Psalm of the Sky SAB

for SAB chorus, piano, and violin

by Sarah Riskind

In the poem “Psalm of the Sky,” Rabbi Rachel Barenblat reimagines “The Lord is My Shepherd” (Psalm 23) in a contemporary context. Performers may highlight the many instances of text painting and create contrast between moments of gentleness, boldness, and carefree movement. The last verse of Psalm 23 is included in Hebrew as a coda in a similar style to many prayers sung in Jewish worship; this allusion to Barenblat’s textual inspiration is intended to express the enduring human need for comfort and hope despite changing modes of worship.

Psalm of the Sky was commissioned by the Creative Commissions Project at the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music, sponsored by the Harmony Fund, and it was premiered by Ensemble X at St. Xavier High School in Cincinnati. This work is ideal for moderate to advanced high school, university, and community choirs. It is also available for TBB (the original), and SSA.

SKU: SRD-004a Categories: Choral Music, Mixed Voices Instrumentation: Choral

Sacred or Secular:	Sacred
Season or Event:	Concert, General, Jewish Festival
Difficulty:	Intermediate, Advanced Student
Duration:	5-10 Minutes
Voicing:	SAB, SATB
Language:	English, Hebrew
Descriptive Tags:	Comfort, Devotion, Jewish, Peace, Poetry, Prayer, PROJECT : ENCORE, Psalm, Reverence, Worship
Instrumentation:	Piano, Violin

$3.95

This title is available in print. For both options, there is a minimum required quantity of 8 copies for choral titles. Please support self-publishing composers by ordering the quantity according to the number of singers in the ensemble that will perform the work.

Print orders are printed on demand and shipped by our printing partner, and can be expected to be processed within a few days of the order. Please do not hesitate to contact [email protected] to follow up.

Choose Format

Clear

Quantity

Explore More Music…

	Title	Voicing	Duration	Language	Composer
	Border for SATB choir a cappella RCL-024	SATB	3'15"	English	Campbell, Rich	Info/Listen/Buy »
“Border” is an artistic response to the immigration/refugee crisis around the globe (especially in the United States). The opening passage is: “Border, sanctuary, asylum, bridges not walls.” The text draws from (and paraphrases) several sources: contemporary media, Emma Lazarus’ “The New Colossus,” the Bible’s Matthew 25:31-40, currency, and others. The changing meters of “Border” fill […]
	Christmas Time in the Eyes of a Child for children's choir and piano GTT-003	SA ⋅ Unison	2'50"	English	Thornett, Gordon	Info/Listen/Buy »
Christmas Time in the Eyes of a Child is a light-hearted secular Christmas song for children, although it could be performed by adults. This version is specifically arranged for children’s choir with piano accompaniment, and can either be sung in unison or in two parts (SA). There is also a solo version and a mixed choir (SATB) version available, the […]
	If Ever There Is for SATB choir a cappella RCL-004	SATB	5'15"	English	Campbell, Rich	Info/Listen/Buy »
“If Ever There Is” is a setting of “John’s Song,” by American poet Robert Creeley (1926-2005). The poem has a dedication to the poet John Taggart; the style of wordplay and repetition here can also be found in Taggart’s poetry. I hear it as a prayer for peace. In 1967 Creeley signed a “Writers and […]
	If I Can Sing, I Still am Free for SATB choir and piano RCL-003	SATB	3'30"	English	Campbell, Rich	Info/Listen/Buy »
2016 Idaho All-State, 2018 Arkansas All-State selection “If I Can Sing, I Still Am Free” was the winner of the San Diego choir SACRA/PROFANA’s 2014 composition competition. It’s an ideal piece for festivals and large ensembles, with a text that champions inner strength in the face of adversity. It has quickly become one of Campbell’s […]
	Invitation to a Voyage for SSATBB choir a cappella SDE-005	SATB ⋅ SSATBB	7'	English	Dole, Sanford	Info/Listen/Buy »
This setting of Charles Baudelaire’s iconic poem captures the “luxury” and “voluptuousness” of Edna St. Vincent Millay’s radiant translation. The six-part texture allows for thick, evocative chords in Dole’s jazz-influenced harmonic world. Slowly evolving chord progressions paint a picture of a person truly in love with another, asking that they go on a long journey […]
	O Gift of Glorious Sunrise for SATB choir CME-008	SATB	3'30"	English	Mallonee, Caroline	Info/Listen/Buy »
A lyrical carol for SATB choir, this Christmas piece imagines sunrise on the first Christmas morning. “O Gift of Glorious Sunrise” was premiered in Buffalo, NY in December 2015 by the Vocalis Chamber Choir (James Burritt conducting).
	O Sacrum Convivium for mixed choir a cappella SDE-008	SATB	2'20"	English ⋅ Latin	Dole, Sanford	Info/Listen/Buy »
A lovely setting of the well-known communion prayer by Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274), this version has the choir sing both the original Latin and later in English translation. This anthem is indicative of my compositional style, including rapidly shifting harmonic centers. However, it is very approachable for both the singers and listeners, employing simple four-part harmonies […]
	Tyger! for mixed choir a cappella GTT-019	SATB	2' 45"	English	Thornett, Gordon	Info/Listen/Buy »
This is an a cappella setting of William Blake’s poem ‘The Tyger’ for mixed choir (SATB) with some divisions. It may be performed on its own, or preferably as a companion piece to ‘Little Lamb, who made thee?’, also obtainable through Swirly Music. It is suggested that ‘Little Lamb’ be performed first, as there is […]
	Voices Taking Flight for TTB choir a cappella RCL-013	TTB	2'40"	English	Campbell, Rich	Info/Listen/Buy »
“Voices Taking Flight” is an uptempo and energetic piece written for youthful male voices. It is rhythmic, dynamic, and contains accessible harmonies throughout. It’s a lively concert opener, appropriate for civic & community events and ideal for adding movement & choreography. The lyrics are empowering and inspiring. The ranges of each part are limited, making […]