Trees: SSAATTBB Choral Octavo

Ešenvalds writes for eight-part divisi with genuine purpose, never splitting voices for texture alone. The piece balances the expressive warmth his choirs expect from him with a harmonic sophistication that keeps advanced singers engaged through multiple rehearsals and performances.

The music unfolds with a contemplative, layered quality characteristic of Ešenvalds' best work. Harmonic colors shift subtly as voices move through rich, contemporary sonorities that feel accessible rather than austere.

This piece suits advanced high school choirs, college choirs, and semi-professional ensembles comfortable with eight-part writing and chromatic harmony. Directors seeking repertoire that showcases a mature choir's blend and intonation will find this an ideal choice.

• Approach the eight-part writing as a chance to blend colors rather than achieve perfect unison within each part. Singers should listen across all eight lines and adjust their tone and pitch accordingly.
• Mark breath points carefully during sectional rehearsals. With this much divisi, secure breathing patterns prevent the ensemble from fragmenting at key moments.
• Consider staging the piece with semicircular or overlapping formations rather than strict rows. The harmonic interplay often benefits from singers being able to hear multiple voice parts without turning their heads.
• Work dynamics as a full ensemble first, then refine balance within each voice part. It's easy for inner voices to disappear in the printed score; conducting for collective shape keeps the texture cohesive.

This works beautifully in a concert focused on contemporary choral literature or as a centerpiece showcasing your choir's technical refinement. Its moderate length and sophisticated sound also pair well with lighter works or shorter pieces in a themed recital.

• Reading eight-part divisi with secure independence within parts
• Singing chromatic harmony with stable intonation across dissonant sonorities
• Balancing multiple vocal lines to create ensemble blend rather than individual prominence
• Responding to nuanced dynamic and color shifts driven by harmonic movement