Who's That Knockin'?: SATB, a cappella Choral Octavo

Name: Who's That Knockin'?: SATB, a cappella Choral Octavo
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 00-45378
Price: 1.90 USD
Availability: InStock

Words and music by Greg Gilpin

Item: 00-45378

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This fantastic original a cappella spiritual is not to be missed! An insistent melody opens the piece in unison, and then fully develops with rhythmic syncopations, varied choral textures, and dramatic dynamics. A challenging mixed meter section and a compelling descant build anticipation, leading to a satisfying musical payoff!

Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Who's That Knockin'?: SATB, a cappella Choral Octavo comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.

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Series: Alfred Choral Designs

Publisher: Alfred Music

Page Count: 12

UPC: 038081511184

SKU: 00-45378

More about this title

About the Composer: Greg Gilpin

Greg Gilpin stands out as a prolific choral composer and conductor whose work is performed across the country at venues ranging from Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center to the Ryman Auditorium. His compositions have been heard internationally at the Sydney Opera House, Royal Festival Hall in London, and Harpa Concert Hall in Reykjavik. Beyond his writing and conducting, Gilpin serves as Director of Educational Choral Publications for Shawnee Press, where he shapes the landscape of choral music available to schools and community ensembles.

Gilpin's creative reach extends beyond traditional choral work. He received recognition for composing the score to the award-winning short film "Rosie's Rescue," collaborated with opera singer Angela Brown on a new arrangement of "What Child is This?" for the Indianapolis Symphonic Choir, and holds membership in ACDA, NAfME, and Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia. As an ASCAP award-winning composer, he continues to contribute meaningful repertoire to the choral canon.

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Why we love this

Gilpin's gift for writing spirituals that feel both rooted in tradition and freshly alive comes through in every phrase here. The unison opening creates immediate unity before the piece unfolds into intricate textures and syncopations that keep singers engaged and audiences captivated; the mixed meter section and descant provide the kind of architectural challenge that makes singers feel genuinely accomplished when they nail it.

What to expect

The piece opens with an urgent, almost knocking rhythm in unison that draws the listener in immediately. As voices multiply and rhythmic syncopations layer in, the texture becomes rich and driving, building momentum toward the mixed meter section that feels deliberately destabilizing before resolving into the compelling final descent that brings the piece home with genuine satisfaction.

Who it's for

This octavo works well for intermediate to advanced mixed choirs seeking a cappella material with real substance and spiritual depth. Appropriate for contest or festival performances, it also serves choirs wanting to expand their spiritual repertoire beyond traditional arrangements into original compositions that challenge singers musically and emotionally.

How to get the most out of it

Shape the opening unison melody with clear articulation and rhythmic precision. Even though all voices move together initially, lock the phrasing by conducting cutoffs cleanly so the entrance of syncopated material lands with impact.
In the mixed meter section, rehearse each voice part separately first to build security with the rhythmic displacement, then gradually blend the parts together while keeping a steady internal pulse.
Balance the descant with the full ensemble carefully during the final build. The descant should shine without overwhelming the harmonic foundation beneath it; mark dynamics in rehearsal to ensure clarity at performance intensity.
Allow time for expressive breathing in the final payoff passage. The dramatic dynamics throughout demand control, so designate staggered breathing points that preserve the musical line while giving singers air.

How to use it

Use this as a concert centerpiece where it can command full attention in an a cappella set, or program it to anchor a spiritual-themed concert alongside other traditional and contemporary sacred works. The 12-page octavo and its contest-worthy polish make it equally strong for festival submissions or spring recital programming.