Winter Is at Hand Cover Image

Winter Is at Hand: SSA Choral Octavo

$1.90 USD
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Winter Is at Hand Cover Image
Winter Is at Hand: SSA Choral Octavo

Winter Is at Hand: SSA Choral Octavo

Words by William Shakespeare, music by Ruth Morris Gray

Item: 00-45677
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Description
"When clouds appear, when wise men put on their cloaks, when great leaves fall, the winter is at hand." Comprised of lines from Shakespeare's immortal drama Richard III, the text of this haunting and evocative piece is rich with seasonal imagery. Push and pull of tempos and the rise and fall of dynamics ensure musical interpretation.

Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Winter Is at Hand: 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: 038081514161
SKU: 00-45677

More about this title

About the Composer: Ruth Morris Gray

Ruth Morris Gray

Ruth Morris Gray has directed choirs at Rosemead High School in Rosemead, 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, earned her California Single Subject Music Credential from Cal State Northridge.

With over 100 published choral compositions to her name, Gray has established herself as a prolific voice in contemporary choral music. Her work as composer, educator, and performer reflects a deep commitment to creating accessible yet artistically substantial music for student ensembles.

Why we love this

Gray mines Shakespeare's Richard III for haunting seasonal language, crafting a piece that works equally well in concert programming and competitive festivals. The interplay of tempo and dynamic shifts demands genuine musical maturity from singers while remaining achievable for SSA ensembles, and the literary foundation gives directors rich interpretive ground to explore with students.

What to expect

A piece steeped in autumnal atmosphere and contemplative darkness, evoking the moment nature shifts toward winter. The dynamic and tempo fluctuations mirror the inevitable turning of seasons, creating an emotional arc that feels both inevitable and haunting.

Who it's for

SSA choirs with developing musicianship and some comfort with interpretive flexibility. This works for upper-level high school or skilled middle school ensembles looking for concert and festival repertoire that demands vocal maturity without excessive technical difficulty.

How to get the most out of it

  • Shape phrases through the written tempo and dynamic changes rather than forcing uniformity; Gray's push and pull is integral to the piece's character.
  • Emphasize clarity of text, especially in the Shakespeare lines. These words carry specific weight and imagery that listeners should grasp.
  • Balance the three voices so upper parts remain audible during fuller passages; the piece benefits from transparent layering.
  • Experiment with slight flexibility in pacing during transitions between tempos to allow the seasonal imagery to breathe naturally.

How to use it

Program this as a thematic anchor for a winter concert, or place it early in a competitive festival set to establish tone and showcase your ensemble's interpretive capabilities. Its literary foundation also pairs well with other season-based or text-driven pieces in a curated concert.

Skills your students will build

  • Interpreting tempo and dynamic shifts as expressive devices, not just mechanical changes
  • Sustaining three-part blend while maintaining individual voice clarity
  • Connecting poetic text to musical phrasing and emotion
  • Building confidence with Shakespeare's language through musical performance

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