There's A Song In The Air: Unison Choral Octavo

Ken Berg's unison setting strips away harmonic complexity while preserving the hymn's earnest, celebratory character, making it ideal for choirs still building confidence in sacred repertoire or for opening concert programs with inclusive warmth. The arrangement respects the original tune's singability, so singers can focus entirely on expression and blend without wrestling with part independence.

Bright and affirmative, with the kind of earnest optimism that only nineteenth-century American hymnody can deliver. The melody sits naturally in the voice, inviting singers to project confidence without strain.

This arrangement serves choirs of any age seeking approachable sacred material that requires minimal sectional rehearsal time. It works equally well for community choirs, church services, or educational settings where singers benefit from straightforward voicing and meaningful text.

• Shape each phrase with gentle dynamic contours rather than singing at one dynamic level throughout; the text's joy emerges through subtle swells at phrase peaks.
• Consider the harmonic accompaniment as a foundational support, not a secondary element; balance the choir's tone with the piano so both elements remain clear.
• Resist over-vibrato in unison singing, which can blur intonation; encourage a warm, unified tone that feels corporate rather than soloistic.

Open a holiday or sacred concert with this piece to establish a warm, welcoming atmosphere before moving into more complex arrangements. Its thirteen pages and unison texture also make it a natural choice for a spring pops program or for pairing with other hymn-based pieces in a mixed choral set.

• Phrasing within hymn-style structures
• Singing sustained tones with consistent vibrato control
• Blending unison voicing for corporate sound
• Text expression in sacred English-language repertoire