The Sound of School Choir

“The Sound of School Choir” brings together a wide-ranging collection of choral works often found in school choir repertoires, from classical to contemporary, sacred to secular. The playlist includes selections by major composers like Benjamin Britten, Handel, and Rossini alongside modern choral voices such as Z. Randall Stroope, Eric William Barnum, and Jim Papoulis. Familiar traditional pieces and spirituals like “Steal Away,” “Wayfaring Stranger,” and “Children, Go Where I Send Thee” sit next to global arrangements such as “Tshotsholoza,” “Muie Rendera,” and “Izar Ederrak,” reflecting the diversity often embraced by educational choral programs.

Ideal for anyone looking to revisit the experience of school choir concerts, the playlist features both polished studio recordings and energetic live performances from student ensembles. It highlights the variety of challenges and styles choirs often learn—from powerful anthems and dramatic opera choruses like Bizet’s “Toreador Chorus,” to reflective works like “Earth Song” and “There Will Come Soft Rains.” This playlist is a snapshot of the school choral tradition in its many forms.