Hush, Be Still (arr. Roger Emerson): Choral Instrumental Pak

Roger Emerson's arrangement transforms a tender lullaby into something that feels both intimate and festive without ever losing its simplicity. The flexibility to perform with just piano, or to layer in guitar and accordion, gives you genuine options for different concert contexts and ensemble sizes, making this work hard to pigeonhole as just another holiday selection.

A soft, glowing presence in the concert space. The lullaby's gentle rock and simple harmonic language create an atmosphere of calm reassurance, anchored by the option to add acoustic warmth through guitar and accordion that recalls folk tradition without feeling quaint.

Choirs seeking a moment of quiet beauty in holiday programming will find this piece especially valuable. It works well for mixed ensembles of any experience level and suits concert settings where you need contrast with more energetic or elaborate holiday fare.

• Shape the melody with a gentle legato line; this lullaby lives in its unhurried phrasing rather than dramatic gestures.
• If adding guitar and accordion, use them to create textural contrast between verse and refrain rather than filling every moment.
• Balance the choir's dynamic so the accompaniment (whichever instruments you choose) remains transparent and supportive.
• Let breath points align naturally with the text, avoiding over-punctuation that would interrupt the song's meditative quality.

Position this near the end of your holiday set as a moment of repose, especially if surrounded by more robust choral or orchestral arrangements. It also serves beautifully as a concert opener if you want to establish an intimate tone early.

• Singing with sustained, lyrical phrasing over flowing accompaniment
• Ensemble balance when blending voices with multiple instruments
• Interpreting music that relies on simplicity and emotional directness rather than technical display
• Adapting performance choices based on instrumentation options