If...

Description

Tenor 1, Tenor 2, Bass 1, Bass 2, Piano — This classic poem by Rudyard Kipling can, at first, sound like a series of stipulations for manhood. While it is all wonderful advice, I chose to set this text in a way that gradually transitions from "ifxa0you can" to simply, "you can!"As the choir moves into the contrapuntal section at m. 37, I imagine each section of the choir cheering the other sections on as they strive for their own personal greatness. The basses kick off the cheers of "you can" at m. 45, with the whole choir joining at m. 49, leading into the rousing final section of the result of strong personal choices: "Yours is the earth, and everything that's in it."If optional text is needed for your ensemble from m. 58 to the end, consider "You'll know the race is run" or a text of your choosing. Kipling's powerful text is made even more empowering within the context of Reid's choral setting for TTBB ensembles. If . . . contains accessible vocal lines and opportunities for each section to shine.

Preview Pages