River Of Love: Choral Instrumental Pak
By Mark Hayes
Item: 35-PK00211653
$60.00
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Description
We proudly present the Gary Bonner Choral Series and this magnificent first installment by veteran composer Mark Hayes. Duration: ca. 4:25.
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Additional Details
Publisher:
Hal Leonard
SKU:
35-PK00211653
More about this title
About the Composer: Mark Hayes
Mark Hayes brings nearly five decades of compositional expertise to sacred and secular music. A summa cum laude graduate of Baylor University's piano performance program, he has authored over 1,750 published works spanning concert music, choral settings, orchestrations, and solo piano repertoire. His compositions have premiered at Lincoln Center, the National Cathedral, and Carnegie Hall, and his Requiem was performed at St. Ignatius Basilica in Rome as part of a Vatican-sponsored festival.
Beyond the concert hall, Hayes has shaped Christian music education through guest conducting appointments and mentorship roles, earning Baylor University's Award for Exemplary Leadership in Christian Music in 2010. His work extends into musical theater, film scoring, and record production. Whether composing at his Kansas City home or conducting ensembles internationally, Hayes maintains a consistent focus on crafting music that speaks across generations and skill levels.
Why we love this
Hayes writes choral orchestrations that feel both ceremonial and deeply human. The four and a half minute duration makes this work ideal for concert programming without demanding excessive rehearsal time, yet the orchestral accompaniment carries the sophistication directors want their ensembles to experience. Sacred repertoire at this caliber rarely balances accessibility with the kind of musical substance that satisfies adult and young singers alike.
What to expect
The music flows with warmth and genuine spiritual intention. Hayes creates moments of radiant fullness where voices and orchestra merge seamlessly, paired with quieter passages that invite reflection. The underlying harmonic language feels rooted in classical tradition while remaining direct enough for contemporary audiences to connect.
Who it's for
This work suits concert choirs, church ensembles, and festival choruses seeking substantive sacred music with orchestral polish. The digital download format makes it accessible for directors programming seasonal concerts, sacred festivals, or events where a single transformative piece anchors the program.
How to get the most out of it
- Balance the choral voices against the orchestral colors by mapping dynamic ranges in rehearsal; mark where the accompaniment needs to recede and where it should surge forward.
- Use sectional rehearsals to isolate any exposed vocal lines before running the piece with full accompaniment so singers build confidence in the passages that matter most.
- Establish clear pulse with your accompanist before the first choral entry; Hayes's harmonic language rewards steady, unhurried tempos that allow the text to breathe.
How to use it
Pair this with other contemporary sacred works to demonstrate how modern composers honor liturgical texts while expanding choral possibilities. The length and orchestral richness make it a strong centerpiece for a concert's sacred section, holding its own against larger symphonic works. Consider programming it near concert's end where the accumulated beauty lingers with listeners.
Skills your students will build
- Singing with orchestral accompaniment (balancing blend against ensemble forces)
- Interpreting text with musical sensitivity in sacred contexts
- Sustaining focus across moderate length choral writing
- Responding to a conductor's nuanced gesture work alongside recorded accompaniment