Wings: SAB Choral Octavo

Strommen's gift for crafting singable, emotionally resonant lines shines throughout this piece. The text speaks directly to young singers' sense of possibility and freedom, making it an especially natural choice for graduation ceremonies where the message lands with genuine weight rather than sentiment. The SAB voicing gives accessibility without sacrificing musical substance, and recorded accompaniment support means you can bring this to life regardless of your accompanying resources.

Wings evokes open space and possibility, with a melody that feels both intimate and soaring. The text imagery of fields and skies creates a sense of aspiration without pretense, and Strommen's harmonies sit comfortably under the voice while supporting the emotional arc of the message.

This piece reaches choirs of mixed abilities at the high school level and above. The SAB voicing welcomes singers with varying ranges and experience, while the straightforward yet emotionally compelling arrangement holds the attention of accomplished ensembles.

• Balance the text clarity with the flowing melodic contours; the message 'Give me wings to travel swiftly' should feel conversational rather than declaimed.
• Shape the phrase with your singers' breath, not against it. This piece rewards natural phrasing that lets the text and melody breathe together.
• The recorded accompaniment provides a solid harmonic foundation; encourage your singers to listen actively to it during rehearsals so they internalize the harmonic language without becoming dependent on it.

This is a natural anchor for any graduation concert, particularly effective as a closing piece where the thematic message lingers with the audience. You might also program it in spring concerts celebrating the year's growth, or pair it with other Strommen works to showcase his distinctive approach to contemporary choral writing.

• Phrasing across longer melodic lines with attention to text underlay
• Balancing part independence in SAB voicing without losing textural cohesion
• Singing with accompaniment while maintaining musical ownership of the melody
• Communicating a clear emotional message through tone quality and dynamic shape