Everyone Sang (Lovdahl)

This poem, “Everyone Sang” by Siegfried Sassoon, spoke to me in a profound way as we dealt with the COVID-19 pandemic. I, like many others, experienced moments of dread and uncertainty: Will choral singing survive this? Will music-making ever be the same? While it does seem that our collective mindset around music and public performance has been changed forever, the natural urge to “make a joyful noise” can survive just about anything. Sassoon puts forth the sanguine notion that “the singing will never be done,” and that simple line at the end of the poem gives me great hope. When I was urged to write a three-part mixed choir piece, two things came immediately to mind: 1.) It should be accessible without forsaking beauty, and 2.) It should incorporate a text that can speak to any person at any age. The piece is dedicated to my middle school choir director, Gloria Knoll. I remember joining choir in 7th grade and being immediately hooked—I felt like I belonged, and was always happiest when “everyone suddenly burst out singing.” The scoring is flexible in the sense that anyone can sing any of the three parts so long as it fits their vocal range, which is perfect for the changing voices of middle school and early high school students.

– Isaac Lovdahl, 2021