The Listening: SSATB Choral Octavo

The piece invites focused attention and quiet reflection, drawing the ensemble and audience into an intimate musical moment. Engelhardt's harmonic language creates an expressive, contemporary sound that feels immediate and emotionally present.

This octavo works for high school choirs, emerging collegiate ensembles, and community choirs seeking repertoire that challenges without overwhelming. The SSA/SSAA voicing makes it accessible for groups with fewer bass singers or those prioritizing soprano depth.

• Balance the parts by listening to the harmonic foundation first; get the lower voices secure before layering in the soprano lines.
• Pay attention to phrase breathing as a group. Mark breath points that work for all singers in each section to maintain line integrity.
• Record a section rehearsal focused on text clarity alone. Singers often rush consonants or blur vowels when concentrating on pitch and blend simultaneously.

Include this as a centerpiece during a concert devoted to contemporary sacred or secular texts, or pair it with other modern works to showcase your choir's interpretive range. Its 15-page format makes it substantial enough to anchor a program section without overwhelming rehearsal schedules early in the season.

• Sustaining legit, resonant tone in SSA voicing
• Blending across part lines in chromatic or diatonic harmony
• Text expression and emotional communication in contemporary settings
• Part independence while maintaining ensemble cohesion