12 New Editors’ Choice Concert Works for Middle School Choirs

Everybody

Pinkzebra – Pinkzebra Publishing

Now we’re gonna get things started! This exuberant upbeat opener celebrates fun, music, dancing, and living life to the fullest. It’s perfect for any concert for choirs of all ages to grab the attention of your audience, or for show choirs looking for a high-energy number with great choreography possibilities.

Perform with the accompaniment MP3 or instrumental parts for a live band, and help your students rehearse with the part-dominant MP3 practice tracks available in a multi-user bundle to share with your whole choir.

Starts at 0:56

Journey the Night

Lisa Longe – Alfred Music Publishing

“In darkness, we see more than we know.” Carefully crafted for developing groups with moderate-range voice parts and a supportive accompaniment, this gentle original work in 6/8 is a lovely choice. Poetic lyrics about the mystique and wonder of nighttime evoke sounds of singing shadows. Composed mostly in minor, the final bars soften and slow with an uplifting shift to the relative major.

Starts at 1:54

The Thunderstorm

Laura Farnell – Alliance Music Publications

“Flashing, crashing, rolling and rumbling, growling and grumbling, comes the thunderstorm!” Eugene Hall’s text is dramatically set with a pounding piano accompaniment and optional bass drum and rain stick in this creative original work. Cued notes that can add soprano divisi offer flexibility, and repetition, unison, and doubled lines bring accessibility that guarantees success and appeal for developing choirs.

Starts at 2:49

Hola, Media Luna

Eddie Cavazos & Trevor Phillips – Alfred Music Publishing

A charming ode to the half-moon, this original work is lyrical and delicate. Legato voices sing in Spanish and English with unison lines and simple stacked harmonies over a supportive piano accompaniment. A simple pronunciation guide is included, plus extension activities and reflection prompts are available as a free download.

Starts at 3:44

Bring Me Little Water, Sylvie

attr. Huddie Ledbetter/arr. Audrey Snyder – Hal Leonard Corporation

Soulful and rootsy, this folk ballad arrangement features a laid-back, easy groove and engaging harmonic texture. Simple body percussion enhances the experience, and the supportive piano accompaniment offers the extra reinforcement that will help developing treble choirs succeed and sound sophisticated.

Starts at 4:39

The Keys to Canterbury

arr. Bryan Sharpe – Heritage Music Press

Engaging from start to finish, this lilting setting of a traditional 18th-century English tune is a joy to sing! With a minor feel like a sea shanty, the robust melody is shared between the voices and then complemented by countermelodies. Add the optional tambourine and triangle to further enhance the historic style and lyrics.

Starts at 5:32

TaReKiTa

Reena Esmail – Oxford University Press

In a vibrant cross-cultural celebration, this original work is composed in raga jog, an Indian classical melodic framework that incorporates both major and minor. Repeated riff-like vocalizations that mimic Indian instruments are easy to learn, while the vocal slides and captivating melodies combine to a spectacular effect. Add the choreographed hand motions for a truly exciting presentation!

Starts at 6:10

All You Need

Jim Papoulis – Small Voices Publishing

Empower your young singers with the universal truth that love, respect and common ground are all we need to turn the world around! Written in collaboration with songwriting workshop participants, this youthful call to action with a funky groove that doesn’t stop can be sung in unison throughout or with a few sections of optional harmony added.

Starts at 7:10

Simply (SA)

Amy F. Bernon, Mark Burrows, Neil Ginsberg, Ruth Morris Gray, Ruth Elaine Schram & Z. Randall Stroope – Heritage Music Press

Featuring six well-crafted choral pieces for treble choirs that don’t require additional divisi beyond two parts, this reproducible collection is a great addition to your choral library. These pieces strike the right balance between maturity and accessibility, with quality texts and musical settings that will resonate with singers of all ages. It’s flexible and reproducible, so you will always be prepared with repertoire on any rehearsal day, no matter how many singers are present. Simply project or make as many copies as you need – and you can reuse this repertoire year after year. The piano accompaniments are available separately as downloadable MP3s. Each piece is also available for purchase individually. Titles: I Will Be the Gladdest Thing (Neil Ginsberg); Exsultate (Mark Burrows); Why Does the Willow Weep? (Ruth Elaine Schram); Isn’t It Amazing? (Amy F. Bernon); Natsu No Yo Wa (Ruth Morris Gray); The Skipping Stone (Z. Randall Stroope).

Starts at 7:59

Songs for the People

Rollo Dilworth – Hal Leonard Corporation

A big, bold piano introduction sets the stage for this powerful and inspirational song. “Let the harmonies of freedom ring” is a message for this time and all times. The gospel feel of this original song gives the lyrics clarity, and an a cappella section makes this a worthy closing to your concert!

Starts at 9:11

Be the Bridge

Kyle Pederson – Walton Music

Accessible and engaging, this contemporary pop-style work has socially responsive themes of reconciliation, grace, empathy, and unity for our world. The piano part sets an irresistible groove while the choral parts are syncopated and lively. The alto 2 part is optional throughout, making this achievable by treble choirs of all ages.

Starts at 10:07

I’ve Got Joy

Otto Gross, Jayna Gross & Abigail Flowers – Endeavor Music Publishing

Brimming with energy and joy, this original work features an uplifting text, infectious melodies, and rhythmic verses, making it a joy to perform, see, and hear! With gospel flair in the vocal harmonies and accompaniment, it is a perfect way to open or close a concert. Add the body percussion notated in the score to encourage creativity and improvisation.

Starts at 10:54