Hymn of Hope: Choral Works (Secular) - Upper Voices

Sixten writes for upper voices with genuine sensitivity to their range and blend, creating pieces that sound intentional rather than transposed. The secular focus gives you repertoire that works outside traditional liturgical settings, perfect for concert programs that need contemporary choral color.

Contemporary but lyrical, these pieces balance modernist language with accessibility. The upper voice writing creates transparency and clarity while maintaining emotional depth characteristic of Northern European composition.

Directors building a diverse choral library with contemporary secular works and singers who want to explore modern compositional approaches at the upper voice range. This collection suits intermediate-to-advanced ensembles comfortable with contemporary harmony.

• Balance the blend carefully across sections; upper voices are prone to edge, so encourage singers to think toward a unified vowel rather than individual projection.
• Work the texts thoroughly before tackling music. Sixten's secular approach often relies on clear diction to land meaning, and precision here shapes phrasing naturally.
• Check the score for harmonic doublings that might be deceptive. Upper voice writing sometimes hides the root movement, so map it out during preparation.

Program these alongside traditional repertoire to show choral literature's range or use them as anchors for concerts centered on secular themes. The 12-page format makes them flexible for mixed programming without overwhelming a single concert.

• Reading contemporary harmonic language and non-traditional voice leading
• Blending in upper voice ranges without strain or edge
• Performing secular texts with dramatic intention and clarity
• Ensemble intonation in modern contexts with chromatic writing