Send us your song!

Eugene Peace Choir is always looking for new songs with a message of peace, social justice or environmental sustainability. We perform slow, rousing and simple numbers, along with audience sing-a-longs and complex pieces that display the artistry of the choir. We like to balance humor and seriousness with a variety of styles.

We know there are far more good songs out there than we can find on our own. So, if you have created a song you think fits us, please send it!

Here's the deal:

When we choose your song, we'll send you a letter of appreciation saying that your song was selected for performance by our choir. We will ask you for a license to perform it, but you retain all rights.

We give you credit for your work whenever we sing your song.

If other choirs wish to sing your song-which can happen, since we perform at festivals-we refer them to you. Your song can then become an honored part of community choir repertoires in many areas of the Pacific Northwest!

What we look for in a song:

First, DO WE LOVE IT? When we perform a song, each choir member spends time with it, learns and internalizes it. Would we enjoy it? Could we adopt it as our own expression? Can the choir, with that song, get beyond the words and music entirely to create an experience that goes straight into the hearts of the listeners?

Second, is it SINGABLE? Are there melodies or harmonies or something enjoyable for singers in each part? How is the balance of parts? How technically difficult is it to sing or remember? Are the lyrics too complex? Is it a good song FOR A CHOIR? Or does its effect depend on the artistry of a particular singer or on an instrumental setting?

Third, is it READY? Is there a CD? Tracks of the different voice parts? A musical score? Is it arranged for choral singing in three or four voices? The Eugene Peace Choir learns things from scores or by ear, depending on the style and complexity of the music. We do new choral arrangements for a piece or two a year at the most. If possible, please send us your piece already arranged for choral singing.

Finally, is the MESSAGE of the song clear? Are the lyrics appropriate and meaningful? We are a secular choir that sings in support of environmental sustainability, peace and social justice. We aren't afraid of spiritual lyrics - they just need to serve one or more of those causes. What about the history and tradition of the song? The political and social context of the times? Content, context and delivery together need to create a message that fits our purpose.

The bottom line: Send us your song!

© 2008-2012 Eugene Peace Choir | Designed and Hand-Built by Tom Berg | Updated 8-2-2013