A Song In The Air: SATB Choral Octavo
A Song In The Air Sheet Music Preview

A Song In The Air: SATB Choral Octavo

By Joel Raney

Item: 35-DS00433943
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$2.99
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Additional Details
Publisher: Hal Leonard
Page Count: 14
SKU: 35-DS00433943

More about this title

About the Composer: Joel Raney

Joel Raney

Joel Raney's musical foundation was built at the piano before formal training even began, nurtured early on by the gospel traditions of rural Alabama churches. This deep roots connection to sacred music continues to shape his compositional voice across a catalog of over 300 published works. His formal training spans choral conducting at the University of North Alabama and piano performance at Juilliard, a combination that informs both his writing and his role as Editor at Hope Publishing.

Beyond the church music world where his choral anthems and cantatas dominate sales charts, Raney has built a parallel career in commercial and theatrical music. He has conducted national Broadway tours, directed theater productions in major markets, and composed thousands of television and radio spots since the late 1980s. As a performing artist, he regularly tours North America as a piano soloist and collaborative musician, bringing the same detail and craftsmanship to the concert stage that distinguishes his published compositions.

Why we love this

Raney's Christmas writing stands apart because it treats the season with musical substance rather than sentiment. The arrangement respects your singers' musicality while the harmonic language avoids predictability, making this a piece that sounds fresh even after multiple rehearsals and performances.

What to expect

Warm and earnest, with the kind of gentle melodic grace that comes from genuine gospel influence. The piece settles into your singers' voices and allows for genuine musical communication rather than technical display.

Who it's for

Any SATB choir seeking a Christmas piece with substance. This works equally well for church choirs, community ensembles, and concert choirs that want something more musically interesting than typical seasonal fare.

How to get the most out of it

  • Balance the parts carefully in measures where the text layers across voices; the melodic clarity matters as much as harmonic blend.
  • Let the accompaniment breathe slightly at phrase endings rather than pressing forward mechanically; this style benefits from a natural, conversational pacing.
  • Encourage singers to shape individual phrases with intent, particularly in slower harmonic passages where sustained notes can either support or undermine the overall arc.

How to use it

Place this as an anchor piece in a Christmas concert where you want a moment of genuine musical reflection rather than pure celebration. It pairs well alongside both traditional carols and contemporary holiday selections, serving as a musical bridge between styles.

Skills your students will build

  • Blending sustained harmonic textures across four parts
  • Interpreting expressive phrasing in hymn-like sacred settings
  • Balancing independence within ensemble unison sections
  • Singing with stylistic awareness of gospel-influenced harmony

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