Laudate!: SATB Choral Octavo

Leavitt constructs 'Laudate!' with genuine rhythmic vitality and architectural purpose. The neo-Baroque language gives the piece immediate character while the moderate difficulty level means your singers can focus on clean articulation and sustained momentum rather than wrestling with complex notation. This is the kind of work that energizes an ensemble during rehearsal and leaves an audience wanting to hear it again.

The piece carries an unmistakable celebratory energy, with Baroque-inflected rhythms that propel the music forward. Expect a sense of architectural clarity and architectural drive; this isn't introspective music but rather a work that builds momentum through repetition, syncopation, and carefully timed climax points. The text setting is buoyant and the overall character is one of affirmation and joy.

This octavo works well for high school choirs, community choirs with mixed experience levels, and select middle school choirs with strong ensemble discipline. The moderate grade and straightforward SATB voicing make it accessible to singers still building their confidence, while the compositional sophistication rewards choirs ready to tackle concert or festival programming with purpose.

• Treat the Baroque-style rhythms as precise but dance-like; articulation should feel deliberate without becoming stiff. Establish a clear pulse early in rehearsals so singers understand where the drive toward climax begins.
• Bring out the text naturally within the rhythmic framework. The interplay between word stress and musical accent will define the energy of the piece, especially in build sections.
• If using optional percussion, coordinate their articulation carefully with the choir's diction. Percussion should enhance clarity and momentum, not muddy the harmonic texture.
• Conduct with clear, purposeful gestures that communicate both the sectional work needed and the overall arc toward climax. Your singers will respond to your conviction about where the piece is heading.

Program 'Laudate!' as a centerpiece work on a sacred concert or festival round. Its moderate difficulty and exciting character make it an excellent choice to program between a slower, more contemplative piece and a lighter closing number, creating a balanced emotional arc for the audience. The piece also functions well as a contest selection where clean execution and musicianship will make a strong impression.

• Baroque-style articulation and rhythmic precision in ensemble singing
• Sustaining forward momentum and phrase direction over longer musical statements
• Balancing sectional independence with unified choral sound in SATB texture
• Clean diction at moderate to brisk tempos
• Building and releasing tension through dynamic and rhythmic control