White Fields in Winter
Words by James Stephens, music by Ruth Morris Gray
Item: 00-PO-0007133
$2.05
Minimum order quantity: 20 copies
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Description
This delightful winter poem imagines footprints in the snow as "prints of silver filigree." Ruth Morris Gray's captivating musical setting seamlessly alternates between major and minor keys. Enunciate clearly on the lightly lilting verses, sing lyrically on the legato refrain, and then enjoy the surprise when the two distinct motives come together near the end.
The PerformancePlus+ series is an innovative addition to the ever-expanding MakeMusic Cloud interactive library. These engaging selections are presented with educational resources designed to enrich the rehearsal process and create outstanding performances. Including:
The PerformancePlus+ series is an innovative addition to the ever-expanding MakeMusic Cloud interactive library. These engaging selections are presented with educational resources designed to enrich the rehearsal process and create outstanding performances. Including:
- Assignment, recording, and assessment tools within MakeMusic Cloud
- Part-predominant and accompaniment tracks
- Printable sheet music (with a standard MakeMusic Cloud subscription)
- Correlated rehearsal guides and performance notes
- Rights to perform in a live or virtual setting
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Additional Details
Series:
PerformancePlus+
Page Count:
12
SKU:
00-PO-0007133
More about this title
About the Composer: Ruth Morris Gray
Ruth Morris Gray has directed choirs at Rosemead High School in California since 2004, where she also teaches piano. She holds a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance and Composition from Biola University and a Master of Arts in Music Composition from UC Santa Barbara, along with her California Single Subject Music Credential from Cal State Northridge.
Gray has published more than 100 choral compositions, establishing herself as a prolific voice in contemporary choral literature. Beyond her work as composer, educator, and conductor, she is an active performer and finds creative balance through travel, swimming, reading, and cycling.
Why we love this
Gray's handling of the poem's imagery translates directly into musical practice: the lightly lilting verses demand crisp articulation that singers will enjoy executing, while the legato refrain offers genuine contrast and lyrical depth. The structural payoff when both motives combine near the end rewards rehearsal time and delivers a moment of real musical satisfaction in performance.
What to expect
The piece captures winter's quiet beauty through the juxtaposition of major and minor tonalities, creating a shimmering quality that echoes the poem's image of silver filigree. Singers experience both the buoyancy of the lilting verses and the warm lyricism of the legato refrain, with a culminating moment when both characters blend into something unified and complete.
Who it's for
This octavo works well for intermediate to advanced choral groups seeking winter repertoire with literary substance and musical sophistication. Directors programming concert or festival selections will find it engaging for ensembles with solid vocal control and reading skills.
How to get the most out of it
- Emphasize clarity of text in the opening verses without sacrificing the lilting rhythmic quality; crisp consonants and buoyant phrasing go hand in hand.
- Shape the refrain with sustained legato lines across all four voice parts; mark breath points carefully so the legato arc doesn't fragment.
- Listen closely to how the two distinct motives interweave in the final section; balance each voice equally so both ideas remain audible and neither overwhelms the texture.
How to use it
Pair this with other winter-themed selections for a seasonal concert, or place it as a centerpiece in a program exploring poetry and music. Its moderate length and accessible yet sophisticated musical language make it suitable for festival submissions where adjudicators value both textual clarity and harmonic interest.
Skills your students will build
- Alternating between major and minor tonalities with secure intonation
- Clear text articulation while maintaining musical phrasing
- Sustained legato singing across longer phrases
- Balancing two simultaneous melodic motives in the final section
- Responding to harmonic color and modal shifts