Directors’ Vote: The Results Are In! The Most Popular 2024–2025 Editors’ Choice Selections
For years, music directors and performers have relied on Editors’ Choice – our annual list of the best-of-the-best new selections for the season – to narrow down their search for new performance repertoire. For the fourth year running, we opened up the polls to our directors across the country: we wanted to know which of the newest Editors’ Choice selections were your favorites.
In addition to sharing your top picks, we asked for a short comment explaining what you love about each piece: what excites you about the music, how you intend to use it with your ensemble, your impression of the composer, and any other relevant comments.
We hope that the lists of winners and honorable mentions along with the insightful comments will help directors everywhere with their repertoire selections this year!
Here are the most popular 2024–2025 titles for each ensemble:
School Choral
Winner: Time – Jennifer Lucy Cook
“My choir loved the heck out of this song. They loved it because they sounded incredible singing it, with the intricate harmonies and thought-provoking lyrics. I loved it because it challenged them rhythmically, but it also pushed them to think beyond counting the rhythms. It has become one of the songs they return to singing together, without director initiation.” —Dani, IL
“Great way of showing the actual, theoretical, and the metaphysical passage of time in an easy-to-approach arrangement. My students loved working on and breaking down this piece.” —Chris, NE
“Great text, great arrangement, students were hooked immediately!” —Sarah, WI
Honorable Mentions:
Ad Astra (Extended Edition) – Jacob Narverud
“Love this song! My middle school singers absolutely loved this song and its harmonies. It is written so well and sounds harder than it is.” —Polly, NJ
Dies Irae from “Requiem” – Michael John Trotta
“An accessible but challenging selection my students voted to be included in our next concert!” —Amy, PA
Bloom – Lisa Longe
“This song is so versatile and lovely! We’re planning on using it for our All-City concert and have it ‘in our pocket’ for graduation as well!! Thank you for writing such a beautiful meaningful gesture to celebrate growth!!” —Stef, NY
Concert Band
Winner: Adventus – Scott Watson
“Solid, confidence-building first-year band piece; perfect for an opening selection.” —Anthony, PA
Honorable Mentions:
Highland Castle Echoes – Patrick Glenn Harper
“It’s a very nice piece at this level with the Highland melody and feel.” —Michelle, AL
Circles – Brian Balmages
“Students love the cinematic sound of the piece. A challenge in all the right ways for a developing ensemble. Great percussion parts!” —David, AZ
A Legacy of Hope – Robert W. Smith
“Robert W. Smith’s writing for concert band is amazing!” —Michelle, AL
Orchestra
Winner: Dragon’s Revenge – Dion Morales
“Written by a teacher! The flexible solo in the middle is a brilliant answer to schools that need or want flexibility for young groups.” —Pitir, MA
“This piece is so epic, and it’s perfect for my intermediate-level students. I’m so excited to play it with them this year!” —Devon, IL
“Great introduction to grade 2 playing, and it includes appropriate challenges for ALL instruments.” —Wanda, FL
Honorable Mentions:
Mohanam Hop – Cooper Ford & Manjula Ramachandran
“A beautiful Indian raga arranged and orchestrated in a beautiful way.” —Malini, NJ
4 Winter Waltzes – Holst, Tchaikovsky, Vivaldi & Waldteufel, arr. Kathryn Griesinger
“An imaginative way to keep classical music mixed in with modern emerging composers.” —Nancy, IL
Waypoints – Aaron Fryklund
“Great arrangement for early MS orchestra students. Very accessible.” —Melissa, TX
Jazz Ensemble
Winner: Mambo Natural – Rich Woolworth
“Great Latin rhythm. So much fun for bands and audiences alike!” —Cathy, SD
“It just keeps coming at ya. Love the chromatic runs and drum solos.” —Roland, IA
Honorable Mentions:
My Favorite Things – arr. Michele Fernandez
“Very creative arrangement that is fun to play. Exciting!” —Richard, TX
Circus Song – George Shutack
“This chart is really a nice change of pace that allows a different style and focus for the students and audience. I really enjoy the blending concepts and the 3/4 meter.” —Mike, NC
1-800-Got-Funk – Vince Gassi
Church Choral
Winner: 10,000 Reasons (Bless the Lord) – Jonas Myrin & Matt Redman, arr. Lloyd Larson
“Lloyd Larson has arranged a great contemporary song in a creative way to encourage my young singers to enjoy this arrangement of one of their favorites!” —Donna, NY
“It’s more contemporary than our usual choices, but easily learned and well received.” —Diane, MI
Honorable Mentions:
I Want to Walk as a Child of the Light – arr. Erik Dewar & Dan Forrest
“A stunning setting that includes the congregation.” —Dean, OH
A Giving Place – Heather Sorenson
“Beautiful anthem for stewardship season.” —Craig, NC
Handbells
The Lord Now Sends Us Forth – arr. Cathy Moklebust
“So fun! The guitar really makes the piece. Rhythmic and uplifting!” —Cathy, SD
Honorable Mentions:
The Wexford Carol – arr. Cathy Moklebust
“Creative, haunting, mesmerizing.” —Cathy, SD
Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence – arr. Fred Gramann
“Fred Gramann’s music is just a cut above all the others.” —Dean, OH
7 Christmas Carols for 12 Bells – arr. Brian Childers
“Just getting handbells started back up, and this is a great help.” —Charles, SC
