Children Will Run: 2-Part Choral Octavo

Waggoner captures something genuine here: the energy and innocence of children at play without resorting to cuteness or oversimplification. The piano writing deserves special mention; it's genuinely musical rather than merely functional, sometimes shadowing the voices and sometimes moving independently. That dual quality makes it engaging to rehearse and worth hearing in concert.

Tender and observational, as if you're watching children at play from a slight distance. The lyrical vocal lines feel natural and unhurried, while the piano creates a gentle, attentive presence that mirrors the piece's contemplative warmth.

This works beautifully for upper elementary through middle school choirs looking for emotionally accessible repertoire without talking down to singers. It also suits community and adult choirs wanting a refreshing contemporary piece that avoids both saccharine sentiment and atonality.

• Balance the two parts so neither dominates; the lyrical quality depends on blend rather than soloistic spotlight
• Observe the piano accompaniment's rhythmic independence in sections where it diverges from the vocal lines; it's not decoration but conversation
• Shape the phrasing through vowel consistency and legit connection rather than dramatic dynamics; this piece whispers rather than shouts

Pair this with other contemporary secular selections to create a thematic set about childhood, nature, or everyday wonder. It also works as a concert opener that immediately engages the audience with accessible beauty, or as a standalone concert piece that demonstrates your choir's musical maturity without technical pyrotechnics.

• Sustaining legit, connected phrasing across multiple phrases
• Balancing two independent vocal lines in close harmony
• Listening to the piano as an equal musical voice rather than merely support
• Building emotional interpretation from lyrical content and gentle musical setting