Make a Little Music: 2-Part Choral Octavo

Beck's gospel-inflected harmonic language and ear for what energizes an audience shine throughout this piece. The strategic use of body percussion and layered vocal writing transforms what could be a standard opener into something your singers will actually want to perform, and the included ChoreoTrax video removes the guesswork from staging so you can focus on musicianship.

Gospel energy meets contemporary pop sensibility in a piece that builds momentum through layers of harmony and physical movement. The rolling river imagery and water metaphors create an almost kinetic sense of flow, and the successive key changes lift the piece higher with each phrase until it feels like it might burst through the ceiling.

This piece lands perfectly for middle school and high school choirs looking for an accessible, high-energy opener that doesn't sacrifice musical substance. The 2-part writing keeps it singable for younger or developing singers while the contemporary style and rhythmic energy make it feel relevant rather than academic.

• Nail the body percussion breakdown by practicing the rhythm section separately first, then layering in the vocal parts once everyone feels secure with their parts
• Emphasize the gospel swing in the harmonic progressions; even at moderate tempos, a slight rhythmic lilt in the eighth notes will unlock the style
• Approach each key change as a lift in energy rather than a moment to reset; keep the forward momentum from one modulation into the next
• Use the recorded accompaniment to lock in the groove during early rehearsals, then gradually reduce reliance on it so singers develop confidence in their own harmonic sense

Open a concert with this and you've immediately signaled that your program will be engaging and well-crafted. It also works beautifully as a festival or competition opener where you want to showcase your ensemble's rhythmic precision and sense of joy alongside their vocal control. The body percussion element and staging potential make it memorable enough to stick with audiences long after the program ends.

• Reading and performing two-part choral voicing with independence
• Gospel-style harmonic movement and voice leading
• Executing body percussion rhythms while maintaining vocal line integrity
• Navigating multiple key changes and modulations
• Layered vocal textures and stacked harmony awareness
• Rhythmic precision in contemporary and gospel idioms