Secular Concert Openers and Closers

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

Choirs will love the rhythmic drive and energy of this meaningful composition. The Ojibway text means "Come in, two-legged beings. Come in all people. There is good life here." A wonderful opening

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.

From Three Motets for Unaccompanied Choirs, this work for SSATBB voices is a strong contest/festival selection for mature choirs.

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

Choral ensembles always find such joy in singing music by a composer who truly understands the voice and the choral art. With logical voice leadings in and out of thorny places, creative use of independent

This work is an energetic reimagining of timeless text and tune from the 12th-century poet, composer, and philosopher Hildegard of Bingen. The marriage of the Caritas Abunda chant with a text taken

Alexander Carmichael's "Carmina Gadelica" is a six-volume set of various prayers, songs, poems, invocations, and other lore he collected over a close to 50-year period (1860-1909) in the Gaelic speaking

This short but soaring "Amen" can be sung a cappella or accompanied with the simple piano part included. Try it as a benediction, a choral reflection, or as a short farewell to close a service or

A whirling circle dance, the exuberance of youth, kaleidoscopic images of rural life and love - all are captured in Alexander Blok's poem and artfully set to music. Filled with dramatic dynamic contrasts

Siegfried Sassoon's text depicts the unbridled joy at the end of the First World War mixed with bittersweet sorrow. The final phrase, "the singing will never be done" hints at the irony of this joy amid

This energetic and spirited piece alternates between call-and-response sections and homophonic ones, exhibiting an ABA form overall. It is a great opener to any concert. Composed for the Columbus

This festive original setting of the traditional Latin text captures the essence of joyful admiration of God. Both solemn and majestic, pensive and jubilant, the a cappella sonorities expressed and explored

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,

This dramatic piece filled with rhythmic ostinatos and mixed meters is energetic, powerful, and creative; it truly brings the text to life. Excellent opener, closer, or even as the centerpiece of any choral

"May the roads rise up to meet you, may the winds be always at your back... until we meet again." Available in a cappella and accompanied versions, the lovely choral texture utilizes straightforward rhythms

Beginning simply with soprano 1 in unison, this setting of the traditional text builds to a gorgeous full four-part contrapuntal Amen. The text then repeats, this time homophonically in four parts, with a

Stacey Gibbs hits a home run with this African folk song. The piece is full of joy and expectation and useful as a concert opener or as a processional. Rhythmic energy, strong vocal writing and energy are

This arrangement of the lesser-known spiritual Long Fare You Well builds on the expressive melody by incorporating fragments of the tune throughout the choral writing and culminates in a glorious

As a concert closer, signature piece, encore or graduation song, this a cappella original is a little gem!  "Days come, days go.  We try to take the time to let love grow.  Don't ignore the

This beautiful historic Irish blessing is a prayer that is well known and loved the world over. Set with a peaceful rhythmic simplicity, this expressive a cappella setting allows the text to shine through,

"The song we sing is meant to bring a moment of truth in soft weather, where care and worry lift away and we can breathe together ... for we are home." Robert Bode's text of togetherness is the perfect way

This lovely original song has the feel of an Irish ballad. It opens with a solo voice and continues to add layers until it achieves its four-part texture. Performed a cappella or with an optional guitar

This song of praise from South Africa has vocal parts that are accessible and repetitive, so learning the initial rhythms and texts makes this a quick learn. Adding a soloist or percussion will take this