The Light We Cast: SATB, a cappella Choral Octavo

Curry's three pieces showcase how video game and contemporary media composition translates beautifully to the concert hall. Each work demands genuine musicianship from singers while remaining accessible to ensemble rehearsal; there is nothing decorative about the writing. The inclusion of Carol Ann Duffy's text alongside game soundtracks creates a compelling program that speaks to multiple audiences.

These pieces inhabit the liminal space between contemporary concert music and interactive media scoring. The harmonic language is modern yet tonal; the text settings honor both word and melody. There is an underlying melancholy that never tips into sentimentality, creating a listening experience that feels both immediate and contemplative.

Any SATB choir seeking contemporary repertoire with emotional substance and moderate technical demands. This collection works equally well for concert choirs wanting to expand beyond traditional classical repertoire and for ensembles looking to program work that engages audiences familiar with video game narratives.

• Balance the texture carefully across all three movements. Each piece depends on blend more than volume; encourage singers to listen inward rather than project outward in these unaccompanied settings.
• Secure the harmonic foundation by having sopranos and altos lock their intonation first, then add tenors and basses. A cappella writing exposes tuning immediately, so this layered approach prevents drift.
• Shape phrases through breath placement rather than dynamic marking. Study where natural textual or harmonic cadences occur and breathe there together to maintain cohesion.

Present all three pieces as a unified set to create a thematic evening exploring memory, loss, and human connection across different artistic contexts. Alternatively, "Kiss the Bairns" with its Duffy text pairs naturally with other choral settings of modern poetry, while the two game-soundtrack pieces could anchor a themed program on music in digital spaces.

• Maintaining intonation in chromatic and modal harmonic contexts without instrumental support
• Interpreting contemporary musical notation and expressive markings
• Balancing ensemble blend when harmonic color depends on precise voice leading
• Text expression in secular, narrative-driven contexts from both game narrative and contemporary poetry