Harmony's Never Too Late: Choral Octavo SoundTrax CD

Flaherty and Ahrens wrote this with genuine purpose, not as an afterthought, and that clarity of intent shines through every phrase. The pop accompaniment feels modern and energetic without overshadowing the singers, and the three voicings genuinely accommodate mixed-voice groups rather than forcing compromises. Programming a piece with this much musical integrity and thematic resonance elevates your entire concert.

Hopeful and celebratory, with the infectious energy of contemporary Broadway songwriting grounded in genuine harmonic richness. The music opens with strength and conviction, creating an immediate sense of uplift while the lyrics build toward their message of acceptance and belonging.

Directors programming mature high school and community choirs who want contemporary material with substance. This octavo works for any four-part ensemble structure, making it accessible to groups with changing or mixed voice distributions.

• Let the piano, bass, and drums lock into a groove from the first rehearsal rather than treating them as optional color. The accompaniment is the bedrock that allows your singers to commit fully to the anthem quality of the piece.
• Watch the balance between your lower and treble voices, particularly where the harmony becomes fuller. Mark Hayes's voicing is precise; unbalanced chords will lose the "harmony as acceptance" metaphor that drives the text.
• Lean into the theatrical character of the music. This comes from Broadway writing, and singers should approach it with the energy and commitment they'd bring to a stage production, not a concert hall reserve.
• Use the recorded accompaniment in early rehearsals to lock ensemble entrances and rhythmic precision, then gradually reduce reliance on it as internal confidence grows.

This anthem serves exceptionally well as a concert closer or as part of a programming block celebrating social themes and contemporary voices in choral music. Its combination of accessibility and artistic substance makes it particularly effective in mixed-age community settings where it can inspire both singers and audiences.

• Sustaining pop/contemporary vocal production within four-part harmony
• Rhythmic precision and ensemble lock in accompaniment-dependent writing
• Harmonic awareness and balance in full voiced chords
• Theatrical commitment and emotional communication in secular contemporary repertoire