Santa Barbara Music The Gift to Sing - Johnson/Emery - SATB

• Composer/Author: EMERY, MATTHEW
• Instrumentation: SATB ACCOMP
• Genre: CANADIAN
• Grade/Level: MEDIUM-EASY
• Model # SBMP1663

Lyrics: James Weldon Johnson (1871-1938)
Music: Matthew Emery
Format: Choral Octavo
Voicing: SATB with piano accompaniment

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, honour choir, competition, assembly, or Black History Month.