Over Hill, Over Dale

A whimsical chromatic piano motif opens and reappears throughout this buoyant Shakespeare text setting. Offers excellent three-part writing for treble or mixed ensembles and an appropriate balance of musical repetition vs. development. A midconcert night’s dream. Accompaniment available on PianoTrax 4 CD (00-35870). A NOTE FROM THE COMPOSER Programming my opening fall concert is always a challenge, because each year I have so many brand new singers. In 2011, my a cappella choir (which does occasionally sing accompanied pieces) sang my new Alfred publication, “Over Hill, Over Dale.” I originally chose this Shakespearean text to set to music after seeing a production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream at my school. Because the piece has so many piano interludes, I thought it would be fun to add an element of drama and movement to the performance. I recruited the students who had played Oberon and Puck in the play (and yes, they sing in choir!). They wore capes and ran about the choir sprinkling fairy dust (sparkling confetti) during the song. “Over Hill, Over Dale” was the hit of the show!