The Stars Are with the Voyager: PianoTrax Digital Download

$9.99 USD

The Stars Are with the Voyager: PianoTrax Digital Download

Words by Thomas Hood, music by Mary Donnelly and George L. O. Strid

Item: 00-A-00016609

$9.99

Digital Download

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Series: Alfred Choral Designs

Publisher: Alfred Music

UPC: 0

SKU: 00-A-00016609

More about this title

About the Composer: Mary Donnelly

Mary Donnelly grew up in Reno, Nevada, and studied English and French at the University of Nevada before discovering her passion for music education. She earned a Master's Degree in Education from Lesley College in Cambridge, Massachusetts, with a focus on integrating the arts across subjects. Donnelly taught general music and choir in elementary and middle schools throughout the Washoe County School District for thirty years and holds memberships in ACDA, NEA, and ASCAP.

In 1986, while team-teaching sixth grade with George L. O. Strid, Donnelly's principal challenged them to write a musical for Reading Week. That collaboration launched a prolific partnership spanning nearly four decades. Together, they have created over two hundred songs and twenty-five full musicals, establishing themselves as trusted voices in choral music for young singers.

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Why we love this

Donnelly and Strid craft pieces that honor text with genuine musicality rather than oversimplifying it for young voices. The literary and poetic focus here means your singers engage with language as seriously as they engage with melody, making this a natural fit for choirs ready to interpret meaning, not just match pitches. A 2-part voicing keeps the ensemble accessible while the contest and concert appeal gives you programming flexibility.

What to expect

A piece that honors contemplation and journey. The poetic text invites singers to inhabit a specific emotional landscape, transforming what could be a simple arrangement into something that feels genuine and expressive. Donnelly and Strid's writing lets the text breathe while keeping the music forward-moving and engaging.

Who it's for

Middle and high school choirs with secure foundational skills, particularly ensembles drawn to literature-based programming and festival participation. This works for treble-voice choirs, mixed ensembles performing the part as written, or mixed groups reassigning the second part as needed.

How to get the most out of it

Shape phrases according to the syntax of the text; let punctuation and imagery guide your interpretation rather than forcing uniform phrasing across all lines.
Balance the two parts so each voice part can be heard clearly; unison moments will land with greater impact when each voice maintains its independence elsewhere.
Explore the emotional arc with your singers before rehearsing mechanics; understanding what the text conveys will inform tempo choices and dynamic shaping naturally.

How to use it

This pairs well on a program with other literature-based pieces or can stand alone as a contest entry where artistic interpretation matters as much as technical execution. Consider programming it alongside instrumental works that explore similar imagery, or use it to anchor a themed concert focused on exploration, wonder, or journey.