Vox: SSA, a cappellaChoral Octavo
Words and music by Greg Gilpin
Item: 00-PO-0006924
$2.05
Minimum order quantity: 20 copies
Pickup currently not available
Description
Enjoy the bright energy of ¾ felt in one. This rhythmic Greg Gilpin original may be accompanied by shaker alone or the optional keyboard part. Vibrant vocables have no literal meaning, but virtually bubble with joy---there's a smile built in. A complete form with contrasting sections, varied choral articulations, ostinatos, pedal tones, drones, the works. It's an action-packed musical journey, a colorful collage for the ears.
Vox: SSA, a cappellaChoral Octavo isn't in MakeMusic Cloud just yet...but it could be. Let us know you'd like to see it, and you'll help shape what comes next. In the meantime, start a free trial and dive into thousands of interactive titles your students can play along with today.
Request This Title
Tell us you want it.
Start Your Free Trial
Explore everything that's ready to play right now.
Sample Audio
1
1 Vox (Accompanied)
--:--
2
2 Vox (A Cappella)
--:--
1 Vox (Accompanied)
0:00
0:00
Sample Video
1 / 3
Additional Details
Series:
Alfred Choral Designs
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
12
SKU:
00-PO-0006924
More about this title
About the Composer: Greg Gilpin
Greg Gilpin has established himself as one of the most performed choral composers in the country, with his work featured at major concert halls including Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and the Sydney Opera House. An ASCAP award-winning composer and arranger, Gilpin also serves as Director of Educational Choral Publications for Shawnee Press, where his understanding of what works in rehearsal and performance shapes the literature he publishes.
Beyond the concert stage, Gilpin has expanded his creative reach into film scoring, receiving recognition for his work on the short film "Rosie's Rescue," and continues to lead performances internationally. His collaborative projects, including a world premiere arrangement with acclaimed opera singer Angela Brown, reflect his commitment to bringing fresh energy to both new and reimagined choral music.
Why we love this
Gilpin's gift for infectious rhythmic energy shines here, and the use of vocables instead of text removes any language barrier while maintaining complete musical sophistication. The flexible instrumentation (shakers alone or optional keyboard) means you can perform this in any setting, and the architectural details—ostinatos, pedal tones, drones, contrasting sections—give singers real musical work to do while keeping the whole piece buoyant and joyful.
What to expect
Bright, rhythmically propulsive, and unrelentingly optimistic. The vocables bubble and skip across phrases, and the layered textures (ostinatos, drones, pedal tones) create a rich harmonic landscape that feels both modern and deeply satisfying. From the opening moment, there's kinetic energy that builds and shifts but never loses its core sense of joy.
Who it's for
Directors leading treble choirs (middle school through high school) who want a contemporary piece with substantive musical content that never sacrifices accessibility or fun. This works equally well for concert settings, festivals, or community choral groups seeking material that energizes both singers and audiences.
How to get the most out of it
- Think of the vocables as pure percussion sounds rather than sung syllables; crisp articulation and rhythmic precision will make the joy land harder.
- Layer the ostinatos and pedal tones gradually during rehearsal so singers hear how each part locks into the whole rather than learning them in isolation.
- If using the optional keyboard part, ensure the accompanist matches the rhythmic precision and energy of the singers; the keyboard should feel integrated, not added on top.
- Experiment with dynamic shape across the contrasting sections to showcase the form; let softer passages breathe so the bright moments feel earned.
How to use it
This piece works beautifully as an opener to energize an audience or as a reprieve between weightier selections. Its bright, contemporary character makes it an excellent companion to more traditional SSA repertoire, and it's substantial enough (12 pages) to stand on its own as a set-closer that leaves listeners smiling.
Skills your students will build
- Reading and sustaining independent vocal lines with ostinatos and pedal tones
- Executing varied articulations and rhythmic precision in compound meter (3/4 felt in one)
- Layering and balancing multiple simultaneous vocal textures
- Maintaining rhythmic accuracy while singing non-text vocables
- Responding to dynamic and textural shifts within a formally structured piece