You, You Are God: SATB Choral Octavo

The work carries conviction without sentimentality. There's a quiet confidence in the harmonic language and an openness in the vocal writing that invites singers to invest emotionally. Contemporary without being trendy.

Sacred music programs seeking contemporary repertoire with substance beyond the surface. This works for both concert performances and worship settings where you want artistic depth alongside devotional content.

• Shape the opening phrase with attention to where your soloists or section leaders naturally want to breathe; let that inform how the full choir enters.
• Balance the contemporary harmonic language by thinking of each chord as a color choice rather than a passing moment. Each sonority deserves clarity.
• Find the emotional core early in rehearsal. Singers need to know whether this is celebratory or introspective (or both), and that will guide every dynamic and vowel choice.
• Record a rehearsal mix and listen for blend in the middle voices; the alto and tenor lines often carry harmonic weight in modern sacred writing like this.

Pair this with one longer, more dramatic sacred work to create a program that spans both intimate and expansive moments. It also pairs well as a closing piece that sends singers and listeners out with an affirming message. The ten-page length keeps it manageable for directors building mixed concerts.

• Balancing harmonic sophistication with clarity of text
• Navigating contemporary chord progressions and resolutions
• Singing with conviction in a devotional context
• Blending in four-part writing with exposed upper harmony voices