Walking In The Air (arr. John Leavitt): 2-Part Choral Octavo

John Leavitt's arrangement captures the haunting simplicity that makes this piece so memorable, distilling it for young voices without sacrificing the emotional weight. Two-part writing at this level rarely feels effortless, but here the voicing sits naturally and allows singers to focus on phrasing and blend rather than fighting the mechanics.

The piece hovers between wonder and quiet melancholy, evoking the dreamlike quality suggested by its title. Young singers often discover the power of restraint through this kind of material, where less is genuinely more.

This arrangement serves singers in middle school through early high school who have basic blend skills and can handle the lyrical demands of a suspended melody. It works equally well for community choirs or holiday programs seeking repertoire that resonates emotionally without excessive technical demands.

• Emphasize the legit quality of the melody line; these sinuous intervals need a light, almost floating approach rather than belted tone.
• Balance the parts so the second voice supports without overwhelming. This isn't a cascading harmony; it's two voices telling the same story.
• Shape phrases across bar lines to avoid choppy, sectional singing. The accompaniment will anchor you if the melody floats slightly ahead of strict time.

Include this in your winter concert as a contrasting piece between uptempo holiday selections or as a reflective anchor point. It also works beautifully as part of a program that explores contemporary classical repertoire or features film and television music alongside traditional carols.

• Sustaining legit, light soprano tone through longer phrase lengths
• Listening for blend and balance between two equal vocal lines
• Navigating intervallic leaps with accuracy and musicality
• Creating lift and forward motion in lyrical passages