On the Pulse of Morning: Choral SoundPax
From Like Dust I Rise (A Choral Song Cycle)
Text by Maya Angelou, music by Mark Hayes
Item: 00-PK-0007492
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Description
In 1993, Maya Angelou recited this poem at the inauguration of President Bill Clinton, making her the first African American and the first female poet to deliver an inaugural recitation. Subsequently, Angelou's audio recording of "On the Pulse of Morning" won a Grammy Award® for "Best Spoken Word" in 1994. Mark Hayes opens with a resounding "See Me Rise" choral fanfare before presenting the hope-filled latter half of the poem with rhythmic exuberance. This is the opening movement from the song cycle Like Dust I Rise.
Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, On the Pulse of Morning: Choral SoundPax comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.
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Additional Details
Series:
Alfred Choral Designs
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
64
SKU:
00-PK-0007492
Instrumentation:
SoundPax
More about this title
About the Composer: Mark Hayes
Mark Hayes is a prolific composer, arranger, and conductor whose catalog spans over 1,750 published works across sacred and secular genres. A summa cum laude graduate in Piano Performance from Baylor University (1975), he has guest conducted at Lincoln Center, the National Cathedral, and Carnegie Hall, and received the 2010 Award for Exemplary Leadership in Christian Music from his alma mater.
Beyond his choral achievements, Hayes is deeply committed to piano composition, with more than 100 piano books in print ranging from gospel and classical to jazz and Broadway arrangements. He has conducted world premieres of major works, orchestrated musical theater productions, and served as a record producer. Based in Kansas City, Missouri, his compositional mission centers on creating accessible, moving music for singers and audiences worldwide.
Why we love this
Hayes crafts an immediate emotional arc here, opening with a powerful declarative gesture before shifting into the rhythmic, forward-moving energy that defines the poem's second half. The SoundPax format makes this accessible to choirs seeking substantive, historically grounded repertoire without the instrumentation burden; you get the full-bodied sonority and poetic weight that made Angelou's words resonate at a presidential moment.
What to expect
The opening fanfare commands attention with bright, declarative energy before giving way to a rhythmically alive, propulsive setting of Angelou's vision of rising and transformation. There's genuine hope woven through the musical fabric, grounded in contemporary compositional language that feels accessible without sacrificing sophistication.
Who it's for
Choirs looking to program meaningful, contemporary repertoire rooted in American poetry and historical significance. This works well for ensembles seeking pieces that engage both musicality and social-emotional themes, particularly for spring concerts or events celebrating voices and resilience.
How to get the most out of it
- Bring absolute clarity to the "See Me Rise" fanfare opening; these opening measures set the entire piece's tone and need to land with conviction before the rhythmic material takes over.
- Maintain rhythmic precision through the hope-filled latter section by locking in with the recorded accompaniment early in rehearsal so your singers can focus on phrasing and text inflection.
- Shape the text expressively without sacrificing the piece's inherent momentum; Angelou's words about rising and perseverance deserve vocal commitment that matches Hayes's compositional energy.
How to use it
Position this as a concert centerpiece rather than an opener; its textual weight and emotional arc deserve listeners who are settled and ready. The historical connection to the 1993 inauguration makes it particularly resonant for programs exploring American identity, resilience, or peace and brotherhood themes.
Skills your students will build
- Reading and performing with recorded accompaniment in contemporary harmonic language
- Shaping text expressively while maintaining rhythmic precision
- Building interpretive depth from literary context and historical significance
- Ensemble blend and balance in fanfare-style opening gestures