The Gift to Sing, Matthew Emery | Santa Barbara Music Publishing, Inc.

The Gift to Sing [level: Medium]
Matthew Emery: Bio and other works | Jamie Hillman Choral Series

voicing: SATB | catalog number: SBMP 1663 | duration: c. 3’25” | price: $2.60
accompaniment: piano

The Gift to Sing, the inaugural piece in the Jamie Hillman Choral Series, is a setting of the poem of the same name by revered African American poet and civil rights leader James Weldon Johnson. Matthew Emery’s (b. 1991) unique ability to tell a story through song is perfectly coupled with Johnson’s hopeful and inspiring words on the power of singing to overcome grief, strife, and adversity. The work utilizes a somewhat varied strophic form, though phrases are slightly varied and developed. Different textures are created so that each section presents the main theme, and various voices add counterpoint which cause the piece to blossom. An exciting choice for concert, festival, honor choir, competition, assembly, or Black History Month.

performance by: 2022 Utah Junior All-State Choir [© all rights reserved]

CLICK HERE: See and Hear the Complete Score or download a perusal copy: HERE

CLICK HERE: Read the Text or Poem

Sometimes the mist overhangs my path,
And blackening clouds about me cling;
But, oh, I have a magic way
To turn the gloom to cheerful day—
I softly sing.

And if the way grows darker still,
Shadowed by Sorrow’s somber wing,
With glad defiance in my throat,
I pierce the darkness with a note,
And sing, and sing.

I brood not over the broken past,
Nor dread whatever time may bring;
No nights are dark, no days are long,
While in my heart there swells a song,
And I can sing.

James Weldon Johnson

CLICK HERE: Choral Tracks (Practice made simple)

The Gift to Sing choral track bundle contains a part dominant track for each voice part, a balanced voices track, and an accompaniment track if the work is not a cappella (the accompaniment is also included with the part dominant and balanced voices track). Get more information and listen to samples HERE. Please note that the choral score is not included in the bundle and needs to be ordered separately.

Price: $49.99 (Each bundle is licensed to be used by up to 50 users)
Please adjust the quantity accordingly if you have more than 50 users.

This score is available in Printed or ePrint format at checkout (More Information)

Reviews | submit review

"Wow, the choir performing this was truly amazing!!"
review by: Yassen, springville, utah - master singers