Music in My Soul: 2-Part Choral Octavo

This piece radiates confidence and joy. The accented groove propels you forward with infectious momentum while the lyrical hook reminds you why you sing in the first place. It feels like the musical equivalent of someone saying 'you've got this' right before you step on stage.

Middle school and high school choirs seeking contemporary repertoire that energizes singers without condescending to them. This works equally well for mixed ensembles and treble choirs, and the pop-rock idiom appeals to students who might not engage with traditional choral literature.

• Lock in the groove by rehearsing the rhythmic accents as a unified section first, then layer in the melody. The pocket matters more than perfect pitch here.
• Give soloists their own rehearsal time outside full ensemble calls. Even confident singers benefit from isolated work on their featured moments.
• Use the recorded accompaniment early and often. Students will internalize the rock feel faster by singing against the actual groove rather than a piano reduction.
• Balance the two parts so neither overwhelms the other. In unison sections, lock them together; in harmony passages, let each part maintain its own identity.

Program this alongside other contemporary pop-influenced pieces to create a full concert segment that speaks to your audience's musical world. It also works beautifully as an energetic closer that sends audiences out smiling, or as a confidence builder earlier in the year when students are still finding their footing.

• Rhythmic precision in syncopated, groove-based writing
• Part independence in pop-rock textures
• Solo performance confidence and stage presence
• Contemporary music interpretation and style
• Ensemble balance with emphasis on rhythmic cohesion over traditional blend