Unsung Heroes

A hero comes in many forms. We tend to think of a hero as being a soldier, a firefighter, a member of the police force. Someone who puts his/her life on the line to keep us safe and out of harm's way. And that is, without a doubt, certainly true. But there are many more heroes we encounter every day. People who simply care, offer a warm smile, or sacrifice their time and resources to help others. An attentive crossing guard, a thoughtful janitor, a caring lunch lady, a dedicated teacher. These are just a few examples of the hundreds of unsung heroes we all come across throughout our lives. The song, "Unsung Heroes" pays tribute to the heroes who don't always get the recognition they deserve. It's a poignant tribute to let them know that what they do means a lot to each and every one of us.

The recorded symphonic tracks include a moving blend of piano, strings, and percussion that rise and fall with the emotion of the tune. If you use this piece in a performance, we suggest using the recording as a powerful and appropriate musical backdrop for your singers. However, we have also provided a playable piano part. A simple combination of piano and guitar would also make for a touching accompaniment.

Some things you might try in performance include having some unsung heroes standing by your choir as they sing. When you get to measure 30, where the phrase "unsung heroes" is sung by part 1 (and echoed by part 2 – optional, of course), your singers could gesture to the group being honored. If your local unsung heroes are shy or modest about being put in the spotlight, you could have a slide show of their photos instead. Or, your singers could hold up pictures of people who have been heroes in their lives.

During the section at measure 19, the lyrics specify a few unsung heroes (teacher, soldier, friend, mom, dad). But you could change the words to suit the needs of your program any way you like. For example, instead of soldier, you might sing "pastor."

If you need a little help teaching the optional second part, you will find a separated audio version of it online. (See details on page 62.)