Secular Concert Openers and Closers

Begin your performance or concert with this festive, rhythmic processional that features layered African drum ostinati and homophonic chordal harmonies. The Swahili text is easy to learn, and the setting is

This setting keeps the favorite spiritual rooted in the past but sounding fresh and new. This energetic arrangement was premiered at the ACDA National Conference in 2015 - it's a great concert closer that

A dynamic a cappella world music selection featuring a call and response solo, optional improvised percussion and movement, and a divided choir option. The song is a traditional South African celebratory

Bring each section of the choir down a different aisle to add a theatrical element to the opening of your program and highlight the antiphonal qualities of this piece. Built upon three accessible parts in

This tremendous work will make a fantastic concert opener! The dramatic solo opening is followed by an up-tempo traditional-style choral arrangement of this South African song with djembe and handclaps.

Inspired by Psalm 133, composer Michael John Trotta has written a lovely a cappella piece that celebrates the unity of brotherhood among all people. This calm, sonorous work is the perfect choice for a

A very impressive opener or contest/festival piece! Bright, fanfare-like motives, incisive accompaniment, and text in Latin and English work together to make this work a standout for young and developing

Walt Whitman's Song of the Open Road is the basis for this expansive and melodic original composition that is perfectly suited to the young chorus. Limited range melodies and chordal harmonies soar

Commissioned for a premiere performance at the Texas Music Educators Association 2000 convention, Joseph Martin's Come to the Music is alive and electric with driving rhythm, memorable melodies,

This stately and elegant setting of Purcell's masterwork from Birthday Ode for Queen Mary is adapted specifically for developing choirs. With vocal ranges that work well for young singers, the

Grandiose and exciting, this festive piece has rhythmic energy in the vocal lines coupled with an active yet supportive piano accompaniment. With a variety of accessible voicings, this piece is fitting for

Great as a festival opener, this triumphant setting of a traditional Latin text includes a pronunciation and translation guide and is great for teaching pure vowel sounds. Mixed meter sets an exciting mood

The strong, driving rhythms and exciting dynamic contrasts of this Latin setting will keep your audience and choir engaged right up to the final vigorous "Hallelujah!" Very catchy, fun to sing and easy to

A rhythmic keyboard introduction sets the stage for this classic festival opener for developing choirs. Approachable vocal ranges and the use of repetition assure success, while a bit of mixed meter along

A gorgeous setting of the well-known English prayer text. Available in a variety of voicings, this blessing is a wonderful way to conclude a service or performance.

This tremendously fun arrangement of a South African greeting song exclaims, "Iyo hlonolofatsa, Ka lebitso la ntate," which translates as, "Bless everything in the name of the Father." Featuring a soloist,

"What will I do with the portion given to me? I will sing." This fantastic work, written in a gospel style with an ecumenical text that challenges each of us to make the most of the lives we've been given,

This traditional South African song celebrates life and the paradise that is to come. An upbeat a cappella texture is punctuated with the rhythmic text and singable melody in a dynamic world music selection

The familiar African saying, "It takes a village to raise a child," is appropriately set to tribal-sounding music in this marvelous cross-cultural feature. A great closer, this piece is a proven audience

For the advanced concert choir, this arrangement of Rodgers and Hammerstein's song from the 1945 production "State Fair" is a great opener or concert theme!

This is a fantastic festival piece! The Latin words taken from the Psalms are joyful, and the parts are easily learned. The antiphonal nature of the work sets it apart as a great concert opener or