Children/Youth, Easy, Moderate, Secular, Soprano/Alto

Never Ordinary

Name: Never Ordinary
SKU: LK057-03
Availability: InStock

$2.75

Never Ordinary is an accessible choral piece that uses a memorable ostinato to support developing singers. Workshopped with a group from Angelica Cantanti Youth Choir, this piece shifts from a reflective minor to a hopeful major, mirroring the emotional journey of growing up—navigating uncertainty while discovering strength and possibility through change.

You can purchase educational resources slides developed by Elizabeth Egger here.

Poet/Lyricist: Linda Kachelmeier

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SKU: LK057-03 Categories: Children/Youth, Easy, Moderate, Secular, Soprano/Alto

The unknown is forever strange
The answers are never ordinary

Questions—
Always wondering why?
Who are you today?
Will I get an A?
Transitions—
Everything is strange
How will I compare?
Will I have to change?

People—
Just like you and me
Trying to be brave
Scared of what they’ll say
Confusion—
Blurring every line
Don’t know how I feel
Wond’ring what is real

Wednesdays—
Don’t know what to wear
I hate my hair!
Does anybody care?
Changes—
Nothing stays the same
Just when I think I know
I find there’s room to grow

Never Ordinary was conceived in a workshop with a select group of middle school singers from Angelica Cantanti. We talked about all of the confusing things in life: everything from friendships, finding out who you are, and math class to transitions, the world and the future. Even as an adult, I relate to these concerns and did my best to convey them through the music and text of the song. Although it deals with some hard questions, the ending shows how change may be difficult at times, but if you adjust your perspective a bit, you can see it as an opportunity to grow.

World premiere: May 19, 2024 at Orchestra Hall in Minneapolis, MN by Angelica Cantanti Youth Choirs conducted by Elizabeth Egger and accompanied by Jeffrey Patry.

Learn about the educational resources slides developed by Elizabeth Egger to support the teaching of Never Ordinary with your choir.

Elizabeth Egger (she/her) is a conductor and singer whose career is grounded in her mission to educate, create, and explore to help young singers develop their authentic voice. A passionate teaching artist, Beth incorporates playfulness with her students and always leaves room for exploration. Beth currently serves as the conductor of the Angelica Cantanti Youth Choir’s Concert Choir (ACYC) and as the choir director at Scott Highlands Middle School in Apple Valley, MN. With 20 years of experience, Beth has held teaching and conducting roles in various schools and churches across Minnesota and Wisconsin.

Under Beth’s artistic leadership, her ensembles achieved notable recognition, performing at the MMEA Midwinter Convention in 2014 and featured as a clinic choir for the ACDA Fall Conference in both 2015 and 2022. Notably, Beth conducted ACYC singers during the 2018 Super Bowl LII performance and led a 25-member ensemble in the children’s chorus for Director Osmo Vänskä’s season finale of Mahler’s Symphony of a Thousand in 2022. Most recently, Beth presented sessions at MMEA and ACDA of Minnesota conferences and directed the Children’s Chorus for Turandot with the Minnesota Orchestra.

Beth is also a singer at heart, and has sung with several professional ensembles including The Singers – Minnesota Choral Artists, Milwaukee Choral Artists, Florentine Opera, and Skylight Music Theatre. She earned her MA in Music Education at the University of St. Thomas and BM summa cum laude in Vocal Performance and Music Education at the University of Minnesota. Follow her vibrant journey on Instagram: @choirsips.