Reach High!: 2-Part Choral Octavo

This piece captures genuine inspiration without sacrificing musical substance. The pop-inflected setting and affirming message land authentically with middle and high school singers, who respond to repertoire that speaks their language while building real musical skills. It's exactly the kind of contemporary choral writing that energizes a concert and reminds students why they show up to rehearsal.

Uplifting and direct, with the straightforward sincerity of pop music rather than classical reserve. The piece wraps motivation in contemporary musical language that feels fresh in a concert setting, creating moments where singers genuinely feel the encouragement they're delivering.

Middle and high school choirs seeking accessible 2-part repertoire with contemporary sensibility and positive messaging. It works equally well for experienced singers looking for a confident, stylistically current piece and for developing ensembles building confidence through music that feels relevant to their lives.

• Lean into the conversational phrasing. This is pop writing, so treat the lines like someone is actually speaking encouragement to the listener rather than performing from a concert stage.
• Balance the two parts clearly during full sections. A 2-part texture means every voice has melodic responsibility, so ensure both parts cut through the ensemble rather than treating one as accompaniment.
• Use dynamics to shape the arc of the piece. Since it's inspirational in character, subtle crescendos and strategic use of softer passages will make the affirmative moments land harder.

Open a concert with this to set an energetic, positive tone, or place it mid-program to refresh audience attention and singer energy. Its pop sensibility and inspirational content make it particularly effective in school assemblies, fundraising concerts, or programs celebrating student achievement.

• Sustaining lyrical lines with proper breath support across phrases
• Balancing two independent melodic parts with clarity and blend
• Interpreting contemporary harmonic language with nuance
• Delivering text with conversational phrasing rather than classical diction