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Discovering the Magic of Children’s Voices Composing and Programming for Elementary Choirs

with more than one emotion in a piece.” Like the Pixar rest for a while, then come back with clear eyes to self-
movie “Inside Out,” Mark noted that “sometimes the edit or ask an editor to review your work. Your initial
richest memories are tinged with multiple colors and idea may be quite different than the finished product;
feelings.” but through the hard work of editing and evaluating
As composers and directors, we play an important and rewriting, you’ll uncover hidden potential in your
role in helping children discover the music within them- piece. Remain open to feedback from trusted friends
selves. Have you ever programmed a piece that didn’t and mentors; road test your piece with a small group
connect with your singers? In these situations, the mes- of singers to see if it really sings well. Children deserve
sage falls flat because it fails to resonate with the child’s our very best, and the time we spend crafting our music
experience. When you are selecting or writing music will be worth it.
for children, seek out a text that is truly brought to life What a gift to walk alongside young choristers as
through song. Study the pairing of melody and lyric; they discover their voices! As we continue this impor-
does the musical setting complement the lyric structure tant work, may we all seek to bring our best to the ones
and enhance the text? Young children are both literal we teach and shepherd. When we give our children op-
and imaginative. In much of what I program for early portunities to experience and create beautiful music,
elementary students, the lyrics are understandable, en- we help instill a lifelong love of music that remains long
courage children to wonder, and rarely provide static after we’ve left the rehearsal room.
answers.

NOTES
A Final Word
To my fellow composers: we have to be willing to let 1 Helen Kemp, Of Primary Importance, Volume II, Choristers
go of ideas that don’t work. I often end up with stray Guild (1991).
phrases, melodies, and accompaniment figures that hit
the chopping room floor during editing. Let your piece

CHORAL JOURNAL March/April 2023 Volume 63 Number 7 23