The Heart Will Sing
SATB, SAB, or SA and Piano or chamber orchestra | 3' 30"
"We journey home, the place unknown, but when it's found the heart will sing." This comforting text about companionship uses imagery of sailing on the ocean as a metaphor for life's journey. An unforgettable melody and expressive accompaniment makes this a piece you will want to share with all of your ensembles. Available for SATB, SAB, and SA voices with piano accompaniment or chamber orchestra.
Chamber orchestra instrumentation: flute, oboe, percussion, harp, piano*, strings 1.1.0.0 - 0.0.0.0 - 1perc - hp.pf - str (3.3.2.2.1 or larger suggested) *The chamber orchestra piano part is different from the SATB score. Available for purchase from J.W. Pepper |
More about the piece
When I was commissioned write a piece for my alma mater high school in 2017, I wanted to do more than find a public domain text to set. Having dabbled in poetry myself, I decided to try my own hand at writing a suitable text for the occasion. The result was something simple, but truly from the heart, drawing from my memories growing up near the ocean and feeling connected to the wonderful people I have met as a singer in and director of choral ensembles. The themes of unity and community are ones I often return to when writing choral music, and while there are hints of religious sensibility, I sought to make the text truly universal by employing nature imagery. As a pianist myself, I took particular delight in writing an expressive piano part that is fulfilling to perform, and complements the choral writing and text painting.
In 2024 the newly orchestrated version was awarded first place in a composition contest held by the Granite State and Nashua Choral Societies in New Hampshire.
When I was commissioned write a piece for my alma mater high school in 2017, I wanted to do more than find a public domain text to set. Having dabbled in poetry myself, I decided to try my own hand at writing a suitable text for the occasion. The result was something simple, but truly from the heart, drawing from my memories growing up near the ocean and feeling connected to the wonderful people I have met as a singer in and director of choral ensembles. The themes of unity and community are ones I often return to when writing choral music, and while there are hints of religious sensibility, I sought to make the text truly universal by employing nature imagery. As a pianist myself, I took particular delight in writing an expressive piano part that is fulfilling to perform, and complements the choral writing and text painting.
In 2024 the newly orchestrated version was awarded first place in a composition contest held by the Granite State and Nashua Choral Societies in New Hampshire.