Prayer of the Children: SSAA, a cappella Choral Octavo
Words and music by Kurt Bestor / arr. Andrea S. Klouse
Level: Moderately Difficult
Item: 00-PO-0007697
$2.10
Minimum order quantity: 20 copies
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Description
This extraordinary work by renowned composer Kurt Bestor has established itself as one of the truly remarkable additions to choral repertoire in the '90s. It has been performed by many of the finest choirs throughout the world. Now Andrea Klouse has scored it for your women's choir.
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Additional Details
Publisher:
Alfred Music
Page Count:
12
SKU:
00-PO-0007697
More about this title
About the Composer: Kurt Bestor
Kurt Bestor is a composer whose work spans film, television, and concert music. He has built a substantial catalog of accessible yet substantial compositions that appeal to both professional and educational ensembles, with particular strength in choral writing that balances emotional depth with performable difficulty levels.
Bestor's compositions for choir have found their way into festivals and concert programs worldwide, establishing him as a reliable voice in contemporary sacred choral music. His ability to craft memorable melodies within sophisticated harmonic frameworks has made his work especially valued by directors seeking repertoire that challenges singers while remaining rewarding for audiences.
Why we love this
This arrangement gives women's choirs access to a work that has proven its artistic staying power across decades and performance contexts. Klouse's scoring honors Bestor's original vision while creating an idiomatically singable texture for SSAA voices, making a substantial concert piece genuinely accessible without compromise.
What to expect
Prayer of the Children carries a contemplative yet earnest quality, with moments of lyrical beauty balanced by harmonic complexity. The a cappella texture creates intimacy while the four-part writing generates rich harmonic color, resulting in a piece that feels both intimate and substantial.
Who it's for
Women's choirs at the high school, college, and community levels who are ready for moderately difficult repertoire with real artistic substance. This piece suits directors programming concert or festival selections and seeking a sacred work that lands with both singers and listeners.
How to get the most out of it
- Balance the four voices carefully during the opening sections; the alto lines often provide harmonic foundation that needs definition without overwhelming the soprano melodies.
- Work phrase endings with intention—this piece benefits from singers who understand the text and shape each phrase as a unit rather than merely hitting notes.
- Without accompaniment, intonation demands rehearsal time focused on vertical sonorities; invest in tuning chords methodically rather than assuming the voices will lock naturally.
- The emotional arc matters more than perfection; encourage singers to perform this with conviction even when navigating technically complex passages.
How to use it
This works beautifully as a centerpiece in a concert built around sacred or contemplative themes, or as a festival selection where you want to showcase your choir's musicianship and tonal control. The 12-page length and moderate difficulty make it suitable for mid-season rehearsal focus without dominating your entire preparation calendar.
Skills your students will build
- Intonation in four-part a cappella writing
- Harmonic listening and voice independence
- Phrase shaping and text-driven interpretation
- Reading complex harmonic progressions
- Blend and balance across multiple voice parts