Still I Rise: 1st F Horn
Still I Rise: 1st F Horn Sheet Music Preview

Still I Rise: 1st F Horn

From Like Dust I Rise (A Choral Song Cycle)

Text by Maya Angelou, music by Mark Hayes

Item: 00-PC-0017788_H1
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Description
Maya Angelou's most popular poem about triumph over adversity comes brilliantly to life in this vivid setting by Mark Hayes. The bright shuffle tempo and bluesy piano riffs perfectly embody Angelou's strength, courage, and determination to rise above. One of the most uplifting choral selections of our time! This is the final movement from the song cycle Like Dust I Rise.

Don't just read it, hear it, play along with it, and watch your students grow with it. In MakeMusic Cloud, Still I Rise: 1st F Horn comes alive with professional accompaniment, adjustable tempo, and built-in practice tools that turn solo practice into real progress.

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Additional Details
Series: Alfred Choral Designs
Publisher: Alfred Music
Page Count: 58
SKU: 00-PC-0017788_H1
Instrumentation: SoundPax

More about this title

About the Composer: Mark Hayes

Mark Hayes

Mark Hayes brings nearly 50 years of compositional expertise to choral music, with more than 1,750 published works spanning concert, sacred, and theatrical genres. A summa cum laude graduate in Piano Performance from Baylor University, Hayes has guest conducted at Lincoln Center, the National Cathedral, and Carnegie Hall, leading premieres of major works including his Requiem at Rome's St. Ignatius Basilica in 2014. In 2010, Baylor University's Center for Christian Music Studies recognized him with the Award for Exemplary Leadership in Christian Music.

Beyond his choral catalog, Hayes is an accomplished pianist, orchestrator, and record producer with over 100 piano works in print. He has composed for theater (Civil War Voices won six awards at the Midtown International Theatre Festival), arranged major musicals, and written commissioned works for institutions worldwide, including St. Paul's Co-educational College in Hong Kong. Whether performing internationally or composing in Kansas City, Hayes remains devoted to creating music that resonates across genres and cultures.

Why we love this

Hayes captures the defiant, unstoppable spirit of Angelou's words through infectious rhythmic energy and blues-inflected harmony that feels both contemporary and timeless. The shuffle groove and bright piano writing make this selection memorable and engaging for singers while maintaining real emotional depth. Directors will appreciate how the arrangement honors the poem's power without overshadowing its message.

What to expect

Propulsive and bright, infused with the groove of jazz and blues but grounded in genuine emotional conviction. The piece radiates warmth and determination, moving from quiet strength to powerful declaration without ever feeling forced or sentimental.

Who it's for

Choirs seeking contemporary, meaningful repertoire that engages both singers and audiences with relevant themes. This work suits community choirs, church ensembles, high school and college choirs, and festival programming where affirmation and hope resonate with listeners.

How to get the most out of it

  • Establish the shuffle feel early in rehearsal by listening to the recorded accompaniment together; this rhythmic pocket is the foundation for the piece's impact.
  • Shape the text expressively by mapping moments of defiance against moments of reflection, allowing the lyrics to drive dynamic choices rather than holding a single energy throughout.
  • Balance the choir's voices so the piano riffs remain audible as a conversational partner, particularly in passages where the accompaniment carries thematic material.
  • Encourage singers to feel the bluesy inflections in sustained vowels, especially on key phrases that embody triumph and resilience.

How to use it

Position this as a closing number or centerpiece of a concert focused on resilience, social justice, or contemporary voices. Its uplifting trajectory and accessible idiom make it an excellent bridge between traditional repertoire and newer choral works, suitable for spring pops concerts, peace and brotherhood themed programs, or any occasion celebrating human dignity.

Skills your students will build

  • Singing in a shuffle/swing rhythm with precision and groove
  • Interpreting text with emotional specificity and conviction
  • Balancing ensemble blend while maintaining character-driven phrasing
  • Responding to and interpreting bluesy harmonic language and inflections

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