Still In My Heart

This beautiful and poignant ballad can be used for any occasion of remembrance, such as Patriot Day (September 11), Veterans Day, or Memorial Day. It can also be used for any occasion specific to your school or community, such as the honoring or remembering of a beloved teacher or student.

The melody is gentle and haunting and actually rather simple. If you want to perform the song in unison, it will absolutely work. We have chosen to use a soloist at the beginning (Grace Morgan), but this is optional. We have also chosen to add parts 2 and 3 from measure 17 on. You can combine solos, solis, part 1, part 2 and/or part 3 in any way you like. If you have students with lower, changing, or changed voices, part 3 is very nice. If not, just parts 1 and 2 will sound lovely as well.

Part of the beauty of this song is on the recording in the form of a string trio. Violist Mike Strauss, violinist Phil Palermo, and cellist Marjie Hanna are our featured performers. It would be a treat to your students to let them listen to the wonderful performance of these extraordinary musicians. Their parts are cued on the piano/vocal in case you want to perform the piece live and you have your own string trio.

To make the song extra special, you may want to add sign language. We have included illustrations of signs in this issue on page 27 with the lyrics.

Online extras - For rehearsal purposes, you can find MP3s of part 2, part 3, and an isolated a cappella version of the vocals of this song online. You will find these under the "Graphics and Extras" for Volume 16, No. 1 at MusicK8.com