Celebrate the magic of autumn with 12 brand-new Editors’ Choice selections—including some of our choral team’s favorite standout pieces of the season! From crisp fall mornings to spooky Halloween nights, we’ve got fresh music for every moment. Whether you’re programming for school, community, or seasonal celebrations, these new works are ready to bring your fall concerts to life.
The Skeleton Dance
Brian Childers
A perfect choice for Halloween or any time of year when you want to add some fun and fright to your performance! This clever original features a memorable unison melody with a ton of performance options that include adding some optional harmony, classroom instruments, and simple choreography – all of which are spelled out in the score. Quickly learned, it’s an ideal choice for younger choirs in the fall.
Starts at 1:04
In Noctem
Nicholas Hooper/arr. Andy Beck
Featured in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, this shadowy cinematic selection has a secular text in both English and Latin. The haunting minor-key theme is harmonized in shimmering thirds that float above distant staccato chanting, and a minimalist piano part mirrors the film score’s bell-like tones.
Starts at 2:11
The Ballad of the Witches’ Road
Kristen Anderson-Lopez & Robert Lopez/arr. Roger Emerson
From Marvel Television’s “Agatha All Along,” this spooky setting is the perfect addition to any fall or Halloween concert. Incorporating modal mixture, pedal tones, stepwise motion, and rounds, this arrangement is filled with teaching – and haunting – moments!
Starts at 3:07
Guiding Light
Casper Christensen – Walton MusicPerfect for autumn or any time of year, this treble feature is reassurance that someone will be there to catch us if we fall. With a memorable melody, accessible harmonies, and a beautiful piano accompaniment, your singers will just love singing this declaration of friendship.
Starts at 4:04
The Owl, the Wind, and the Moon
Mark Burrows – Alfred Music Publishing
Three nighttime characters emerge one at a time to “weave their nocturnal tune” in this imaginative, mysterious original. Singers become storytellers with a creative text, text painting, dramatic dynamics, and sound effects that imitate the whispering wind. Perfect for fall or any time of year!
Starts at 4:51
The Haunting
Meredith Tompkins – Carl Fischer LLC
Exploring themes of lingering spirits and echoes of the past, this spellbinding original work blends ethereal harmonies with a hauntingly poetic text. With dynamic contrasts, layered textures, and moments of delicate phrasing, it challenges singers to deliver emotive storytelling. A solid choice for fall, Halloween, or general concerts.
Starts at 5:38
Two Halloween Treats
Douglas E. Wagner & James Cheyne – Alfred Music Publishing
Quick to learn and oh-so-fun to sing, unison singers will love these two bite-size Halloween songs about a ghost with a sweet tooth and a not-so-scary skeleton! Add the spooky xylophone part or sing with the accompaniment track for an extra chill!
Starts at 6:28
Thankfully
Michael & Angela Souders – Alfred Music Publishing
Honor active military and veterans at any time of year with this stately patriotic anthem. A song of thanks, this sincere tribute to the armed forces is bookended by optional solos, with a dramatic flourish in the final chorus. Perform with piano alone or any combination of concert band, strings, or full orchestra.
Starts at 7:18
We Say Thank You
Roger Emerson – Hal Leonard Corporation
Easily and quickly learned, this original patriotic piece honors the sacrifices made by our veterans. Perfect for Veterans Day or any patriotic occasion throughout the year, the melody is memorable and the text is heartfelt. A great choice for choirs of all ages!
Starts at 8:43
Joyful Thanksgiving
Jill Gallina
Combining an original melody with the traditional Over the River and Through the Woods, this bright and engaging selection provides a true celebration of the Thanksgiving holiday. A true partner song, it can be sung successfully with any combination of two-part voices.
Starts at 9:32
Abracadabra
arr. Mac Huff – Hal Leonard Corporation – Artist: Lady GagaLady Gaga is back with another dance-pop hit that is hypnotic, synth-driven, and chock-full of memorable hooks that are a blast to sing live. Ideal for pop or show choirs, this choral adaptation brings all the strength and spooky excitement that will make this a strong choice for any program – especially including in the fall for Halloween.
Starts at 11:02
Ghostbusters
Ray Parker, Jr./arr. Tom Anderson – Alfred Music Publishing – Artist: Ray Parker, Jr.
Grab your proton pack and join the ultimate ghost-busting adventure with the iconic 1980s hit that will never go out of style! This action-packed arrangement features plenty of unison, simple harmonies, and a great accompaniment track to enhance the supernatural silliness. Whether you’re celebrating Halloween or just in need of a good time, this retro throwback will get everyone dancing.
Starts at 11:59
