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to obtain copies of the scores below!
“Sandbox”
Description
“Sandbox” for SATB a cappella choir with divisi is a meaningful, nostalgic piece with a message of perseverance to seize the day, no matter how much time we have left on the earth. With text by Grant Chemidlin, “Sandbox” features satisfying, singable lines that explore various harmonic centers while still remaining simplistic and honest. It was written for the University of Central Missouri Concert Choir’s performance at the 2025 Missouri Music Educators Association Conference in Osage Beach, MO.
What to Expect
SATB with divisi, a cappella
Difficulty: Moderate
Pedagogical Considerations: Divisi; through-composed, nostalgic text, text painting, sensitive voice-leading
“Love, Seek, Serve”
Description
“Love, Seek, Serve” was written to commemorate the 40th anniversary of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Lenexa, KS on September 29th, 2024. The intent was to combine musicians from the traditional and contemporary services, as well as to include the congregation. In the spirit of flexibility, this hymn/anthem/vocal solo/praise song has a beautiful, flowing melody with a message of inclusion, love, and grace. The chorus that is easy to pick up, should you want your audience to join. Purchasing one copy of this PDF entitles you to 30 copies of its contents, including instructions with ideas on how to incorporate the piece, a full score in two keys, and their corresponding lead sheets.
What to Expect
Flexible Scoring (Soloist/congregation & piano minimum to SATB choir +/- Piano/Band)
Difficulty: Easy
Pedagogical Considerations: Flexible scoring, tuneful, compound meter, inclusive message, sacred
“What Whales and Infants Know”
Description
With text by Alaskan poet Kim Cornwall, “What Whales and Infants Know” is an uplifting piece that will easily be a singer and audience favorite. Soaring lines and aleatoric sections in the voices and piano create a continually interesting soundscape while remaining approachable to the very end.
What to Expect
SSA & Piano
Difficulty: Easy-Moderate
Pedagogical Considerations: Through-composed, varying textures; layering; approachable aleatoric sections, meaningful text and subject matter, female/LGBT+ poet, accompanied
“Morning Song of the Bees”
Description
“Morning Song of the Bees” is a playful, upbeat secular tune for SAB choir and piano. Ranges are limited for achievability, its motivic nature provides many “anchors” throughout the piece, and the piano part is supportive while allowing the voices to shine. Choirs of any age (this has been performed by Middle School, High School, and College Age students with success) will enjoy exploring the many other musical aspects in the score. Written to include minimalist vocal techniques, Louisa May Alcott’s joyous and vivid text is presented through interesting harmonic shifts and text-painting, culminating in a piece this is fun to sing and sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
What to Expect
SAB with piano
Difficulty: Medium
Pedagogical Considerations: Motivic, syncopation, minimalism, whistling, Upbeat tempo, female poet, text painting
“When I Go Back to Earth”
Description
“When I Go Back To Earth” was written in 2023 and was a dedication in memory of the late Ann Sweeney. Singers will enjoy this comforting piece as lyrical lines interweave with one another through various keys, all the while maintaining smooth, idiomatic voice leading. With some unexpected turns in harmony, the Sara Teasdale text and message is clearly heard at all times and will be an inspiring contribution to your program.
What to Expect
SATB with divisi, a cappella
Difficulty: Moderate-Advanced
Pedagogical Considerations: Lyrical lines, frequent divisi, female poet, multiple keys explored (remaining diatonic), accessible voice-leading, inspiring message, through-composed, rubato, interplay between vocal lines
“crossing over”
Description
Inspired by a hike through lesser-known Costa Rican cloud forests, this haunting piece conjures a soundscape of memories, longing, and unresolved emotion. The cello invokes a distinct bird call and offers a melancholic response to the vocal line. Taken from “Rootlines,” a text by Kelsey Day, “crossing over” is set to create a texture of unexpected turns before returning home once again.
What to Expect
SATB with divisi & cello
Difficulty: Moderate
Pedagogical Considerations: Frequent neighbor tones with varying text stress, sustained voices, quarter notes triplets, deep subject matter, female poet
“Sacred Spaces”
Description
“Sacred Spaces” is for SATB choir and piano. It features text by Melissa Gard that provides a message of inclusion, hope, and love. “Sacred Spaces” is accessible to church choirs, community choirs, and other SATB ensembles with its supportive accompaniment, motivic unity and manageable phrase lengths, yet takes the choir on an interesting harmonic journey to a soaring climax.
What to Expect
SATB & Piano
Difficulty: Easy-Moderate
Pedagogical Considerations: Accessible vocal lines, sacred, inclusive message, supportive piano, motivic, female poet
“as the grey stones”
Description
“as the grey stones” is a short but impactful composition for SATB choir. With text by Sara Teasdale, this piece is one of joyous yearning through a mostly homophonic texture and warm harmonies.
What to Expect
SATB with divisi, a cappella
Difficulty: Easy-Moderate
Pedagogical Considerations: Some divisi, motivic, rubato, text painting
Jackson C. Thomas 