May a Rainbow Run Beside You: 2-Part Choral Octavo

Burrows has written a piece that genuinely sings well without sacrificing musical substance. The combination of traditional Irish blessing text with a warm, accessible melody gives directors a repertoire choice that works equally well as a concert closer or contest selection, and singers consistently ask to perform it again.

The melody moves with lyrical grace, never straining the voice while maintaining emotional depth. The piece radiates warmth and sincerity, grounded in the contemplative spirit of traditional Irish blessings and expressed through music that feels both accessible and genuinely moving.

This octavo suits treble choirs, mixed ensembles with divided upper voices, or concert choirs seeking a piece that appeals to singers without extensive reading experience. It works equally well for graduation ceremonies, spring concerts, or festival settings where heartfelt, singable literature is valued.

• Shape the phrases around the natural breathing points in the Irish blessing text; let the words guide your phrasing rather than cutting across phrase boundaries.
• Balance the two parts so neither voice dominates; the piece thrives when both lines feel equally important and supported.
• Find the emotional center of the piece by connecting with the blessing's message; singers who understand they're offering good wishes will bring genuine warmth to the performance.

Reserve this for a concert finale or significant transition moment where you want to send singers and audience away with a sense of hope and connection. It also pairs naturally with other world music selections or works built on folk traditions, and its message makes it particularly fitting for year-end celebrations or milestone performances.

• Singing in two-part harmony with independent voice parts
• Sustaining tone quality across phrase lengths
• Connecting text to musical expression
• Balancing blend between two vocal lines