When Autumn Falls: SSA Choral Octavo

Name: When Autumn Falls: SSA Choral Octavo
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 00-38046
Price: 1.80 USD
Availability: InStock

Words and music by Lois Brownsey and Marti Lunn Lantz (incorporating the poetry of Robert Louis Stevenson)

Item: 00-38046

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"Feel a hint of winter in the air, when autumn falls." This expressive piece shimmers through each rubato phrase and culminates with the inclusion of Robert Louis Stevenson's warm poetry. Stunning. Accompaniment available on PianoTrax 4 CD (00-35870).

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Series: Alfred Choral Designs

Publisher: Alfred Music

Page Count: 8

UPC: 038081425184

SKU: 00-38046

More about this title

About the Composer: Lois Brownsey

Lois Brownsey and Marti Lunn Lantz have built a catalog of distinctive choral work together over many years, with particular strength in seasonal and multicultural compositions. Brownsey's foundation in musical theatre and performance (active from 1973 through 1997 in pop, rock, and blues ensembles across the US and internationally) informs the theatrical sensibility in their writing. Based in Pennsylvania's Pocono Mountains, Brownsey remains active as a Celebrant and community arts advocate, and alongside her husband Kent Heckman, operates Red Rock Recording Studios, where numerous Alfred projects come to life.

Their collaborative output includes widely performed pieces such as "Winter's Frost," "Japanese Snow Song," and "The Colors of Winter," as well as song collections exploring world cultures and natural themes. Their work with Alfred demonstrates a gift for matching text and music with emotional precision, creating pieces that balance accessibility with genuine artistic substance.

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Why we love this

The expressive rubato phrasing throughout this piece rewards singers who embrace interpretive freedom, making it an ideal vehicle for developing musicality beyond technical precision. Pairing Stevenson's poetry with the seasonal imagery creates a natural entry point for discussions about text painting and emotional communication, turning rehearsal into something more than note accuracy.

What to expect

The piece captures that precise moment when seasons shift, with the shimmer of rubato phrases creating a sense of movement and change. Stevenson's warm, reflective poetry deepens the autumnal mood, transforming what could be a simple seasonal piece into something genuinely introspective and tender.

Who it's for

SSA choirs ranging from high school to community groups who are ready for pieces that demand interpretive maturity alongside solid vocal fundamentals. Directors seeking fall or winter concert material with literary substance will find this particularly rewarding.

How to get the most out of it

Shape each rubato phrase as a single breath, even across multiple bars; resist the urge to reset tension between short melodic units.
Balance clarity in the accompaniment against the singers' need to float the melody; a lighter touch on the keyboard allows the SSA voicing to shimmer.
Explore tempo flexibility within the piece rather than locking into a single tempo; the poetry should guide your natural pacing.

How to use it

Position this as a centerpiece in a fall or early winter concert, particularly if your program explores themes of transition or reflection. Its eight pages and moderate technical demands make it an excellent companion to either lighter, rhythmic pieces (for contrast) or other literary-based choral works (for thematic cohesion).

Skills your students will build

Singing with expressive rubato and interpretive flexibility
Balancing ensemble blend in SSA voicing while maintaining textural clarity
Connecting poetic text to musical phrasing and emotional communication
Responding to conductor direction in pieces that prioritize musicality over strict metered structure