Join us at J.W. Pepper as we showcase 10 amazing new Editors’ Choice concert and festival selections for the 2025 midyear season! These standout works, handpicked by our editorial team, span a variety of styles, publishers, and composers. Perfect for high school, community, or college choirs searching for the best new SATB music! In this video, you’ll hear small samples designed to spark inspiration and give you fresh ideas for your next performance. Don’t forget, we’ve got even more Editors’ Choice options for every choir in the link below, along with direct links to all the music featured today.
Hallelujah, Amen
Stacey V. Gibbs – Galaxy Music Corporation
Inspired by the famous Handel chorus “Hallelujah, amen,” this a cappella setting captures the spirit of the original work along with a fresh, joyful harmonic language. Playful metric changes and rhythmic syncopations make this piece a great teaching tool with high performance value.
Starts at 0:43
Jubilate Deo
Michael John Trotta – Hampton Roads Music Group LLC
Designed to be flexible for either SAB or SATB choirs with optional tenor notes, this exquisite a cappella setting of a Latin translation of Psalm 100 utilizes close harmonies and cluster cadences to effectively portray the text. Carefully chosen harmonies and modulations will help your choir sing expressively and beautifully.
Starts at 1:32
Don’t Give Up
Robert T. Gibson & Michael S. Engelhardt – Alfred Music Publishing
“Keep your head up and never look down” with this driving gospel-style original. Every voice part gets something exciting to sing when the soulful unison opening breaks into a variety of choral textures. Complete with a stacked-harmony bridge and an a cappella section clap chorus, the independent vocal lines build to an epic ending that make a strong statement to open or close a show or concert.
Starts at 2:31
Let Me Believe
Ayrian Norman – Heritage Music Press
Beginning with a lyrical solo supported by choral harmonies, this inspiring piece builds into an infectious groove with a captivating message. Exploring the contrast between hardships and victory, darkness and light, the composer’s original text encourages us to persevere and overcome adversity.
Starts at 3:34
Muhona
Cedrick Howoseb/ed. Ryan Main – Endeavor Music Publishing
Sung in the Otjiherero language of southwest Africa, this joyful and upbeat original a cappella work by Nambian composer Howoseb features claps, easy-to-learn movements, and djembe accompaniment. You can also showcase soloists or small groups of singers on the descants that soar over the rhythmic choral lines. A pronunciation guide and translation are provided along with a notated djembe part.
Starts at 4:26
Tokecang
arr. Ken Steven – Walton Music
A lively and authentic setting of this popular children’s song from the Sunda region of West Java, Indonesia, this a cappella arrangement features short soprano and tenor solos and plenty of rhythmic and stylistic excitement for the choir. The playful text in Sundanese reminds us to be thankful and not greedy or selfish so that we can feel happiness together.
Starts at 5:16
On Children
Artist: Sweet Honey in the Rock Ysaye M. Barnwell – E.C. Schirmer Music Co
Written in a gospel hymn style, Dr. Barnwell’s earliest published work features text from The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran that highlights the relationship between a parent and a child, and a child to the world. Updated by a scholarly committee dedicated to Dr. Barnwell’s works, this work is now available for mixed choirs in addition to the original treble voicing and includes new dynamics and updated punctuation.
Starts at 6:04
On the Mountain
Jennifer Lucy Cook – Oxford University Press
An autobiographical recollection of a mountain hike from which the composer needed rescuing, this original work has a fresh, energetic, American folk-song feel. The music is propelled by the rhythmic a cappella vocal lines and optional military-style snare drum part, portraying the dichotomy of feeling both lost and found.
Starts at 7:20
World O World
Artist: The Aeolians Jacob Collier – Boosey & Hawkes, Inc
Available in two different versions, this seven-minute choral opus from the multiple Grammy Award-winning composer is a challenge that is worthy of study for advanced choirs. The modern jazz-influenced choral harmonic language and moving lyrics crescendo into an astonishing climax.
Starts at 8:07
Come and Go (To That Land)
arr. Brandon A. Boyd – Gentry Publications
Brimming with upbeat gospel style, this arrangement partners two traditional spirituals, Come and Go to That Land and I’ll Be Singing Up There. With a stylized piano accompaniment that can be further enhanced with bass and drums, an opportunity to feature soloists, and a stacking gospel bridge that vamps right until the close, it’s a strong and memorable closer for either concerts or services.
Starts at 9:21
