MS – Jen Lowry

Reuben, Reuben– Vijay Singh, SSA

Do Not Stand at My Grave and Weep – Laura Farnell, SATB  

Jingle, Jingle, Jingle – Greg Gilpin, 2-part w/ optional kazoos

MS – Joanna Habermann

Winter Dream by James DesJardins

Unison, with piano and optional violin (also for 3-pt mixed, with optional baritone)

I fell in love with this little gem listening to the sweet voices of the 2013 FMEA All-State Elementary Chorus on Spotify. (Hint: check out that recording instead of the one that’s linked.) It’s a beautiful text and a haunting melody that’s lyrical and singable, and great if you need something for winter that’s non-Christmas. This is a lovely song for teaching phrasing and word stress with an upper elementary or middle school choir. 

All of Me from “A Vision Unfolding” by Kyle Pederson

SATB, with piano and violin (also for TTBB)

This song conveys a strong message of bridging divides between people of different backgrounds. With its contemporary style and relevant text, it will resonate with the youth of today, growing up in our polarized society. The writing is simple and smart; about half the time the SA sing in unison and two-thirds of the time the TB sing in unison, with more expansive harmonies only at selectively chosen moments, so even if you don’t think your Jr. High or High School Choir has quite the forces to sing in four parts, you still might be able to pull this one off. 

Cantate Domino by Heinrich Schütz (1585-1672), ed. Nancy Grundahl

SSA, a cappella

This is a great Baroque hit that really sparkles in young treble voices. Though the independent lines may seem intimidating at first, it is accomplishable for middle schoolers, given adequate rehearsal time. It’s delightfully fun to sing the imitative lines weaving back and forth, and great for teaching active diction and shared rhythmic unity. I never regret exposing young singers to music from historical time periods, and many of them end up loving these songs too. You do have to study your music and practice conducting it, though! Here’s a nice recording.