Child of the Universe: PianoTrax Digital Audio Download

$9.99 USD

Child of the Universe: PianoTrax Digital Audio Download

Words by Max Ehrmann, music by Douglas E. Wagner

Item: 00-A-00016323

$9.99

Digital Download

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Series: Alfred Choral Designs

Publisher: Alfred Music

SKU: 00-A-00016323

More about this title

About the Composer: Douglas E. Wagner

Douglas E. Wagner grew up in Chicago and earned degrees in music from Butler University before spending three decades in high school music education and administration. Since 1973, he has composed and arranged more than 3,500 works across multiple genres: choral music for school and church settings, concert band, orchestra, handbell ensemble, organ, piano, and voice.

Wagner's compositions have been performed in concert halls throughout the United States and internationally, with recordings broadcast on radio and television. His music has sold over seventeen million copies worldwide. He lives in Indianapolis with his wife, Sandy, and continues to compose full-time.

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Why we love this

Wagner's graduation repertoire stands out for its genuine emotional depth without sentimentality. The poetic text and musical setting create a moment of reflection that resonates with students facing transition, making it equally effective at ceremonies and festival competitions where it can hold its own against far more elaborate pieces.

What to expect

The music balances accessibility with sophistication, creating space for the poetic text to resonate. Listeners hear a thoughtful meditation on identity and connection rather than a celebratory anthem, with the harmony unfolding in ways that feel both surprising and inevitable.

Who it's for

This piece is designed for high school and church choirs seeking meaningful graduation or celebratory repertoire. It works equally well for groups performing at concerts, festivals, or ceremonies where the combination of accessible writing and profound text creates a memorable moment.

How to get the most out of it

Balance the harmonic movement carefully so the lyrical elements remain prominent; the recorded accompaniment can help anchor intonation through sustained chords.
Shape phrases around the text's natural cadences rather than following strict metric divisions, allowing the literary content to guide your interpretive choices.
Establish a consistent vowel shape across voice parts during sustained notes to unify the choir's sound in the piece's reflective moments.

How to use it

Open a graduation concert with this piece to set a reflective tone, or place it near the end of a set to leave audiences with something contemplative to carry with them. The literary quality pairs well with secular choral works that also prioritize language and meaning, and it works beautifully as a standalone feature in chamber choir or festival programming.