I Am Song: 2-Part Choral Octavo

The Celtic-inspired melodic language sits naturally for 2-part voices, and the 6/8 meter gives it forward momentum without requiring extreme vocal maturity. Burrows has written lyrics that resonate beyond the music itself, offering a piece that works equally well as a concert opener, closing statement, or festival selection without feeling generic.

Luminous and forward-moving, with the lilting 6/8 meter creating a sense of gentle propulsion rather than heaviness. The sweeping choral writing builds to genuinely epic moments without requiring dramatic vocal prowess, instead relying on unified phrasing and clear emotional commitment.

Directors of middle and high school choirs, community and adult choirs, and children's ensembles seeking a meaningful secular piece that feels both accessible and substantial. The 2-part voicing makes it practical for emerging choirs while the musical content and lyrical depth reward singers of any experience level.

• Shape the phrasing through the breath rather than at bar lines; the sweeping choral lines gain power when treated as continuous musical gestures within the 6/8 pulse.
• Balance treble and lower voices so the Celtic character remains luminous; avoid letting the piece settle into heaviness despite its epic effect.
• If using recorded accompaniment, allow singers to hear it in full rehearsal before adding their parts so they absorb the harmonic movement and emotional arc.
• Attend carefully to the lyrics as character work; the metaphorical language about song itself deserves expressive delivery that communicates meaning, not just technical accuracy.

Program this as a concert opener to establish a reflective, artistically ambitious tone for your set, or as a closing piece that sends audiences home with an affirming message about music's role in human expression. It also serves as an excellent festival selection where the combination of accessibility and artistic substance can impress adjudicators.

• Reading and performing in 6/8 meter with consistent pulse
• Shaping long, connected melodic lines across multiple phrases
• Blending two distinct vocal lines while maintaining independence and clarity
• Expressive interpretation of lyrics that carry metaphorical meaning
• Breath placement for phrase coherence rather than bar-line stopping