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CoverAnd Nature Smiled [level: Medium]
Allen Koepke: Bio and other works
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voicing: SSA | catalog number: SBMP 36 | duration: 4:15 | price: $2.25
accompaniment: piano


Written in the modern folk style, composer Allen Koepke has provided an inspirational, allegorical text that is sure to delight. The piano lends dramatic support to the finely styled vocal parts. A frequent choice for festivals and state contest lists. Also available for TBB


performance by: Indianapolis Youth Chorale, Tim Brimmer, conductor  [© all rights reserved]
recording available on promo CD for $2.00: Add to Cart

Order CLICK HERE: See and Hear the Complete Score or download a perusal copy: HERE

CLICK HERE: Read the Text or Poem
On the hillside grew a lovely rose a beauty to behold.
The sun and rain did bless the rose, and nature smiled, it was told.

Proud was the rose midst the widowhood, its fragrance pure as finest gold.
All creation understood and bowed, as its petals would unfold.

Soon the weeds did gather ’round the rose.
“Share with us your beauty,” they asked in coy repose.
“Give us each one petal, for then we all will be
beautiful and worthy, to stand with dignity.”

“Run from the beggar's ticks, run from the horsetail,
run, run away,” was the cry of the loon.
“Stay,” cried the shepherd’s purse, “Stay,” cried the thorn tree.
“Listen to your heart,” came a plea from the moon.

Then a stillness settled on the land.
The rose, in all her wisdom, stretched out a gentle hand
and touched each one around her; none was to be denied.
She knew the secret of their beauty came from deep inside.

“Each of you is part of a plan from above.
You give life to others, there is no greater love.
Be strong in one another, and then you all will see
you won’t need any petals, you have your dignity.”

On the hillside grew a lovely rose, a friend amid the wild.
The sun and rain did bless the rose, and nature smiled.
And nature smiled.

The poem is allegorical. It makes reference to a number of weeds (widowhood) that may be un-familiar to the singer, namely beggar’s ticks, horsetail, shepherd’s purse, and thorn tree. The song is through-composed (new music provided for each verse); it is written in the modern folk style.

CLICK HERE: Choral Tracks (Practice made simple)


And Nature Smiled choral track bundle contains a part dominant track for each voice part, a balanced voices track, and an accompaniment track if the work is not a cappella (the accompaniment is also included with the part dominant and balanced voices track). Get more information and listen to samples HERE. Please note that the choral score is not included in the bundle and needs to be ordered separately.

Price: $49.99
(Each bundle is licensed to be used by up to 50 users)
Please adjust the quantity accordingly if you have more than 50 users.


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CLICK HERE: Allen Koepke performance notes
The indicated tempi are suggested speeds—each director should find the tempo which feels “right.” The Tempo Rubato offers the director the opportunity to consider the text and phrasing as indicators of tempo variation. When balancing the three parts, always be sure the melody predominates.

This score is available in Printed or ePrint format at checkout (More Information)

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Featured on the following reading sessions
2017 | UMEA State Choral Committee Reading Session
2015 | Massachusetts ACDA Summer Conference July 19, 2015
2012 | AL ACDA Summer Reading Session
2011 | Michigan State VMA Read. Sess.



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Rain, Rain!
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by Daniel Brinsmead