Be A Light!: 2-Part Choral Octavo

Hayes writes for young voices with clarity and purpose. The piece captures an affirming message without resorting to saccharine arrangements, making it equally suitable for a concert finale or a festival appearance where singers leave feeling accomplished rather than condescended to.

The music radiates warmth and confidence. Melodies unfold naturally across the two parts, creating moments of genuine harmony without demanding advanced musicianship, and the overall character is uplifting without becoming overly sentimental.

This octavo works beautifully for middle and high school choirs, children's choirs, and community ensembles seeking accessible two-part literature with genuine substance. Singers appreciate the singable melodies and positive character, while directors value the efficient page count and straightforward arrangement.

• Let the text shape the phrasing. Hayes pairs straightforward melodies with words that demand earnest delivery, so resist the urge to over-interpret rhythmically.
• Balance the two parts by thinking of them as a conversation rather than a hierarchy. Both lines carry the musical weight.
• Take advantage of the accompaniment to lock ensemble blend during rehearsals, then challenge singers to maintain that cohesion when the piano drops out or transitions between sections.

Position this as a closing concert piece where audiences leave with a sense of uplift, or program it at a festival or competition where young singers gain experience with quality contemporary writing. The modest ensemble demands also make it practical for singers at varying experience levels.

• Two-part harmonic independence
• Text clarity and meaningful word inflection
• Blending and balance between soprano and alto ranges
• Reading Hayes's straightforward but idiomatic rhythmic approach