Winter Has Come Cover Image

Winter Has Come: SSA Choral Octavo

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Winter Has Come Cover Image
Winter Has Come: SSA Choral Octavo

Winter Has Come: SSA Choral Octavo

Words and music by Ruth Morris Gray

Item: 00-38021
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Description
The poetry of this expressive winter song provides a florid description of the season's most distinct attributes. Warm choral harmonies are a stark contrast to the icy imagery, and an optional flute obbligato floats above.

A NOTE FROM THE COMPOSER
In December 2011, I directed my intermediate-level mixed choir in a performance of two of my new Alfred publications. We opened with the traditional "Carol of the Bells," then performed "Winter Has Come" and "Rise Up and Follow that Star." The set worked really well. "Winter Has Come" was a lovely lyrical contrast to the quick opening piece, and allowed me to feature an outstanding student flutist. "Rise Up and Follow that Star" made a terrific closer! I had the choir open singing forte (instead of mezzo-forte as marked) and all 60 singers lifted up their hands on each "rise up!" We grabbed the audience's attention with the first line--I saw several people almost jump out of their seats. They loved it!

Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Winter Has Come: SSA 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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Additional Details
Series: Alfred Choral Designs
Publisher: Alfred Music
Page Count: 12
UPC: 038081424934
SKU: 00-38021
Instrumentation: Opt. Flute

More about this title

About the Composer: Ruth Morris Gray

Ruth Morris Gray

Ruth Morris Gray brings decades of classroom experience to her compositional work, having directed choirs at Rosemead High School since 2004. She holds degrees 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.

With over 100 published choral compositions to her name, Gray writes music that reflects her deep understanding of what works in rehearsal and performance. Beyond composing and teaching, she is an active musician, traveler, and performer who rides e-bikes and swims with her husband, Douglas.

Why we love this

Gray captures the emotional depth of winter without leaning on obvious clichés. The warm harmonies set against cold imagery create genuine expressive tension, and the optional flute obbligato gives you a natural way to feature a capable instrumentalist without requiring the part. The piece reflects her classroom experience: it works as a lyrical anchor in a concert sequence, sits well in intermediate voices, and actually sounds more sophisticated than its technical demands suggest.

What to expect

Winter imagery unfolds through lush harmonies that feel almost contradictory—warm and inviting even as the text evokes frost and ice. The optional flute drifts overhead like wind or snowfall, adding shimmer and movement to the ensemble's grounded vocal sound.

Who it's for

Directors working with treble choirs (SSA or SSAA configurations) at the intermediate level who want a piece that balances technical accessibility with genuine musical depth. It also suits programs looking to feature a student flutist within a choral context without requiring a full instrumental ensemble.

How to get the most out of it

  • Balance the warm harmonic color in the choir against the flute's lighter texture if using the obbligato; the flute should float above rather than compete for attention.
  • Attend to the poetic language and imagery in rehearsals. Gray pairs her lyrics carefully with harmonic moments, so exploring the poetry first often unlocks the phrasing naturally.
  • If performing with the optional flute part, ensure your flutist has rehearsal time with the choir to lock the entrance points and lyrical phrases together.
  • Consider the dynamic arc across the full piece; the contrast between the warm opening and any climactic moments will feel more impactful if you shape the overall trajectory intentionally.

How to use it

Position this as a lyrical centerpiece in a winter or holiday concert, particularly if you're pairing it with quicker, more energetic pieces (Gray's own notes suggest it pairs beautifully with "Carol of the Bells" as an opener). The piece also works as a standalone feature if you have a strong student flutist to highlight.

Skills your students will build

  • Balancing blend and intonation across SSA/SSAA voicing
  • Connecting text imagery to harmonic color and phrasing
  • Collaborating with optional instrumental parts in a choral context
  • Sustaining legato line through warm harmonic movement

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