Lovely Chance: SATB Choral Octavo

Narverud's setting transforms Teasdale's poetry into a visceral musical experience by pairing a propulsive, rhythmically unpredictable opening with a contrasting B section that deepens the emotional landscape. The mixed meters in the refrain demand genuine engagement from singers rather than relying on predictable patterns, and the optional hand drum part adds textural interest without complicating an already complex metric landscape. It's the kind of piece that energizes your choir while keeping audiences genuinely engaged.

The opening grabs immediate attention with its echoed, driving energy before dissolving into a dancelike groove built on unexpected metric shifts. The middle section invites singers and listeners into a quieter, more introspective space that gradually rebuilds momentum, returning to the spirited opening with renewed urgency and clarity.

SATB choirs seeking contemporary literature that challenges harmonic and rhythmic thinking while remaining accessible to intermediate-level singers. This piece suits both festival competitions and concert programming where you want to program something with genuine musical substance and distinctive character.

• Lock the mixed-meter refrain early in rehearsal by isolating the pattern phrase by phrase; having singers conduct their own part's rhythmic placement against the beat strengthens independence before full ensemble integration.
• Lean into the echo effect in the verse by carefully shaping dynamics and articulation between the primary line and its shadowed response; slight delays or timbral shifts can heighten the spatial effect without sacrificing clarity.
• If using the optional hand drum part, establish a clear hand-off between the accompanist and percussionist in the section transitions, ensuring the drum enters decisively without muddying the piano's rhythmic foundation.
• Resist over-slowing the B section's gradual growth; maintain forward momentum through the contemplative measures so the recapitulation feels like a natural return rather than a jarring gear shift.

Position this as a centerpiece in a concert that pairs contemporary secular choral literature, or feature it as your contemporary selection in a festival program where mixed-meter writing impresses adjudicators. Its narrative arc and tonal clarity also make it an excellent choice for connecting with audiences who appreciate poetry-inspired choral music with accessible but thoughtful musical language.

• Reading and performing mixed meters (particularly 3/4 and 4/4 alternation within a single section)
• Maintaining harmonic independence and blend during rhythmically driving passages
• Shaping dynamic arcs across longer phrases without losing forward momentum
• Coordinating ensemble sound when text repetition and metric complexity occur simultaneously
• Interpreting literary text with musical nuance (poetry/music relationship through Teasdale's work)