Sure On This Shining Night: SSA Choral Octavo
Sure On This Shining Night Sheet Music Preview

Sure On This Shining Night: SSA Choral Octavo

Arranged by Jacob Narverud

Item: 35-DS00385438
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$2.50
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Additional Details
Publisher: Hal Leonard
Page Count: 5
SKU: 35-DS00385438

More about this title

About the Arranger: Jacob Narverud

Jacob Narverud

Jacob Narverud is a Kansas-based composer and arranger whose works have become staples in choirs across North America and beyond. As founding artistic director of the Tallgrass Chamber Choir and editor at Santa Barbara Music Publishing, he brings both practical ensemble experience and publishing expertise to every piece he creates.

His commissions span over fifty choral organizations in the United States, Australia, and Japan, a testament to the accessibility and musical substance of his writing. Many of his arrangements and original compositions have achieved international performance status, performed by choirs ranging from high school ensembles to professional groups.

Why we love this

Narverud's setting honors Morten Lauridsen's contemplative harmonic language while making it genuinely singable for SSA voicings. The arrangement balances musical sophistication with accessibility, giving your singers moments of vulnerability and warmth without demanding virtuosic technical feats. This is the kind of piece that sounds far more complex than it is to prepare, which means your rehearsal time yields impressive results quickly.

What to expect

Serene and introspective, with a luminous quality that emerges from the harmonic progressions. The text's spiritual focus combines with Lauridsen's signature lyricism to create moments of genuine transcendence, even in an unaccompanied setting. Singers often report feeling the emotional weight of the piece as they move through it.

Who it's for

This arrangement suits SSA or SSAA choirs ranging from intermediate to advanced ensembles. Whether you're programming a concert focused on reflective American choral works or seeking a meaningful festival selection, this piece offers substance without requiring extensive orchestration or specialized soloists.

How to get the most out of it

  • Let the dynamic shape breathe naturally through the text rather than imposing a rigid arch. The text itself will guide singers toward the emotional peaks.
  • Balance the inner voices carefully in ensemble passages. SSA textures can muddy if the second soprano and alto lines don't stay clearly defined against the first soprano line.
  • Explore the harmonic color by experimenting with slight tempo flexibility in the closing measures. A gentle ritardando that emerges organically will feel earned, not sentimental.

How to use it

Pair this with other contemporary American sacred or secular choral works to create a program exploring modern spirituality and reflection. Its moderate length and five-page format make it an ideal centerpiece for a concert section or festival performance where you want to establish a contemplative mood without demanding excessive rehearsal time. Consider programming it in the second half of a concert, after your ensemble has warmed into its voice.

Skills your students will build

  • Sustaining lyrical phrasing across longer melodic phrases
  • Balancing blend and clarity in SSA divisi passages
  • Interpreting harmonic color through vowel modification and dynamic nuance
  • Connecting text to musical shape without over-sentimentalizing

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