Beneath One Sun: 2-Part Choral Octavo
Words by John Jacobson, music by Emily Crocker
Item: 00-PO-0007256
$2.50
Minimum order quantity: 20 copies
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Description
Written for the 30th Anniversary of the Milwaukee Children's Choir by founding director Emily Crocker, this song of unity features original words by John Jacobson and a simple Latin phrase meaning "love is everything." Body percussion and optional congas capture the joyful world-music groove. Not to be missed!
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Additional Details
Series:
Alfred Choral Designs
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
16
SKU:
00-PO-0007256
More about this title
About the Composer: Emily Crocker
Emily Crocker spent 15 years teaching music in Texas public schools across all grade levels before joining Hal Leonard in 1989. Over nearly three decades with the publisher, she rose to VP of Choral Publications and became instrumental in shaping how choral music is taught and performed in American schools.
Beyond her publishing work, Crocker founded and directed the Milwaukee Children's Choir from 1994 to 2009, leaving a lasting impact on the organization that led to her being named Director Emeritus in 2019. She also founded and directed the Vocal Arts Academy of Milwaukee from 2009 to 2015. Her compositions are performed worldwide, and she is recognized for her gift in creating choral literature that serves both pedagogical and artistic purposes. She now lives in Fort Worth, Texas, where she continues to compose and champion the arts.
Why we love this
Crocker wrote this piece to celebrate the Milwaukee Children's Choir's milestone, which means it carries real institutional significance and genuine creative intent rather than generic celebration music. The combination of accessible 2-part writing, body percussion, and optional congas gives directors a flexible way to build ensemble energy and world-music awareness without requiring percussion specialists.
What to expect
Beneath One Sun radiates warmth and connection. The simple 2-part writing and world-music groove create an accessible entry point for younger singers, while the layered body percussion and optional congas add rhythmic sophistication and genuine fun. There's an infectious quality that lifts both performers and audience.
Who it's for
This piece works beautifully for elementary and middle school choirs seeking engaging, concert-ready repertoire that celebrates unity without condescension. It's equally at home in festival competitions or community performances where you want to showcase your singers' versatility and joy.
How to get the most out of it
- Treat the body percussion as a core rhythmic element, not an afterthought. Rehearse the hand claps and body sounds with the same precision you'd expect from a drum line, locking them into the groove before adding optional congas.
- Emphasize the Latin phrase's pronunciation during sectionals. Clear diction on the non-English text elevates the piece's authenticity and helps singers connect to the cultural element.
- Lean into the joyful world-music character by encouraging singers to feel the groove rather than sing mechanically. This piece rewards a rhythmically relaxed, forward-moving approach.
How to use it
Program this as an opener or closer on a concert where you want to establish an energetic, inclusive tone. It pairs well with other contemporary world-music selections or as a bridge between classical and pop repertoire. The piece also shines in spring concerts or end-of-year celebrations where ensemble joy is the primary goal.
Skills your students will build
- Maintaining steady rhythm while reading body percussion notation
- Coordinate unison and 2-part singing with rhythm section independence
- Sustain ensemble cohesion in a rhythmic, groove-based style
- Pronunciation and musicality in simple Latin text