Prayer of the Children: Choral Octavo SoundTrax CD

Mark Hayes's arrangement honors Bestor's original vision while expanding its emotional reach through lush harmonic writing and the option of orchestral accompaniment. The inclusion of those final two measures in Croatian transforms a universal anthem into a statement about music's power to transcend language and borders, giving your singers a tangible reason to care deeply about every phrase.

The arrangement unfolds with gentle conviction, building through lush harmonic textures that feel both intimate and expansive. By its conclusion, especially in those final Croatian phrases, the piece becomes a collective act of hope, dignified and genuinely moving.

This octavo works for any intermediate to advanced choir seeking a meaningful concert or festival selection that speaks to universal themes. It suits choirs with access to piano or orchestral accompaniment and singers who respond well to text-driven, spiritually grounded repertoire.

• Study the recorded accompaniment first to understand the harmonic and textural support; use it as a teaching tool before transitioning to live piano or orchestra parts.
• Shape the dynamics carefully around the text. The arrangement's fullness can obscure meaningful words, so rehearse with attention to vowel clarity and consonant articulation at every volume level.
• Treat the Croatian text at the end as a moment of profound inclusion rather than a technical challenge. Help singers understand the meaning so they can sing those measures with conviction and reverence.

Program this as a centerpiece of a concert focused on hope, peace, or global themes. It pairs well with either contemporary sacred works or classical spirituals, and its reverent tone makes it equally suitable for festival competition or community concert settings where emotional resonance matters as much as technical display.

• Balancing blend and intonation in lush four-part harmony
• Singing text with clarity and intention across dynamic contrasts
• Pronunciation and musical phrasing in a non-English language (Croatian)
• Responding to orchestral or piano accompaniment as an ensemble