When I First Put This Uniform On: TTB Choral Octavo
from Patience
Words by W. S. Gilbert, music by Arthur Sullivan / arr. Lon Beery
Item: 00-PO-0005788
$2.05
Minimum order quantity: 20 copies
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Description
Your men's ensemble will adore the patter text and witty humor in this excerpt from Gilbert & Sullivan's comic operetta, Patience. Verses are sung in two-part harmony, with an optional third part added during the chorus. Lon Beery's careful approach to the changing voice ensures that all the guys sing in an appropriate tessitura.
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Additional Details
Series:
Alfred Choral Designs
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
12
SKU:
00-PO-0005788
More about this title
About the Composer: Arthur Sullivan
Arthur Sullivan (1842-1900) was the composer of the Gilbert and Sullivan operettas that defined Victorian musical theatre. His gift for melody, harmonic sophistication, and instrumental color elevated comic opera to high art, earning him respect across both popular and classical circles. Sullivan's music remains central to choral and vocal instruction because of its accessibility, humor, and enduring theatrical appeal.
Why we love this
Lon Beery's arrangement preserves all of Sullivan's comic charm while keeping the tessitura sensible for changing voices and men's ensembles of varying skill levels. The two-part verses and optional third part during the chorus give you flexibility in voicing, whether you're working with a smaller group or splitting a larger one. Directors consistently report that this piece generates genuine enthusiasm from singers who love the patter text and the chance to perform recognizable Victorian humor.
What to expect
Witty and rollicking, with the swagger of a character admiring his own appearance. The patter moves quickly and demands clarity, while the harmonic language stays grounded in warm, accessible Sullivan: there's nothing precious here, only good-natured satire and solid Victorian tunefulness.
Who it's for
Men's choirs and TTB ensembles looking for repertoire that works equally well in concert and festival settings. This is ideal for groups with mixed voice maturity or changing voices, since Beery's arrangement accommodates various ranges without sacrificing the theatrical character of the original.
How to get the most out of it
- Keep the patter text rhythmically tight and articulate; the wit lands only when the consonants are crisp and the syllables land on beat.
- Treat the two-part verses as true duet moments. Encourage singers to listen across parts and shape phrases together rather than singing their line in isolation.
- Balance the optional third part carefully during the chorus so it enhances rather than muddies the harmonic foundation laid by the TB voicing.
How to use it
Program this early in a concert to energize the audience and showcase your ensemble's rhythmic precision and comedic timing. It pairs naturally with other Gilbert and Sullivan excerpts or sits comfortably in a secular concert alongside other novelty pieces from the Romantic era.
Skills your students will build
- Patter song delivery and rapid text articulation
- Two-part harmonic singing with clear voice independence
- Flexible tessitura management for changing voices and mixed voice ranges
- Period-appropriate style and comic operetta interpretation