Water Music: SATB Choral Octavo

By Ricky Ian Gordon

Item: 35-DS00408292

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$4.95
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Additional Details
Publisher: Hal Leonard
Page Count: 67
SKU: 35-DS00408292

More about this title

About the Composer: Ricky Ian Gordon

Ricky Ian Gordon is a prolific American composer and conductor whose work spans opera, choral music, and art song. His compositional voice draws on American vernacular traditions while engaging with contemporary harmonic language, making his work both accessible and musically substantive. Gordon has established himself as a significant figure in 21st-century choral writing, with numerous works performed by leading choirs and at major festivals.

Beyond composition, Gordon's deep involvement in music education and his collaborative relationships with singers of all levels inform the craftsmanship of his choral works. His pieces are known for their singability and emotional directness, qualities that have made them staples in high school and college choral programs.

Why we love this

Water Music arrives as a sophisticated yet genuinely approachable piece that doesn't ask your choir to choose between artistic substance and pedagogical viability. Gordon's harmonic language creates rich sonority without requiring chromatic virtuosity, and the text setting honors natural speech patterns while maintaining musical integrity throughout.

What to expect

The piece evokes the fluidity and constant motion of water itself, with harmonic color that shifts and reflects light. There's contemplative beauty here, paired with moments of gentle exuberance that reveal Gordon's gift for writing that feels both intimate and expansive.

Who it's for

Advanced high school choirs and collegiate ensembles seeking contemporary repertoire with real artistic depth. This work suits singers who've developed secure voicing and can navigate Gordon's harmonic language with confidence and sensitivity.

How to get the most out of it

  • Attend carefully to Gordon's dynamic markings; they shape the piece's emotional arc as much as the melody does. Resist the impulse to over-shape dynamics and let the natural declamation breathe.
  • Balance the inner voices with particular care in the richer harmonic moments. These aren't background texture but essential to the color Gordon intends.
  • Determine early whether you'll use an accompaniment or perform a cappella, as this choice affects your approach to intonation and sectional independence throughout.

How to use it

Water Music works beautifully as a centerpiece for a concert exploring nature themes or contemporary American choral writing. Its 67 pages suggest it can anchor a substantial program or sit comfortably alongside shorter works, offering enough musical substance to justify its placement without overwhelming a balanced set list.

Skills your students will build

  • Reading and singing contemporary harmonic language with chromatic voice leading
  • Balancing ensemble blend across four equal voices in richer sonorities
  • Interpreting dynamic and textural nuance as structural elements
  • Developing independence within the SATB texture through Gordon's counterpoint

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