Winter Carol: SSA Choral Octavo
Words by Christina Rossetti, music by Sherri Porterfield
Item: 00-PO-0004472
$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-0004472
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 career developing young singers across Missouri, Kansas, and Texas. Her ensembles have earned numerous sweepstakes awards at competitions and performed at state music educators conventions; she has also taught as an adjunct assistant professor of music education at the University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory of Music.
As a composer, Porterfield has published over 175 choral works through Alfred Music Publishing and other major publishers, earning ASCAP awards annually since 1997 for her compositions. 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. Throughout her career, she has served as a clinician and guest conductor for honor choirs across the country, and has been recognized multiple times in Who's Who publications for her contributions to music education.
Why we love this
Porterfield's direct compositional approach removes technical barriers without sacrificing emotional depth. The melodic vocal lines and absence of large intervallic jumps mean your singers spend rehearsal time connecting with the poetic text and imagery rather than wrestling with notation, freeing mental energy for interpretation.
What to expect
The piece evokes a quiet, contemplative winter night. Simple melodic lines and an uncluttered accompaniment create space for the introspective beauty of Rossetti's text to emerge, while the optional oboe adds a plaintive, almost elegiac quality that deepens the mood.
Who it's for
Middle school and early high school SSA choirs seeking accessible seasonal repertoire with genuine musical substance. This works equally well for choirs that are still developing reading skills and those looking for repertoire that prioritizes emotional storytelling over technical complexity.
How to get the most out of it
- Balance the optional oboe or C-instrument carefully in rehearsal; its haunting quality should complement rather than dominate the choral texture. Test the dynamic relationship between the instrument and your singers early.
- Shape the melodic lines with attention to the text's imagery of bleakness and winter. Encourage your singers to visualize the scene as they phrase, which will naturally inform breath placement and pacing.
- Use the simple, pianistic accompaniment as an anchor for intonation work. The straightforward harmonic structure rewards a focused listening approach from your singers.
How to use it
Pair this with other winter or sacred texts to create a thematic concert set, or use it as a standalone offering in a December concert where you want a moment of quiet reflection. Its accessibility makes it suitable for all-school assemblies or community performances alongside more technically demanding repertoire.
Skills your students will build
- Reading three-part SSA voicing with clear part independence
- Interpreting poetic text through vocal line shaping and phrasing
- Balancing choral sound with optional instrumental color
- Managing simple harmonic progressions with accurate intonation