Splitting The Sunlight: SATB Choral Octavo

Luminous and contemplative, with moments of textural brightness that justify the title's imagery. The work invites singers into careful listening, rewarding their attention with a sense of collective artistry and refined sound.

Intermediate to advanced high school and collegiate choirs seeking secular concert repertoire with substance. Groups comfortable with four-part writing and looking to expand their festival or concert programming will find a rewarding challenge here.

• Work the voicing transitions slowly in sectionals before bringing the choir together; these moments are where the piece's color emerges most distinctly.
• Attend to vowel consistency across the SATB blend, particularly where parts move in parallel motion. A unified sound here transforms the harmonic language.
• Let the text shape your phrasing rather than imposing a predetermined arc; DiOrio's writing suggests natural breathing points that honor the words.

Pair this as a centerpiece in a concert devoted to contemporary secular choral writing, or program it alongside works exploring light, nature, or introspection. Its 36-page scope suggests a substantial rehearsal investment that yields a polished, festival-ready performance.

• SATB voice independence and blend
• Reading harmonic progressions with chromatic movement
• Sustained tone control in longer phrases
• Text-driven phrasing across four parts