RELEASED: March 2023

voicing: SATB | catalog number: SBMP 1716 | price: $2.90
accompaniment: piano

Moonlight, a literal reflection of sunlight, is a promise that the sun is still shining -- even when the sun is not visible. Alec Schumacker musically paints these words in this rhythmic, exciting new piece! Set in mixed-meter and full of variety throughout. An active, articulate piano accompaniment keeps this one moving from start to finish. A great concert opener or closer for high school and collegiate mixed choral ensembles. 


performance by: Hopkins High School Concert Choir (Minnetonka, MN) - Philip Brown, conductor [© all rights reserved]

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

CLICK HERE: Read the Text or Poem

Poem in its original form:
m(pr
Om
is
e th
e su
n st
ill
shine 
s) O- 
On
li 
gh 
t.

Christopher Schmicker

CLICK HERE: Choral Tracks (Practice made simple)

Promise 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.

CLICK HERE: Alec Schumacker performance notes

I first encountered Chris Schmicker’s remarkable poem Promise in a collection of poetry and short stories she contributed to in high school (she and Chris were high school classmates). I was struck by how simple and profound the message was – moonlight, a literal reflection of sunlight, is a promise that the sun is still shining, even when the sun is not visible.

The music aims to depict that concept of reflection via continuous simultaneous inversion. Almost every melodic idea in the piece is presented right-side up and upside down at the same time, just like how moonlight is inverted or reflected sunlight.

Promise was commissioned by Philip Brown and the Hopkins High School Concert Choir in 2016. Many thanks to Philip and his singers for bringing this piece to life!

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

Reviews | submit review

"Alec's creativity shines in his composition of Promise. As the commissioning choir, it was easy for us to feel slightly overwhelmed initially by the visually look of the music. After a few rehearsals, the voice parts are quickly memorable and the overarching melodies and harmonic concepts employed created such beautiful and intriguing sounds. A skilled pianist is needed :)"
review by: Philip Brown, Bloomington , MN - Angelica Cantanti Youth Choirs

Featured on the following reading sessions
2023 | Rodney Eichenberger & Edith Copley Choral Conductor's Workshop - Seaside, OR - July 24-28