Ordinary Miracles: Choral Instrumental Pak
By Marvin Hamlisch / As performed by Barbra Streisand / Arranged by Kirby Shaw
Item: 35-PK00263277
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Description
This beautiful ballad, recorded by Barbra Streisand, gives a moving tribute to the everyday acts of courage and commitment by ordinary people. Great for graduation or a special concert dedication! Duration: ca. 3:45.
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Additional Details
Publisher:
Hal Leonard
SKU:
35-PK00263277
More about this title
About the Composer: Marvin Hamlisch
Marvin Hamlisch (1944-2012) was a composer of rare versatility, equally at home in Broadway theaters, concert halls, and film studios. His gift for melody and his understanding of what moves an audience made him one of the most performed composers of his generation. Hamlisch won three Academy Awards, a Pulitzer Prize, and a Tony Award, earning him a place among the most decorated American composers.
For music educators, Hamlisch represents the accessible sophistication that makes contemporary concert music meaningful to singers. His melodies sit naturally in the voice, his harmonies support emotional clarity without oversimplifying, and his sense of structure teaches singers how to build a phrase toward impact.
Why we love this
Hamlisch's gift for writing singable melody shines here, giving your choir a piece that sits beautifully in the voice while maintaining emotional sophistication. The arrangement by Kirby Shaw balances choral writing with instrumental support in a way that feels earned rather than decorated. Songs about ordinary courage resonate deeply with graduating students and audiences alike.
What to expect
The music has a quiet dignity, neither sentimental nor austere. Warmth radiates from the harmonic progressions, and the orchestration provides gentle support rather than drama. Singing this feels like bearing witness to something true.
Who it's for
Choir directors programming a graduation ceremony, senior night concert, or special tribute will find this piece speaks directly to the moment. High school and college choirs can sing it with confidence; the vocal range and harmony parts are accessible without being simplistic.
How to get the most out of it
- Shape the opening chorus with restraint. The power of this piece lives in its simplicity, and over-singing the early phrases will leave you with nowhere to build toward the final chorus.
- Blend your upper voices carefully through the harmonies. Hamlisch's voicing depends on each part being heard as part of a single line, not as separate tracks.
- Work with your instrumentalists to establish the tempo together before rehearsals begin. A tempo that feels comfortable at 3:45 total will anchor the whole performance.
How to use it
This works beautifully as the centerpiece of a program honoring service or transition, or as the closing number of a concert where you want audiences to leave reflective rather than energized. The modest duration makes it an ideal pairing with a livelier opener or a contrasting second selection.
Skills your students will build
- Sustaining long phrases without loss of tone quality
- Blending four-part harmony with clear individual voice parts
- Singing contemporary concert music with emotional authenticity
- Responding to instrumental accompaniment while maintaining choral balance