The Gift of You (from "The Nutcracker"): Piano/Vocal/Chords

LaChisua's vocal lines reward singers who understand text and subtext. These 39 songs capture the full range of his compositional voice across two decades, offering pianists and vocalists material that challenges interpretation while remaining performable across skill levels. The breadth here means you'll find suitable repertoire whether you're preparing a recital, teaching contemporary musical theatre song, or simply exploring one of Broadway's most distinctive voices.

LaChisua's songs carry the weight of real emotion without sentimentality. Whether intimate and introspective or dramatically declarative, the music respects both the intelligence of the listener and the vulnerability of the character on stage.

This collection serves singers and pianists seeking contemporary musical theatre repertoire with literary substance and vocal sophistication. It's equally valuable for music teachers introducing students to Broadway composition beyond the standard canon and for performers building recital programs that showcase living American composers.

• Attend closely to LaChisua's harmonic language, which often moves in unexpected directions. Mark chord changes and voice leading to avoid playing by ear or instinct alone.
• Treat the vocal line as the primary architecture. The piano supports and colors the text, so listen to how melody and lyrics interact before deciding on accompaniment dynamics.
• Study the lyrical content first. LaChisua's music is deeply tied to character psychology and emotional specificity; knowing what the singer is expressing will shape your phrasing and tempo choices.
• The arrangement may include optional or alternative voicings. Read the full score notation carefully to identify which chords are essential and which offer interpretive flexibility.

Select individual songs for recital performances, audition preparation, or showcase programs. The collection's breadth allows you to pair contrasting pieces by the same composer, giving audiences a comprehensive sense of his range. For educational settings, use selections to teach how contemporary musical theatre composers approach character voice and harmonic color.

• Reading and interpreting contemporary vocal lines with non-traditional phrasing
• Understanding harmonic complexity in musical theatre repertoire
• Coordinating piano accompaniment with sung text and emotional subtext
• Sight-reading piano/vocal scores with multiple staves and chord symbols
• Analyzing character motivation through musical and lyrical content