I Am Light (arr. Mark Hayes and Kimberly Lilley): SATB Choral Octavo

Hayes and Lilley have created an arrangement that honors India.Arie's intimate songwriting while expanding the piece into something communal. The SATB voicing sits comfortably across ranges, and the modern pop sensibility gives your singers repertoire that feels current without sacrificing musical substance.

The piece radiates quiet confidence and introspection. There is warmth in the harmonic language and sincerity in the message, creating a performance moment that feels less like entertainment and more like a shared affirmation among singers and audience members.

Choirs seeking contemporary repertoire with substance beyond trend. Works well for high school through adult ensembles comfortable with modern idioms and looking to program pieces that speak to current students' experiences and values.

• Encourage singers to internalize the message of affirmation before rehearsal begins. This song demands authenticity, not just technical accuracy.
• Balance the texture by letting upper voices sustain while lower voices provide harmonic support. The arrangement likely builds in layers, so clarity comes from understanding each part's role in the whole.
• Shape phrases with natural speech rhythms rather than treating them as purely musical gestures. Pop phrasing values conversational flow.
• Record a rehearsal track isolating each voice part separately so singers can study their line independently between rehearsals.

Program this as a concert centerpiece when building a set around themes of identity, resilience, or social-emotional learning. It bridges the gap between traditional choral fare and music your singers already listen to, making it valuable for recruitment and for demonstrating the range your program encompasses.

• Sustaining lyrical lines across phrase boundaries
• Balancing pop idioms with choral blend
• Connecting emotional content to vocal delivery
• Reading and performing contemporary harmonic language