Does the piece hold an element of surprise, a turn, a chord or rhythm that is unexpected?
If the answer is yes, then the piece will “wear well” and will be one that can be rehearsed and listened to over and over again. For instance, I have conducted Britten’s Friday Afternoons thousands of times with a variety of treble ensembles. Every time I revisit this great choral song cycle I find something new and refreshing to ponder. At 21, Britten was able to write an uncanny collection of songs for children of all ages, including adult singers. (See the Fall 2009 newsletter for a detailed description of these great pieces.) 3. Does the piece contain a challenging or enlightening text? The quality or appropriateness of the lyrics is so important in evaluating a piece of music. The text evaluation should also include the composer’s ability for clear text versification. If syllables are placed on the melody in an awkward manner with improper syllabic emphasis, the singers will always struggle. 4. Do the melodies and harmonies properly represent the text? This is an extremely importa
