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I Have a Dream: Unison/2-Part Choral Octavo

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I Have a Dream Cover Image

I Have a Dream: Unison/2-Part Choral Octavo

Music by Mary Donnelly / arr. George L. O. Strid

Item: 00-7634

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Description
A powerful ballad full of determination emphasizing the will to follow your dreams. Use the Alfred SoundTrax.

Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, I Have a Dream: Unison/2-Part Choral Octavo comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.

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Additional Details
Series: Alfred Archive Edition: Alfred Choral Designs
Publisher: Alfred Music
Page Count: 8
UPC: 038081011011
SKU: 00-7634

More about this title

About the Composer: Mary Donnelly

Mary Donnelly

Mary Donnelly grew up in Reno, Nevada, and initially pursued English and French at the University of Nevada, Reno. While still an undergraduate, she founded and directed two children's choruses, an experience that redirected her entire career. She returned to school to earn her teaching credential, completing a Master's Degree in Education at Lesley College in Cambridge, Massachusetts, where she focused on arts integration across the curriculum.

Donnelly spent thirty years teaching general music and choir in the Washoe County School District, working with elementary and middle school students. In 1985, while team-teaching with George L. O. Strid, she began a prolific composing partnership that has produced over two hundred songs and twenty-five musicals. She is an active member of ACDA, NEA, and ASCAP, and currently resides in Reno with her husband.

Why we love this

This arrangement captures the essence of an inspirational ballad without requiring advanced vocal technique or complex harmonic demands. The unison/2-part writing makes it accessible to developing choirs while the recorded accompaniment provides solid support for rehearsals and performance. Directors will appreciate having a meaningful, motivational piece that sings well and connects genuinely with young performers.

What to expect

The piece radiates quiet conviction and forward momentum. It's the sound of someone standing firm in their beliefs, speaking earnestly rather than bombastically. The ballad form allows space for reflection while the harmonic language supports an undercurrent of hope and determination.

Who it's for

This octavo fits middle school choirs, beginning high school ensembles, and any choir looking for a unison or 2-part arrangement with immediate, genuine impact. The accessible voicing makes it ideal for developing singers who are ready to tackle meaningful repertoire without the vocal demands of more complex writing.

How to get the most out of it

  • Support the legit line with consistent, connected breath placement. This ballad demands sustained phrasing that emphasizes the lyrical content over technical display.
  • Balance text clarity with musical line. The message of determination needs clean diction, but not at the expense of the song's flowing arc.
  • Allow the accompaniment to breathe with your singers. The recorded SoundTrax works best when the choir responds to its tempo and harmonic support rather than pushing against it.
  • Shape the dynamic arc deliberately. A piece about will and dreams needs to build intentionally, avoiding a static delivery across the eight pages.

How to use it

Program this as a centerpiece for a concert celebrating student aspirations, social-emotional themes, or resilience. It works equally well as a spring concert solo feature or as part of a larger thematic program about growth and courage. The eight-page length and straightforward voicing make it manageable for schools preparing for festivals or assemblies.

Skills your students will build

  • sustaining legit vocal line over eight pages
  • text-based interpretation and emotional delivery
  • independent part-singing in 2-part writing
  • responding to recorded accompaniment without losing ensemble cohesion

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