I have used the following pieces with my elementary choir, and they’ve been both successful and enjoyable for the students.

Developing Voices

These selections are primarily unison, making them excellent choices for building tone quality and healthy vocal technique.

Path to the Moon by Eric H. Thiman

A must-have for any elementary choral library, this gentle unison piece is ideal for teaching phrasing, tone, and head voice placement. The vocal line is beautifully written for young singers, making it an effective tool for developing resonance and breath control.

Available from JW Pepper

YouTube performance: Prelude Choir of the Cary-Apex Youth Choir

Come Closer by Daniel Kallman

With its lyrical, flowing melody, this unison piece encourages expressive tone production. The age-appropriate text captures the wonder of nature through a child’s eyes, offering both musical and poetic beauty. Written with young voices in mind, it is highly singable and rewarding.

Available from JW Pepper, Hal Leonard, Daniel Kallman Website (includes a recording by Children’s Chorus of the Honor Choirs of Southeast Minnesota, Amy Nelson)

YouTube Performance: Gwinnett Young Singers Treble Choir

Bandicoot  by Carolyn Jennings

Playful and energetic, this piece delights singers while focusing on articulation and tone. Its lively character makes it a great choice for younger elementary or non-auditioned choirs.

Available from JW Pepper, Hal Leonard

YouTube Performance: Rutgers Children’s Choir

Fall Festival

These selections make excellent fall repertoire and introductory pieces for elementary choirs, whether auditioned or non-auditioned, and are well-suited for Festival performances.

I See the Moon by Douglas Beam

This lyrical piece is a lovely song to work on phrasing and tone for developing voices. The A and B sections, that later combine, offer a wonderful experience for beginning part singing.

Available from JW Pepper

YouTube Audio: Brentfield Singers

Fall Leaves by Penny Rodriguez

Set to a charming text written by a seven-year-old, this joyful piece captures the whirling and tossing of autumn leaves. Using unison, call-and-response, and brief two-part writing, it offers variety while remaining approachable for young choirs.

Available from JW Pepper, Alfred Music

YouTube Score & Sound

Fly, Fly, Fly by Kelsey Hohnstein-Reinhart

This fun and carefree work, set to Christina Rossetti’s text, depicts the flight of a bird across the sea at summer’s end. With a supportive, colorful accompaniment and a vocal range well-suited to treble voices, it introduces achievable part singing that is wonderful for building independence.

Available from JW Pepper, Hal Leonard

Hal Leonard Audio YouTube

Some One by Cristi Cary Miller

My students loved this piece! It will captivate students with its haunting setting of Sir Walter de la Mare’s text. The optional bassoon part adds richness and atmosphere. The well written and crafted vocal lines guide singers to focus on articulation, phrasing, dynamics and expressive singing, making it both educational and fun to sing.

Available from JW Pepper, Hal Leonard

Hal Leonard Audio YouTube