Clouds Cover Image

Clouds: SoundTrax Digital Audio Download

$27.99 USD
Sale price  $27.99 USD Regular price 
Skip to product information
Clouds Cover Image

Clouds: SoundTrax Digital Audio Download

Words and music by Zach Sobiech / arr. Jason J. Hansen and Theresa Thomas / ed. Greg Gilpin

Item: 00-A-00015592

$27.99
Digital Download
Description

Clouds: SoundTrax Digital Audio Download isn't in MakeMusic Cloud just yet...but it could be. Let us know you'd like to see it, and you'll help shape what comes next. In the meantime, start a free trial and dive into thousands of interactive titles your students can play along with today.

Sample Pages

No sample pages found.

Sample Audio
0:00
0:00
Sample Video
Additional Details
Series: Alfred Pop Choral Series
Publisher: Alfred Music
SKU: 00-A-00015592

More about this title

About the Composer: Zach Sobiech

Zach Sobiech was a singer-songwriter from Minnesota whose music touched thousands of listeners with its honesty and emotional directness. Before his death in 2013, he released the album "Clouds" and worked with various artists to share his compositions; the title track became widely known for its poignant lyrics about mortality and hope.

For choral educators, Sobiech's work offers an accessible entry point into contemporary songwriting that resonates with student singers. His melodies sit naturally in the voice, and his lyrics address themes that young performers care about, making rehearsals feel purposeful rather than technical.

Why we love this

This arrangement captures the intimacy of Sobiech's original without sacrificing choral depth. Hansen's voicing allows mixed choirs to own the song emotionally while the recorded accompaniment keeps rehearsals moving forward, freeing you to focus on phrasing and genuine expression rather than fighting pitch issues.

What to expect

Gentle and reflective, with moments of quiet strength. The piece builds gradually rather than shouting, inviting singers and listeners into an intimate conversation about what endures when life becomes fragile. There's acceptance in the harmony and wisdom in the simplicity.

Who it's for

Mixed choirs and treble choirs alike will find this piece approachable and meaningful. Whether you're programming contemporary sacred or secular work, working with high school or college singers, or building a concert around songs that matter to young performers, this arrangement fits naturally into your season.

How to get the most out of it

  • Let the lyrics drive dynamics rather than forcing volume changes; the emotional arc of the text will naturally shape when the choir sings louder or softer.
  • Use the recorded accompaniment in early rehearsals to establish the harmonic sound world quickly, then gradually pull it back as your singers gain independence.
  • Attend to vowel consistency across the ensemble, especially in the sustained moments where blend becomes audible; this song rewards a unified, warm tone.
  • Consider bringing in the original recording so your singers hear Sobiech's phrasing and intention before you build your own interpretation.

How to use it

Program this at the heart of a concert centered on contemporary voices or alongside other pop arrangements to show your audience what modern choral music can do. It also works powerfully as a standalone piece in memorial programs, spring concerts, or any context where you want your choir to connect with an audience emotionally rather than dazzle them technically.

Skills your students will build

  • Singing sustained harmonic layers without depending on an accompaniment
  • Shaping phrase dynamics according to lyrical content rather than traditional musical notation
  • Blending vowels in contemporary pop voicings
  • Interpreting modern songwriting conventions in a choral context

You May Also Like