Prayer Of Being: SATB Choral Octavo
Prayer Of Being Sheet Music Preview

Prayer Of Being: SATB Choral Octavo

By Mark Hayes

Item: 35-DS01718751
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Additional Details
Publisher: Hal Leonard
Page Count: 7
SKU: 35-DS01718751

More about this title

About the Composer: Mark Hayes

Mark Hayes

Mark Hayes brings three decades of prolific output to sacred and secular music alike, with over 1,750 published compositions across piano, choral, orchestral, and theatrical genres. A summa cum laude graduate of Baylor University's piano program, Hayes has established himself as a sought-after conductor and guest lecturer at major venues including Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, and the National Cathedral. His sacred works have been premiered internationally, from his Requiem at Lincoln Center in 2013 to performances at St. Ignatius Basilica in Rome under Vatican sponsorship. Beyond the concert hall, Hayes has extended his compositional reach into musical theater and film, orchestrating works for Broadway and creating original scores for award-winning productions.

Hayes's particular gift lies in writing idiomatically for voices while maintaining sophisticated harmonic language and structural integrity. His catalog of over 100 piano publications and extensive choral works reveals a composer equally comfortable with gospel idioms, classical forms, jazz harmonies, and popular song styles. Based in Kansas City, Missouri, Hayes continues to balance an active conducting and composing life with a commitment to creating accessible yet artistically substantial music for performers at all levels.

Why we love this

Hayes crafts this prayer text with harmonic warmth and singable vocal writing that never sacrifices emotional depth. The piece lands in that essential middle ground: sophisticated enough to engage serious singers, approachable enough that preparation time stays reasonable. It's the kind of work that feels both substantive and genuinely reflective, making it a natural choice for contemplative moments in a concert or worship service.

What to expect

A moment of genuine stillness and contemplation. Hayes's harmonies feel natural and unfussy, allowing the text's meaning to emerge clearly while maintaining musical interest throughout all voice parts. The overall arc creates a sense of peaceful acceptance and quiet confidence.

Who it's for

Intermediate to advanced SATB choirs seeking repertoire that honors both spiritual intention and musical substance. This works well for choirs comfortable with sustained singing and able to balance transparency with ensemble blend.

How to get the most out of it

  • Balance the inner voices carefully; Hayes layers harmonic interest throughout all four parts, and clarity here lifts the entire texture.
  • Let the text shape your phrasing rather than imposing strict metric boundaries. The prayer's natural speech rhythms should guide breath placement and line direction.
  • Pay attention to dynamic nuance in the middle section. The piece gains its reflective quality through restraint and subtle color shifts, not through dramatic swells.

How to use it

Position this as a spiritual anchor in a mixed concert, particularly effective following more energetic repertoire or as an opening piece that sets a meditative tone. It pairs well with other Hayes sacred works or with contemporary sacred music that shares similar harmonic language and directness.

Skills your students will build

  • Sustained legit singing across phrases without losing line direction
  • Harmonic listening and tuning in contemporary chord structures
  • Balance and blend of four independent vocal lines carrying equal melodic weight
  • Connection between text meaning and musical phrasing
  • Flexibility with tempo and rubato in service of the prayer text

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