Jo dziedaju, jo skaneja (The More I Sing, the More My Voice Resounds): Mixed Voices (SSSAATB)

The seven-part voicing gives treble and lower sections room to bloom independently, preventing the typical crowding that happens when you force folksong arrangements into standard four-part harmony. Jekabsone's setting captures genuine joy without sentimentality, letting the text and melody carry the emotional weight while the harmony supports rather than adorns.

The piece radiates infectious optimism, anchored by a folk melody that sounds both ancient and immediately singable. Underneath runs harmonic movement that feels modern but never distant, creating a sound that is warm, spacious, and full of light.

Choirs with intermediate-to-advanced reading skills and at least 20-24 singers can distribute the seven parts comfortably. This works equally well for treble-dominated ensembles (casting some soprano lines with altos or adding a second tenor section) and fully mixed community choirs.

• Balance the three soprano lines carefully in rehearsal; assign them to different sections of your ensemble if needed to ensure none disappears into the chord.
• Shape the piece through vowel consistency across all seven parts simultaneously; unified vowels matter more than precise intonation when managing this many voices.
• Let the rhythmic vitality of the folksong drive the interpretation rather than approaching it with restraint; this arrangement rewards singers who commit to its infectious spirit.

Pair this with other Latvian or Baltic folksong arrangements to build a thematic concert set, or use it as an energetic contrast to more introspective contemporary choral work. The piece also serves well as a first rehearsal experience for singers new to mixed-voice ensembles, since the folksong melody provides structural security even as the voicing challenges them.

• Reading and sustaining independent lines within seven-part harmony
• Balancing multiple soprano parts while maintaining ensemble blend
• Handling non-traditional voicing distributions (SSSAATB) with confidence
• Interpreting folksong arrangements with stylistic authenticity