Broken Wings: Choral Octavo SoundTrax CD

This arrangement respects the song's pop sensibility while making it genuinely rewarding for choir singers. Eric Van Cleave's voice-leading keeps parts singable and satisfying without sacrificing the emotional arc that made the original a chart-topper, and the recorded accompaniment lets singers focus on blend and interpretation rather than fighting against backing tracks.

Inspired by Kahlil Gibran's reflections on love and acceptance, the song carries a tenderness that refuses to become maudlin. The melody unfolds with genuine vulnerability, supported by harmony that feels both lush and clear, creating a performance experience that feels intimate even in a full choir setting.

High school and adult choirs seeking accessible pop literature that doesn't insult singers' musicianship. This octavo works equally well for concert choirs wanting to build confidence in contemporary arrangements and pop ensembles looking for a piece with genuine emotional weight.

• Lean into the lyrical quality of the melody in the upper voices. This song thrives when singers treat it as song rather than exercise, which means attending to phrase shape and breathing naturally rather than robotically.
• Balance the lower voices carefully during sustained harmonies. Their foundation work is essential to the piece's warmth, but they should never overwhelm the top line.
• Use the recorded accompaniment to lock in the groove, but resist letting it dictate your tempo. Small freedoms in phrasing will make the performance feel alive and human.

Program this as a concert centerpiece or an encore that leaves audiences moved. Its popularity means many listeners will know the tune, which can work to your advantage: singers often perform with greater confidence and connection when the material is familiar enough to let go of note-reading anxiety.

• Sustaining legato melodic lines in a contemporary pop context
• Balancing vocal blend across four-part harmony
• Following a recorded accompaniment while maintaining musical independence
• Interpreting lyrics with emotional authenticity rather than technical precision