Like an Eagle: SATB Choral Octavo

Strommen writes music that sounds and feels like a hit the moment your choir first sings it. The building intensity and emotional arc make this ballad the kind of piece that motivates students to practice and gives them a genuine sense of accomplishment in performance. It's a legitimate crowd-pleaser that works equally well at spring concerts, graduations, or Earth Day celebrations.

Like an Eagle captures the triumphant, soaring quality its title promises. The music builds from a contemplative foundation into an exhilarating climax that leaves both singers and listeners energized. There's nobility and uplift here, paired with the kind of accessible melody that sticks with people long after the final chord.

This octavo works beautifully for intermediate to advanced choirs seeking repertoire with genuine emotional impact. Whether you're programming a spring concert, honoring graduates, or marking a seasonal or environmental occasion, this piece gives singers a rewarding challenge and audiences a memorable moment.

• Start with dynamic restraint in the opening sections; the power of this piece lives in its cumulative energy, so save your full sound for the climactic moments.
• Blend the chord progressions carefully during the build; clean voice leading keeps the intensity focused rather than chaotic as the arrangement thickens.
• Use the recorded accompaniment to establish tempo and harmonic foundation, then have your choir learn to lock into the groove independently during rehearsal.

Position this in the second half of a concert where it can serve as a powerful emotional centerpiece or closer. Its graduation and Earth Day associations make spring programming natural, but the universal themes and pure musicality mean it fits a variety of concert themes. The 12-page length allows it to anchor a segment without overwhelming the overall concert structure.

• Building and controlling dynamic intensity across a long phrase
• Balancing individual voice parts within increasingly complex chord textures
• Sustaining ensemble blend and intonation during accelerating harmonic movement
• Responding to recorded accompaniment while maintaining ensemble independence