We Are the Music-Makers: SSA Choral Octavo

This setting captures the inspirational power of O'Shaughnessy's words without overshooting into sentimentality. Beck's fanfare bookends give the piece architectural weight and concert presence, while the interior choral writing sits comfortably for developing treble voices. The accompaniment is genuinely supportive rather than decorative.

Majestic and soaring, with moments of genuine grandeur built on the famous poem's call to create beauty and meaning. The piece opens and closes with splashy, fanfare-like energy that frames a more lyrical and emotionally direct choral section, creating a satisfying dramatic arc that feels both contemporary and timeless.

This work suits intermediate to advanced treble choirs with solid blend and intonation habits. High school choirs, community choirs with treble voice focus, and select middle school advanced groups will all find rewarding material here.

• Bring out the majestic character of the opening and closing fanfares by shaping the dynamic architecture clearly; these moments frame the entire work and deserve precision in balance and articulation.
• Use the piano part to guide sectional rehearsals of the soaring melodic lines. The accompaniment often doubles key vocal phrases, making it an effective learning tool during early run-throughs.
• Shape the rich harmonies in the middle section with careful attention to blend; SSA voicing benefits from singers understanding how their part supports or colors the overall harmonic movement.
• Consider how you want the transition from the fanfare into the first choral section to feel. A slight breath or gesture can signal the shift in energy and character.

Open a concert with this piece to establish an ambitious, artful tone for the program. Its fanfare opening and strong closing make it an excellent festival selection, and the moderate length leaves room for contrasting repertoire on the same program.

• Blending treble voices in rich harmonies
• Sustaining long, soaring melodic lines with consistent support and intonation
• Understanding harmonic function and how individual voice parts contribute to overall color
• Responding to dynamic and architectural gestures that mark the piece's fanfare bookends