RELEASED: July 2022

voicing: SATB | catalog number: SBMP 1683 | duration: 3’15” | price: $2.40
accompaniment: piano

Ancient trees represent longevity, wisdom and steadfastness in our ever-changing world.  Amy Bernon brings these qualities to life in “The Soul of a Tree” through new melodies that echo those from early music. This piece was runner-up of the first ACDA Pearl Prize contest.


performance by: University of Toronto MacMillan Singers - Jamie Hillman, conductor [© all rights reserved]

CLICK HERE: See and Hear the Complete Score or download a perusal copy: HERE

CLICK HERE: Read the Text or Poem

The Soul of a Tree

I sing of the soul, of the soul of a tree,
I sing of the soul, of the soul of a tree,
as cool and forgiving as night after sun,
when the notes of the sparrow are secret, (hush) unsung.

The soul of a tree, the soul of a tree
sings an ancient, ancient song.

The soul of a tree is the deepest place,
where the seedling takes hold, where the rootwater waits,
where the sky sleeps for the night, in a branch-bend,
in the shade of a leaf-tip, seeking wisdom in bark.

The soul of a tree, the soul of a tree
sings an ancient, ancient song. Ah…

I sing of the soul, of the soul of a tree,
I sing of the soul, of the soul of a tree,
as cool and forgiving as night after sun,
when the notes of the sparrow are secret, (hush) unsung.

CLICK HERE: Choral Tracks (Practice made simple)

The Soul of a Tree choral track bundle contains a part dominant track for each voice part, a balanced voices track, and an accompaniment track if the work is not a cappella (the accompaniment is also included with the part dominant and balanced voices track). Get more information and listen to samples HERE. Please note that the choral score is not included in the bundle and needs to be ordered separately.

Price: $49.99 (Each bundle is licensed to be used by up to 50 users)
Please adjust the quantity accordingly if you have more than 50 users.

This score is available in Printed or ePrint format at checkout (More Information)

Reviews | submit review

"Lyrical and lovely. I programmed this for a regional honor choir, and the students LOVED it: the beautiful lines that sit well in the voice, thoughtful cluster chords, and a text that sparks good conversation."
review by: Nicole Lamartine, Ellensburg, WA - Central Washington University

Featured on the following reading sessions
2024 | Next Direction Choral Leadership Conference, 7/15, Nicole Lamartine, Clinician
2023 | North Central - Luther College Dorian Music Festival 2023 New Music for High School Choirs Reading Session
2023 | National ACDA 2023 SBMP - New Releases for Middle & High School Choirs Reading Session
2023 | NYSCAME/Suffolk County Symposium Day Secondary Choral Reading Session