Come Away To The Skies: SA Choral Octavo

Leavitt's setting opens this text to singers who thrive with a lighter vocal load without sacrificing the devotional warmth the lyrics demand. The SA voicing allows directors to build confidence in younger or developing singers while maintaining genuine musical substance.

The piece carries a serene, inviting quality that draws listeners into quiet contemplation. Leavitt's accompaniment balances simplicity with harmonic interest, creating an arrangement that feels both intimate and complete.

This arrangement suits middle school and early high school choirs, particularly those looking to add sacred repertoire to their concert programs without overwhelming less experienced singers. It also works well for community choirs and adult singing groups seeking straightforward, singable literature.

• Pay attention to the text painting in the accompaniment; it often signals interpretive moments that clarify the harmonic movement for the singers.
• Balance the blend by asking sopranos to blend down slightly on sustained notes, especially where the second part moves beneath the melody.
• Shape the phrase arcs by planning your breath points in advance so the text feels naturally delivered rather than mechanically sectioned.

Position this as an opening number for a concert devoted to sacred music, or pair it with other meditative choral works to create a reflective program section. It also serves well as a processional or recessional piece when your liturgical calendar calls for sacred content.

• Sustaining longer note values with consistent breath support
• Blending voices in two-part writing with clear harmonic function
• Interpreting text with musical intention and emotional sincerity