And So We Sing: SAB Choral Octavo

Mark Hayes writes with the confidence of someone who knows exactly what choirs can do and loves pushing them into exciting territory. The virtuosic piano part transforms what could be a standard arrangement into something genuinely theatrical; your accompanist becomes a full partner in the performance rather than a support player. Its versatility as an opener, closer, or standalone feature means you can build a program around it rather than forcing it into one predetermined slot.

The piece radiates affirmation and momentum, balancing the intimacy of a celebration song with the grandeur of something meant to move a room. The interplay between voices and piano creates moments of both lush harmony and dramatic clarity, building toward a finish that feels inevitable rather than imposed.

This piece belongs in programs featuring intermediate to advanced choirs comfortable with Hayes's contemporary harmonic language and the demands of a virtuosic accompaniment. It works equally well for community choirs, church music programs, and school ensembles seeking a showcase piece with genuine musical substance.

• Balance the choral parts carefully against the active piano writing; the accompaniment is substantial enough that singers must commit fully to their lines to avoid being buried.
• Establish clear communication about the dramatic arc with your accompanist before rehearsal begins. Hayes's form unfolds with intentional dynamics and pacing; locking in those transitions together pays immediate dividends.
• Mark the moments where the harmonic texture shifts or thickens, and use those as rehearsal anchors. SAB writing can obscure structural moments that feel obvious in full SATB scores.
• Consider the hall acoustics when balancing the lower voices (alto and bass). SAB voicing places less weight on the foundation, so ensure your lower singers project with the same energy as the sopranos.

Program this as your concert opener to set an energetic tone immediately, or close with it for a triumphant send-off that leaves the audience on an upswing. It also serves beautifully as a festival or combined-choir feature where you want a single piece to make a strong, memorable statement without requiring an extended suite of selections.

• Sustaining consistent blend across three distinct voice parts with independent piano accompaniment
• Navigating contemporary harmonic language and chromatic voice leading
• Responding to a virtuosic keyboard part that drives the musical architecture
• Projecting SAB voicing with clarity and presence in larger concert spaces