By John Leavitt / As performed by Mary Elizabeth Frye
Item: 35-DS00141985
Digital Download
$2.99
Minimum order quantity: 10 copies
Please note: Under U.S. copyright law, you must purchase the exact number of copies needed for your ensemble. Printing, duplicating or sharing additional copies is strictly prohibited.
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Description
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John Leavitt stands among the most performed choral composers in America, with a catalog spanning concert works, educational pieces, and sacred music. His writing consistently balances accessibility with artistic substance, making him a trusted voice for directors who need repertoire that engages singers without sacrificing musical integrity.
Why we love this
Leavitt sets Mary Elizabeth Frye's beloved poem with genuine emotional restraint. Rather than reaching for manipulative gestures, he lets the text unfold through clean counterpoint and strategic harmonic shifts that feel earned. Your singers will connect to the humanity in this piece without ever feeling overwrought.
What to expect
Contemplative without being heavy. The piece carries genuine weight through its restraint, moving listeners through reflection rather than display. Leavitt's setting honors both the profundity of the text and the quiet moments that make its meaning resonate.
Who it's for
This octavo serves directors working with intermediate to advanced adult choirs and skilled high school ensembles. The part writing sits comfortably within standard ranges while demanding careful ensemble listening and mature musicality.
How to get the most out of it
Emphasize the text clarity in the opening phrases; this poem deserves to be heard as speech first, music second.
Shape the harmonic progressions with subtle dynamic shaping rather than abrupt changes. Leavitt's voice leading rewards singers who listen horizontally.
Balance the SATB texture so no single voice dominates during the full ensemble sections; these moments hinge on blend and transparency.
Allow space for breath and reflection between phrases where the text calls for it; this isn't a showpiece demanding constant forward motion.
How to use it
Position this in a program where its reflective quality can breathe alongside more spirited repertoire. It serves equally well as a poignant concert closer or paired with other works exploring memory and legacy.
Skills your students will build
Maintaining harmonic balance across four independent voices
Phrasing text according to poetic meaning rather than melodic shape
Reading and executing Leavitt's characteristic voice leading and part relationships
Sustaining emotional authenticity without excessive dynamic gesture
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