onstage.

SSA and 3-part choirs seeking repertoire that works in concert settings, competitions, and adjudications alike. Singers at intermediate level and above will find these madrigals rewarding to perform and learn from; the variety of styles keeps rehearsals fresh.

• Emphasize clarity in the echo chorus of the first madrigal; the back-and-forth dialogue between sections only works if audiences hear the musical conversation clearly.
• In the homophonic second piece, balance the text expression with vertical alignment; the thought-provoking lyrics deserve attention without sacrificing harmonic blend.
• If including the hand drum in the third madrigal, rehearse the percussionist alongside your singers early so the rhythmic drive feels integrated, not added.
• Use the processional option for the third piece as a staging opportunity; movement itself can energize the rhythm and engage your audience.

Program them strategically: open a concert with the energetic third piece to set a festive tone, anchor the middle with the lush second madrigal for contrast, and close with the traditional first madrigal if you want to end on a playful note. Alternatively, feature all three as a madrigal suite in a themed concert or festival appearance, letting each piece demonstrate your choir's versatility.

• Renaissance madrigal style conventions (echo technique, fa la la sections, word-painting)
• Blend and balance in both homophonic and more imitative textures
• Rhythmic precision and coordination when incorporating optional percussion
• Text interpretation and emotional expression across contrasting literary content
• Stage awareness and movement integration for processional contexts