Every Night When the Sun Goes In: Choral Octavo SoundTrax CD

Waggoner's treatment of this Appalachian melody respects both the tune's character and the developmental arc a choir needs. Beginning in unison ensures every singer finds confidence with the melody before moving into canon work and harmonic color, making it genuinely singable at any level without sacrificing musical interest.

The piece unfolds like a melody you already know by heart, becoming richer each time you revisit it. There's an honest warmth to the Appalachian tune itself, and Waggoner's arrangement honors that simplicity while gradually inviting the full choir to participate in its emotional landscape.

This octavo suits newly mixed choirs, volunteer church singers, and elementary or middle school ensembles discovering part-singing. The progressive harmonic development means advanced high school and community choirs will also find it worthwhile for concert programming or workshops focused on folk song interpretation.

• Establish the unison section with unhurried phrasing that lets the melody's contours breathe naturally. The Appalachian roots call for an easy, conversational quality rather than precision-driven singing.
• When introducing the rhythmic canon, drill the entrances separately by voice part first, then layer them slowly to build security before reaching tempo.
• Use the recorded accompaniment to lock the harmonic foundation during the full-choir section, allowing singers to focus on blend and intonation as the texture expands.
• Shape the final harmonies with attention to vowel clarity; the richer voicing works best when every part articulates distinctly rather than blending into opacity.

This works beautifully as an opening number on a concert focused on American roots music or as a reflective moment between more dramatic selections. Its accessibility and clear structural arc make it ideal for family concerts, community sing events, or any program where you want a piece that feels genuinely welcoming to singers and listeners alike.

• Singing unison melody with phrase awareness
• Entering accurately in rhythmic canon
• Balancing multiple harmonic lines
• Using recorded accompaniment as a rehearsal and performance tool