Wherever You Are: SSA Choral Octavo

Mealor's gift for singable, emotionally direct writing makes this octavo immediately appealing to singers while remaining musically substantial. The SSA voicing opens this material to middle school groups and smaller high school choirs, expanding repertoire options at levels where quality secular concert music can be harder to find.

The piece unfolds with lyrical grace, inviting singers into an intimate emotional space. Mealor's harmonic language balances warmth with gentle sophistication, creating a concert moment that feels both contemporary and timeless.

SSA choirs at the middle school, high school, and community choir level will find this piece accessible and rewarding. Directors seeking secular concert material that respects both singers' capabilities and audience expectations will appreciate Mealor's craft.

• Bring out the text through careful phrase shaping rather than dramatic dynamic swings; Mealor's harmonic movement often does the expressive work.
• Establish clear vowel uniformity across the parts, especially in moments where the voices move in parallel motion.
• Balance the upper voices carefully so that layered melodic lines remain distinct without requiring excessive volume from the soprano part.
• Prepare singers to navigate any key changes or harmonic shifts with attention to intonation around chromatic alterations.

Slot this into a concert program as a bridge between more demanding repertoire and lighter fare, or use it as a featured piece for an SSA showcase. Its moderate length and emotional focus make it effective as a closing selection before an ensemble finale.

• Part independence in three-part voicing
• Phrase shaping and breath placement in sustained lines
• Accurate intonation in contemporary harmonic contexts
• Lyrical text expression and communication