Rider University Chorale: You Do Not Walk Alone

B. E. Boykin (b. 1989)

Brittney Elizabeth Boykin is an American composer, conductor, and pianist whose works celebrate both the complexity and beauty of the human experience. Known for her ability to blend traditional choral techniques with a fresh, contemporary voice, Boykin’s compositions often explore themes of identity, resilience, and joy.

"Music of Life" is a vibrant and uplifting choral work that celebrates the power of music to bring life and energy to our existence. Through flowing melodic lines and rich harmonies, Boykin skillfully captures the emotional depth and transformative quality of music. This piece serves as a reminder of music's essential role in connecting people and elevating the human spirit.

Vittoria Aleotti (1574 – 1646)

Edited by Amelia LeClair

Vittoria Aleotti, an Italian nun and composer, is one of the earliest known female composers to have her works published. Active during the late Renaissance, Aleotti's compositions, though few, display a refined mastery of the madrigal form. "Baciai per haver Vita" ("I kissed to gain life") is a vivid example of her secular music, featuring lush harmonies and intricate polyphonic lines characteristic of Renaissance madrigals. The text explores the themes of love and desire, with Aleotti’s setting capturing both the sweetness and complexity of these emotions.

This edition, edited by Amelia LeClair, revitalizes Aleotti’s work, making it accessible for modern performance while preserving its historical integrity.

Andrea Ramsey (b. 1977)

Andrea Ramsey is a celebrated American composer, conductor, and educator, known for her choral works that combine lyrical beauty with emotional depth. Her music often reflects themes of hope, perseverance, and connection, drawing from both personal experience and universal human emotions.

"The Journey" is a powerful and inspiring choral piece that explores the idea of life as a journey filled with challenges, growth, and discovery. With its uplifting melodies and poignant text, Ramsey creates a musical narrative that speaks to the resilience and courage needed to pursue one's path, no matter the obstacles. The piece invites both performers and listeners to reflect on their own journeys and the importance of perseverance in the face of adversity.

Elaine Hagenberg (b. 1979)

Elaine Hagenberg's music is celebrated for its captivating elegance, praised by the ACDA Choral Journal as "soaring with eloquence and ingenuity." Her compositions have garnered global acclaim, and featured in American Choral Directors Association conferences and prestigious concert halls across Europe, South American, Australia, and Asia.

A staple of choral repertoire, Hagenberg's compositions resonate with audiences worldwide, solidifying her position as a prominent composer of contemporary classical music.

You Do Not Walk Alone is a lovely setting of the traditional Irish Blessing. "May you always remember when the shadows fall, you do not walk alone." No matter how difficult life may be, there is always hope. We will overcome the struggles, knowing there will be someone to help and guide along our journey. This is reflected in how the music moves from a calm scale-wise motion, gradually building until “God’s light” is shown on the horizon and slowly transitions to a peaceful cadence.

Elaine Hagenberg (b. 1979)

Award-winning American composer Elaine Hagenberg, recipient of the prestigious ACDA Brock Competition for Professional Composers, has received commissions from diverse ensemble types from Community choirs to Professional choirs and organizations such as the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA).

These commissions attest to her expertise and versatility, solidifying her reputation as a sought-after composer of contemporary choral music.

Tyger is Elaine Hagenberg’s setting of William Blake’s Tyger. The lively piano accompaniment coupled with changing meters creates unbridled energy which describes the tiger’s strength, bravery and skills. 

Susan LaBarr (b. 1981)

American composer Susan LaBarr's music delves into the intersections of nature, spirituality, and introspection. Her distinctive compositional style is marked by lyricism that evokes emotional depth, rhythmic vitality that imbues energy and dynamism.

Her distinctive style crafts a rich sonic landscape, engaging listeners in a deeply moving musical experience.

The poem was initially intended as a Christmas blessing. It talks about how we can achieve peace and happiness. It begins with people that we know or at least with the people we regard as friends and family from whom little acts of kindness can be shown everyday in our own little way. When we try accepting people as they are, and listening to what they have to say, we find hope that our world will be better and it should start with each one of us.

Rosephanye Powell '87 (b. 1962)

Born in 1962, in Montgomery, Alabama, Rosephanye Powell is a well-known American composer, conductor, singer and music educator celebrated for her contributions to choral music.

Her compositions elegantly merge traditional African-American music with classical sensibilities, showcasing captivating melodies, lush harmonies and rhythmic vibrancy.

This joyful gospel-style setting of Powell’s own text expresses the pain endured by African-American women. This is composed for SATB, solo and piano. Starting on the key of A-flat major, it ends with a triumphant A major symbolizing freedom after years of struggle.