Winter Carol: SATB Choral Octavo
Words by Christina Rossetti, music by Sherri Porterfield
Item: 00-PO-0004471
$2.25
Minimum order quantity: 20 copies
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Description
A beautiful setting of the famous "In the Bleak Midwinter" text by ChristineRossetti. Sherri Porterfield writes in a direct style with no vocal suprises for your singers. The vocal lines are melodic with no large skips, thus simplifying note-learning. Captures the imagery of a bleak midwinter night. An optional C-instrument (we prefer oboe) adds a haunting, plaintive texture to the simple, pianistic accompaniment.
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Additional Details
Series:
Alfred Archive Edition: Alfred Choral Designs
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
8
SKU:
00-PO-0004471
Instrumentation:
Opt. C-Instrument
More about this title
About the Composer: Sherri Porterfield
Sherri Porterfield directs choirs at Cedar Park Middle School in Cedar Park, Texas, and has built a distinguished career across Missouri, Kansas, and Texas. Her competitive honors include four selections to Who's Who Among America's Teachers, Teacher of the Year recognition in 1999, and consistent ASCAP awards since 1997 for her compositional output. She holds a B.S.E. in music education from the University of Memphis and a Master of Music in choral conducting from the University of Missouri-Kansas City, where she also served as an adjunct assistant professor of music education.
With over 175 published choral compositions represented by Alfred Music and other major publishers, Porterfield has established herself as a prolific voice in contemporary choral writing. She regularly conducts honor choirs and leads workshops across the United States, bringing her expertise to hundreds of music students and teachers. Her compositional approach favors clarity and singability, making sophisticated musical ideas accessible to developing choirs.
Why we love this
Porterfield's setting of this beloved text resists the urge to overcomplicate; instead, she trusts the poetry and melody to carry the weight of the season. The optional oboe part adds genuine atmosphere without demanding additional rehearsal burden, and the piano writing remains simple enough that accompanists at any level can support your singers confidently.
What to expect
Spare and contemplative, with a quality of hushed winter stillness. The optional oboe casts long shadows across the simple piano accompaniment, evoking both isolation and quiet beauty. This is not a carol that bustles or celebrates; instead, it lingers in the cold, finding profound dignity in restraint.
Who it's for
Choirs seeking a winter piece that respects their singers' developing musicianship while delivering genuine artistic impact. Middle school and early high school ensembles benefit especially from the stepwise vocal lines and emotional directness, though the sophistication of Rossetti's text and Porterfield's harmonic language appeals to singers of all ages.
How to get the most out of it
- Shape each phrase with subtle dynamic contours that follow the text's natural arc rather than relying on sudden changes; the melody's straightforwardness invites lyrical, connected phrasing.
- Balance the optional oboe line as a conversational partner to the choir rather than a soloist; it should blend into the texture while maintaining its distinct voice.
- Work the piano and oboe parts together from the beginning, even if you're still learning voice lines; their interplay establishes the emotional landscape your singers inhabit.
How to use it
Program this as a centerpiece for a winter concert's quieter moment, perhaps paired with more celebratory seasonal repertoire to create dynamic contrast. The eight-page length and moderate difficulty make it ideal for ensembles building toward larger works mid-season or for including in a diverse concert that reaches beyond traditional holiday music.
Skills your students will build
- Singing stepwise melodic lines with legit tone quality
- Maintaining four-part harmonic balance in homophonic textures
- Responding to poetic text with appropriate dynamic shape and phrasing
- Blending with instrumental partners while maintaining vocal independence
- Reading and performing literature by living composers