On The Pulse Of This New Day Sheet Music Preview

On The Pulse Of This New Day: SSA Choral Octavo

By Rollo Dilworth

Item: 35-DS00470926

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Additional Details
Publisher: Hal Leonard
Page Count: 14
SKU: 35-DS00470926

More about this title

About the Composer: Rollo Dilworth

Rollo Dilworth is a composer and arranger whose work centers on African American musical traditions and spirituals. His compositions for choral ensembles draw deeply from gospel, jazz, and art song idioms, creating pieces that honor cultural heritage while maintaining sophisticated harmonic language and compositional craft.

Dilworth's output spans sacred and secular repertoire, with particular strength in writing for treble voices. His pieces have become staples in festival circuits and concert seasons because they balance accessibility with musical depth, giving singers genuine content to communicate while building their technical skills.

Why we love this

This piece captures a contemporary moment with genuine optimism without sliding into sentimentality. Dilworth's harmonic vocabulary and rhythmic flexibility keep the writing fresh and engaging for singers at this level, while the text resonates with festival adjudicators and audiences alike. The SSA instrumentation opens doors for middle school choirs and beginning high school ensembles looking for concert repertoire with real substance.

What to expect

Rhythmically assured and forward-moving, this piece carries an assured, optimistic energy. The harmonic language feels rooted in American musical traditions while the overall texture remains transparent and accessible, allowing singers to connect directly with both the message and the music.

Who it's for

SSA and SSAA choirs seeking contemporary secular repertoire that programs well at festivals and concerts. Ensembles with mixed ability levels will find the range manageable while the writing remains musically sophisticated enough to satisfy singers with stronger technique.

How to get the most out of it

  • Treat the pulse as a living, breathing element rather than metronomic. Dilworth's rhythm writing invites subtle flexibility that brings the text to life.
  • Balance the parts so the soprano line remains clear without drowning out the harmonic support the alto provides. The piece depends on hearing both simultaneously.
  • Let the accompaniment anchor your ensemble's sense of time. The piano part contains important rhythmic information that strengthens ensemble cohesion.

How to use it

Pair this as a closing number on a concert featuring contemporary choral works, or use it as a festival selection that demonstrates your choir's comfort with modern compositional language. Its affirmative character works particularly well in spring concerts or events celebrating achievement and growth.

Skills your students will build

  • Singing with rhythmic independence while maintaining ensemble unity
  • Balancing soprano and alto lines in SSA texture
  • Interpreting contemporary harmonic language
  • Connecting text to musical gesture and phrasing

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