Awake, My Soul!: SATB Choral Octavo

Sorenson writes pop idioms for choirs with genuine musicality rather than condescension. The piece captures contemporary energy without sacrificing the acoustic beauty and emotional depth your singers can actually achieve, making it rewarding to teach and genuinely enjoyable to hear.

An energetic, pop-influenced anthem that invites singers to wake up and fully participate. The piece carries forward momentum and purpose, balancing rhythmic drive with moments of genuine reflection.

Choirs seeking contemporary repertoire that engages singers without requiring a rock band. This works equally well for high school and college ensembles, community choirs, and any group wanting material that feels current and accessible.

• Establish the groove early in rehearsals; this piece lives in its rhythmic pocket, so lock the feel before worrying about note accuracy.
• Balance the pop sensibility against your singers' tendency to oversell the style. Let the arrangement breathe, and encourage confident but natural delivery of the text.
• Shape phrases to the lyrics rather than the bar lines. This prevents the piece from feeling metronomic and allows the emotional arc to come through.

Pair this with traditional repertoire on a concert to showcase your choir's range and versatility. It also works as a season opener or closing number when you need to leave audiences with contemporary energy and optimism.

• Singing pop idioms and contemporary rhythmic figures
• Blending choral tone with stylistically appropriate inflection
• Reading and executing syncopated rhythmic patterns in four-part writing
• Maintaining ensemble energy while supporting lyrical clarity