Walk a Mile: SATB divisi, a cappella Choral Octavo
Words and music by Pepper Choplin / arr. Mark Hayes
Item: 00-PO-0002165
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Description
"Walk a mile in your neighbor's shoes. You'll understand them better if you do." That's the story behind this jazzy a cappella waltz by Pepper Choplin. Arranged by Mark Hayes, this SATB setting is filled with surprising musical twists and turns; it's rhythmically clever, melodically interesting, and harmonically pleasing. Includes fun-to-sing counterlines plus unexpected snaps and claps. Some divisi.
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Additional Details
Series:
Alfred Archive Edition: Alfred Choral Designs
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
16
SKU:
00-PO-0002165
More about this title
About the Composer: Pepper Choplin
Pepper Choplin studied composition at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas, and earned his Bachelor of Music degree from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Over his career, he has composed more than two hundred anthems and seven choral musicals, drawing inspiration from his work as a church musician, clinician, and worship leader at Greystone Baptist Church in Raleigh, North Carolina.
Choplin's creative range spans rock, classical, bluegrass, and inspirational music. He conducts and performs extensively throughout the country, bringing both humor and emotional depth to his work. Many of his compositions emerge directly from the worship needs of his own congregation, reflecting his fundamental aim to create music that invites people into dramatic, meaningful worship experiences.
Why we love this
Mark Hayes' arrangement captures Choplin's witty, rhythmically adventurous voice while making the piece genuinely singable for mixed voices at all skill levels. The counterlines and percussive elements (snaps and claps) inject personality without overwhelming singers, and the jazzy waltz frame gives the piece enough novelty to hold an audience's attention from first note to last.
What to expect
Walk a Mile feels like a conversation set to jazz harmony and waltz rhythm. There's warmth and accessibility in the melody, but surprise lurks beneath; unexpected harmonic turns and rhythmic pivots keep singers engaged and keep listeners leaning in. The addition of snaps and claps creates an almost vaudeville-meets-spiritual energy, playful yet grounded in genuine empathy.
Who it's for
This piece works beautifully for high school, college, and volunteer adult choirs seeking something contemporary with substance and personality. Directors looking for contest or festival material that engages both performers and audiences will find the message and musical writing equally compelling.
How to get the most out of it
- Establish the waltz lilt early and keep it conversational rather than stiff; the rhythmic twists land harder when the underlying pulse feels relaxed and grounded.
- Bring out the counterlines in sectional rehearsals so singers understand how their part dialogues with the melody; this clarity makes ensemble singing sharper and more confident.
- Time the snaps and claps during full rehearsals with the same precision you'd give to a rhythmic section, treating them as musical punctuation rather than afterthoughts.
- Balance the divisi moments carefully so inner voices don't disappear; consider standing placement or selective muting to shape these harmonic layers.
How to use it
Program this as a centerpiece in a concert built around social justice or community themes, pairing it with more introspective pieces to create dynamic contrast. Its contemporary style and singable accessibility also make it ideal for building ensemble confidence mid-season before tackling larger works, and it's equally at home in a pop/jazz-inflected concert or festival set.
Skills your students will build
- Singing jazzy harmonic progressions in close harmony
- Managing rhythmic independence (waltz pulse against syncopated lines)
- Performing body percussion (snaps and claps) while singing
- Balancing melody and counterline textures
- Ensemble cohesion across SATB divisi passages