My Shadow: 2-Part Choral Octavo

This setting captures the whimsy of Stevenson's poem without talking down to young singers. The occasional rounds and tuneful writing keep energy high while the two-part texture remains manageable for elementary and middle school choirs.

Bright and imaginative, with a conversational quality that mirrors a child's voice. The melodies feel natural and unforced, and the occasional moment of musical play (the rounds) lands with charm rather than complexity.

Elementary and early middle school choirs will find this piece approachable and fun. It works equally well for programs that feature Stevenson texts or for directors building a spring concert around lighter, character-driven material.

• Emphasize the playfulness in the text. Young singers often sing about shadows with too much seriousness; let them enjoy the humor of a shadow that jumps into bed.
• Balance the two parts so neither voice dominates. In sections with rounds or overlapping material, encourage singers to listen across the ensemble.
• Shape phrases by the punctuation and sense of the poem, not just by the musical phrase endings. This helps the text remain clear and the story audible.

This pairs naturally with other settings from the Stevenson series, or it can stand alone as a featured piece on a concert celebrating poetry and childhood. Its modest length and cheerful tone make it ideal for a concert's opening or as a palate-cleanser between heavier selections.

• Two-part singing with independence between voices
• Round singing and overlapping vocal lines
• Text clarity and expressive phrasing
• Following a narrative through music