Songs about the Human Experience

This song by Francis Smith Thomas, a close friend of the Martin Luther King, Jr. family, was inspired by the words of a woman who participated in the Montgomery bus boycott, a pivotal event in the civil

From poet Linda Studley comes an empowering text: "We are the ones who take the chance, who sing the song, who step the dance, who dare to try...." Treble choirs will revel in this setting of the text which

A banjo-like piano accompaniment and expressive fiddle stylings lend folk authenticity to this plaintive and moving choral setting of Stephen Foster's classic song. The text is set simply but fully, with

"When the song of the angels is stilled, when the star in the sky is gone... the work of Christmas begins." This setting of a poem by Howard Thurman, presented as an ethereal benediction, is truly a

Originally written by James Taylor for the musical "Working," this piece tells the story of a young woman trapped in a difficult life of physical labor. While this song is from the 1970s, it continues to

This powerful message is about mustering the courage to leap from one stage of life into the next. Melodic lines are juxtaposed with a lively piano accompaniment creating bold expressiveness and strong

With a lively folk music-influenced piano accompaniment, soaring vocal lines, and an uplifting hope-filled message, this piece overflows with exuberance and joy from start to finish. The text from Richard

With a text centered around divine love, and the depths of that love, the music is characterized by slow-moving cluster chords, soaring voice leading, and first inversion chords that give a feeling of

While this text is most famous for being set by Samuel Barber, this new setting offers a splendid new choice. This arrangement for piano, cello and women's choir is lush and distinct for its contemporary

"All we are we have found in song" is the first line of this stunningly beautiful poem by Euan Tait, set to music by Norwegian composer Kim Andre Arnesen.  This romantic notion is woven throughout

Based on Frances Anne Kemble's poem An Entreaty, this enchanting piece describes the experience of leaving a beloved time and place. Lush harmonic language and lyrical melodies vividly paint these