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Equality: SATB Choral Octavo

$2.15 USD
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Equality Cover Image
Equality: SATB Choral Octavo

Equality: SATB Choral Octavo

From Like Dust I Rise (A Choral Song Cycle)

Text by Maya Angelou, music by Mark Hayes

Item: 00-46419
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Description
This contemporary gospel-style rouser denounces oppression and serves as a choral anthem for equal rights. A confident solo voice helps deliver a determined message in the unwavering words of Maya Angelou. If performing as a set, an alternate ending segues directly into the closing movement of Like Dust I Rise. When performing separately, Mark Hayes includes an upward modulation that propels us to the final, most spirited refrain.

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Sample Pages

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2 SATB Recording --:--

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Additional Details
Series: Alfred Choral Designs
Publisher: Alfred Music
Page Count: 20
UPC: 038081527987
SKU: 00-46419

More about this title

About the Composer: Mark Hayes

Mark Hayes

Mark Hayes has composed over 1,750 works across nearly every musical genre, establishing himself as one of the most prolific and versatile voices in contemporary choral and piano music. His credentials span from conducting prestigious ensembles at Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall to premiering large-scale works like his Requiem at the Vatican in 2014. Hayes earned his degree summa cum laude in Piano Performance from Baylor University and received the Award for Exemplary Leadership in Christian Music from his alma mater in 2010.

Beyond his sacred music catalog, Hayes has demonstrated equal skill in theatrical and orchestral work, composing the score for Civil War Voices (which won six awards at the Midtown International Theatre Festival) and orchestrating the musical Madame Buttermilk. His output reflects a composer equally at home writing for piano, orchestra, treble voices, or mixed ensembles. Based in Kansas City, Missouri, Hayes continues to balance international conducting engagements with an active compositional practice.

Why we love this

Mark Hayes captures the urgency of social justice in contemporary gospel language without sacrificing sophistication in the harmonic writing. The solo voice creates a natural focal point for Maya Angelou's words while the ensemble builds collective power around that testimony. The dual ending option (modulation for standalone performance, or segue into Like Dust I Rise for a multi-movement set) gives directors real programming flexibility.

What to expect

Equality pulses with conviction and momentum, driven by a steady gospel groove that refuses to let the listener sit passively. The pairing of Angelou's defiant words with Hayes's confident harmonic language creates an anthem that feels both urgent and utterly resolute.

Who it's for

Choirs seeking repertoire with contemporary relevance and social conscience will find a strong vehicle in this piece. High school and college ensembles comfortable with gospel idioms and comfortable taking on text-driven material will connect most directly with Hayes's writing.

How to get the most out of it

  • Balance the solo voice forward throughout without letting the SATB texture retreat. This arrangement thrives on the tension between individual witness and communal response.
  • The gospel idiom calls for rhythmic precision in the accompaniment and a conversational ease in the melody; avoid making the style feel overly formal or stiff.
  • If you're using the modulation ending, rehearse the moment of key change carefully so the ensemble feels the shift in energy rather than stumbling into it.
  • Let the recorded accompaniment anchor your rehearsals, especially for the rhythmic feel and groove that define the contemporary gospel sound.

How to use it

This piece works powerfully as the centerpiece of a justice-focused or brotherhood concert; it can also anchor a season exploring social themes through music. If you own Like Dust I Rise, the optional segue option transforms both pieces into a larger statement, making for a memorable closing movement to an evening.

Skills your students will build

  • Gospel articulation and rhythmic feel
  • Balancing solo and ensemble texture
  • Text interpretation and message delivery
  • Reading and executing modulation
  • Maintaining energetic ensemble focus over 20 pages

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