Scattered Rhymes: SATB Choral Octavo

O'Regan writes for SATB with an ear for what actually sits well in each voice while maintaining the integrity of his harmonic language. Scattered Rhymes avoids both the predictable and the needlessly difficult, making it a substantive choice for choirs ready to move beyond standard repertoire without sacrificing musicality or rehearsal efficiency.

The piece unfolds with lyrical grace, building texture through counterpoint and harmonic color rather than volume. O'Regan's writing creates moments of quiet reflection alongside passages of forward motion, all bound together by melodic intelligence that sits naturally in the voice.

This octavo suits advanced high school choirs and college ensembles with solid musicianship and ensemble blend. It works equally well for community choirs and professional groups seeking contemporary secular repertoire with substance.

• Pay close attention to the text setting in each section; O'Regan's phrasing often diverges from obvious speech rhythms to serve the music's harmonic movement.
• Balance the inner voices carefully during sustained passages so that the harmonic texture reads clearly rather than muddying.
• Allow space between phrases where the text suggests natural breathing, even if the notation might tempt you to push through.

Scattered Rhymes fits naturally into a contemporary choral concert, particularly when programmed alongside other 21st-century works or as a centerpiece in a concert devoted to modern secular choral writing. Its accessible appeal makes it suitable for both formal concert settings and chamber choir performances.

• Singing in contemporary harmonic language with non-functional chord progressions
• Balancing inner voice independence while maintaining harmonic cohesion
• Text intelligibility in complex vocal writing
• Ensemble blend and vowel consistency across sustained sonorities