Bob Burroughs studied at Mars Hill College before earning a BME from Oklahoma Baptist University and an MCM in theory and composition from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. His career has been substantial and multifaceted: he served as a minister of music, taught at three universities, directed the Church Music Department of the Florida Baptist Convention until 2001, and has seen more than 1,300 compositions published across multiple publishers.
Recognized by his peers with the Hines Sims Award from the Baptist Church Music Conference in 2007, Burroughs remains active in the music education community. Based in Greenville, South Carolina, he continues to lead clinics, workshops, and composer residencies while maintaining his involvement with First Presbyterian Church.
Why we love this
Burroughs brings decades of experience writing for church choirs directly into this setting. The piece respects the intelligence of singers while remaining genuinely singable, and its sacred context makes it a natural anchor for programs built around devotional repertoire.
What to expect
The piece carries the quiet reverence typical of sacred choral writing while maintaining warmth and accessibility. Its seven pages allow room for genuine musical development without overwhelming singers or audiences.
Who it's for
Any choir with solid SATB singers seeking sacred repertoire that is both musically substantial and liturgically appropriate. This works equally well for volunteer church choirs and more experienced collegiate or community ensembles.
How to get the most out of it
Balance the four voices from the outset by having each section sing through their parts independently, paying attention to how Burroughs voices the harmony so no single line disappears into the texture.
Let the text guide your phrasing; sacred texts often benefit from natural breath points that may not align with traditional musical phrase breaks.
Record a rehearsal and listen back to identify spots where any voice part needs to be brought forward or where the sopranos may be oversinging.
How to use it
Place this as a centerpiece in a concert devoted to sacred choral works, or use it as a processional or recessional piece within a longer service of worship. Its moderate length makes it ideal for mixed programs where you need a substantial yet focused choral moment.
Skills your students will build
Four-part harmonic singing with clear voice independence
Sustained singing and breath management in a sacred context
Text clarity and natural phrasing in English language choral writing
Listening and balancing within a SATB texture
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