Give Us Peace: SATB, a cappella Choral Octavo

Name: Give Us Peace: SATB, a cappella Choral Octavo
Brand: Alfred Music
SKU: 00-47181
Price: 2.05 USD
Availability: InStock

Words and music by Robert DeCormier

Item: 00-47181

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Premiered by Robert DeCormier and Friends on the occasion of their tenth annual "Sing for Peace" concert in Burlington, Vermont, this powerful anthem is the last piece written by the prolific American arranger, composer, and conductor---just one month prior to his passing. Strong a cappella scoring reveals Mr. DeCormier's love of folk music, and striking original words impart a prayer for peace.

Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Give Us Peace: SATB, a cappella Choral Octavo comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.

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Series: Lawson-Gould

Publisher: Alfred Music

Page Count: 8

UPC: 038081539973

SKU: 00-47181

More about this title

About the Composer: Robert DeCormier

Robert DeCormier trained at Juilliard and built a career spanning Broadway, opera, and American folk music. He served as music director of the New York Choral Society for seventeen years, worked as conductor and arranger for Harry Belafonte, and held the position of music director for Peter, Paul and Mary from 1978 to 2010. He also taught conducting and ensembles at the Eastman School of Music from 1972 to 1977.

DeCormier's contributions to choral music extended beyond performance into institution building. He helped establish the Vermont Symphony Orchestra Chorus in 1993 and founded the professional ensemble Counterpoint in 2000, which recorded six albums and led workshops with high school choirs across New England. His compositional and arranging work drew from spirituals, American folk songs, and international repertoire. In 2002, he received the Vermont Governor's Award for Excellence in the Arts, and in 2006 the New England Choral Arts Foundation honored him with a Lifetime Achievement Award.

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Why we love this

This is DeCormier's final composition, written just weeks before his death, which makes it a profound addition to any repertoire seeking substantive content with real artistic weight. The piece pairs accessible a cappella writing rooted in folk sensibility with original poetry about peace, offering singers both musical and textual integrity. Directors programming concerts around themes of unity or social action will find this anthem carries genuine artistic authority rather than familiar platitudes.

What to expect

Grounded and earnest, this anthem draws strength from folk traditions while reaching toward something transcendent through its prayer for peace. The a cappella texture creates intimacy; voices working together without instrumental mediation feels both vulnerable and united.

Who it's for

High school and college choirs seeking a cappella repertoire with artistic substance. Directors programming peace, brotherhood, or social awareness themes will find this work authentic rather than tokenistic. Chamber choirs and festival ensembles looking for a four-part piece that challenges musicianship without excessive technical difficulty.

How to get the most out of it

Balance the four voices carefully in the opening passages; DeCormier's folk-influenced counterpoint relies on clear voice independence, so avoid blending parts into a homogeneous wash.
Let the text breathe naturally. The original words carry meaning that shapes phrasing, so work through the poem's imagery with your singers before focusing on technical execution.
Use dynamic contrast to clarify harmonic progression. Folk-rooted writing often benefits from subtle rises and falls that illuminate the melodic contours.

How to use it

Program this as a concert closer on a peace or brotherhood themed concert, where its emotional directness can resonate with full attention. It also serves well in festival settings or as a meaningful opener for any concert emphasizing unity and social values.