May a Rainbow Run Beside You: SATB Choral Octavo

Burrows has given you something rare: a parting song with genuine emotional weight that doesn't rely on tired tropes. The text draws from multiple Irish blessings, layering different sentiments into one cohesive arc. Singers report actually wanting to rehearse this piece, which tells you everything about the quality of the melody and the care taken in the voicing.

Warm and unhurried, with the gentle forward motion of a blessing spoken genuinely rather than recited. The melody settles into your ear immediately, and the harmonies support it without overshadowing it. There's room to breathe between phrases, creating moments of real quiet reflection.

This works beautifully for any SATB choir looking for a meaningful closing piece for spring or graduation concerts. It reaches beyond the obvious occasions, too; many directors return to it year after year as a program staple that never feels dated.

• Balance the lyrical lines across all four voices; the warmth of this arrangement comes from blend rather than individual soloists pushing through.
• Shape phrases through breath and dynamic contour rather than tempo fluctuation. Let the text guide the musical storytelling.
• If using the recorded accompaniment, rehearse with it early and often. Singers need to feel secure with the harmonic foundation before polishing their own parts.

Close your spring concert with this. It gives audiences a graceful exit and leaves them with something contemplative. You might also consider it as a thoughtful response to a serious piece earlier in the program, or as a unifying moment when multiple choir groups perform it together at a festival or combined concert.

• Sustaining legato vowel sounds across phrase boundaries
• Balancing four independent lines while maintaining harmonic blend
• Interpreting textual meaning through dynamic and expressive phrasing
• Singing sustained notes with consistent tone color