My Hands: SATB Choral Octavo

The piece inhabits a quiet, introspective space that gradually opens outward. There's vulnerability in the early phrases that transforms into quiet conviction by the end, creating an arc of offering and acceptance that feels both personal and universal.

This octavo works beautifully for adult choirs, strong high school programs, and church choirs seeking contemporary sacred repertoire that doesn't require soloists or elaborate staging. The SATB voicing is straightforward enough for developing singers while offering enough textural interest to keep experienced ensembles engaged.

• Shape the dynamic arc carefully across the eight pages. The piece gains power through gradual intensification rather than sudden shifts, so let the text naturally guide your tempo and volume choices.
• Balance the parts so the text remains crystal clear. In SATB writing, diction matters enormously when you're exploring intimate themes, so give attention to consonant clarity without sacrificing legit.
• Consider how silence functions in this piece. Rests between phrases create space for reflection and prevent the choir from rushing into the next musical thought.

Pair this with older spiritual traditions or hymn-based works to create a program exploring different musical languages around faith and service. It also stands powerfully as a closing piece for a concert or worship service, leaving the audience in reflection rather than applause.

• Singing with emotional nuance and restraint in sacred music
• Balancing four-part SATB harmony while maintaining text clarity
• Shaping phrases through dynamic control rather than tempo manipulation
• Interpreting contemporary choral writing that draws on spiritual traditions