On Stronger Wings: 2-Part Choral Octavo

Lantz crafts an uplifting choral experience that never feels saccharine. The eagle metaphor gives singers something concrete to visualize and embody, and the text partnered with John Parker's imagery propels the music forward with genuine emotional lift rather than hollow inspiration.

Soaring and energized, with a sense of freedom and upward motion. The piece captures the exhilaration of flight while maintaining an emotional groundedness that makes the metaphor resonate rather than escape into abstraction.

High school choirs of moderate ability will find a piece that's genuinely rewarding without requiring advanced techniques or excessive rehearsal time. The 2-part writing accommodates mixed voice groups while remaining engaging for stronger ensembles.

• Shape the opening phrases to mirror the eagle's gliding motion; think legato and connected vowels rather than separated syllables.
• Let the text about rising and soaring inform your dynamic choices; build gradually rather than jumping to full volume.
• Balance the two voice parts so the melody line remains clear while the supporting part provides harmonic weight without shadowing the top line.
• Work with your singers on breath placement in longer phrases so the "mighty wind" image feels supported, not strained.

Pair this with other contemporary secular pieces to showcase the range of choral writing available at this level, or place it late in a concert to send audiences out with genuine uplift. It works equally well as a spring concert highlight or as a program-closer that leaves listeners with a sense of possibility.

• Sustaining legato phrases across multiple measures
• Balance between 2-part voicing with melodic clarity
• Interpretive use of text to shape phrasing and dynamics
• Breath control and support in rising melodic lines