More Than Beauty
VOICING: SATB (divisi) Choir, a cappella
DIFFICULTY: medium advanced
TONE: folksy hymnody
DURATION: 3'40"
YEAR COMPOSED: 2022
GENERAL: Commissioned and Premiered by Greenwood Community High School (Indiana 2022) Greenwood Choir Parent Organization President, Brian Lowe
TEXT: Daniel Watson
More Than Beauty
Consider the lilies in winter,
Or when the oak trees long ago
Were planted with patience in plans that we would wait
For far more than beauty to grow.
When trying to hold out through the weather
And spells of silence move so slow,
Remember that anything you want that is worthwhile
Can take a little time to grow.
Storms will come and sharp winds blow.
Rain comes crashing and never seems to go.
Floods rush swiftly to the valley's end
And all this makes our nature so.
Note from the Composer
“More Than Beauty” is the product of a year and a half of reflection during the COVID-19 pandemic. A simple melody and supporting harmonies create a folksy, hymnodic color, like a tune that is already well-familiar to the community from years past. The text invites introspection surrounding a variety of nonspecific difficult circumstances. Many “ands” in the text depict the cumulatively growing struggles and obstacles (silence, storms, rain) throughout life’s journey. Major and minor tonal shifts illuminate different perspectives of the same set of circumstances (“Storms will come...”). While difficult and tiresome, these challenges lead to growth and positive change that shines brighter than a simple view of “beauty”. While challenges do no define a person, they are formative. “All this makes our nature so.”
Ordering Scores
This work is published as a digital score with a performance license. The cost is $3.00 per score, 10 copy minimum order.
To Order:
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Click the link to email Daniel Watson Music LLC.
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Specify the total number of performers (include all singers, directors, pianists) and the name of your choir.
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An invoice will be sent to you via PayPal requesting payment.
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Once payment is received, you will emailed the licensed PDF for the above number of copies within three business days (excluding weekends and holidays).