A Cinematic New Sound for a Landmark Choral Work
When composer Kyle Pederson first heard the new chamber orchestration for A Vision Unfolding, his reaction was immediate: “I came unglued and couldn’t remain seated. Soaring strings, majestic brass…it’s absolutely stunning…and gives each movement a cinematic feeling.”
The chamber orchestration — arranged by world-class orchestrator David Maddux — is now available. Watch the highlight reel below to hear it for yourself.
About the New Chamber Orchestration
Orchestrator David Maddux expanded the work into a full chamber ensemble featuring 2 violins, viola, cello, bass, 2 trumpets, trombone, alto saxophone (doubling flute and clarinet), tenor saxophone (doubling clarinet and bass clarinet), piano, auxiliary percussion, and drum set. The result gives each of the five movements a scope and dimension that the original ensemble — and the recording below — only hints at.
The original accompaniment of piano, violin, trumpet, and snare drum remains available for ensembles with tighter space or budget constraints. Pederson speaks to both options with equal enthusiasm: “The original instrumentation works well if you have space and budget constraints — those select instruments have high impact and elevate the audience experience. But if you have a bit more space on stage and budget, I highly recommend the chamber orchestration.”
About the Work
A Vision Unfolding is a five-movement choral work for SATB chorus, piano, and spoken word that explores social justice, inclusivity, and community through genre-bending music. Texts by poets including Langston Hughes and Walt Whitman are woven together with gospel, blues, and contemporary choral styles — a combination that has connected with audiences across every kind of divide.
The work is designed to be flexible: each movement stands alone for shorter programs, or all five can be presented as a complete 30-minute work. College choirs, community choirs, and high school choirs have all performed it successfully.
Explore the full work, view the score, and see available accompaniment options ›
Upcoming Performances
A Vision Unfolding is gaining momentum on stages around the world. An upcoming performance at Carnegie Hall in New York City through Distinguished Concerts International New York (DCINY) is drawing choirs from across the country, including the Morris Park Singers from the Minneapolis area. In June 2027, conductor Phillip Shoultz and Vox Anima will bring the work to London — a testament to how far its message travels.
A Natural Fit for 2026 Programming
As choirs plan programming around the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, A Vision Unfolding offers a resonant choice. Its texts by Langston Hughes and Walt Whitman, its message of unity and dignity across political divides, and its flexibility for a wide range of ensembles make it well-suited for programs that take seriously what American community means — and aspires to be.
FAQ
What level of choir is this work geared for?
College choirs, community choirs, and high school choirs have all had great success with A Vision Unfolding. Pederson designed it to be accessible for a wide range of ensembles.
How long is the work? Can individual movements be performed separately?
The complete work is approximately 30 minutes. Each movement stands alone, giving you the flexibility to program individual pieces to suit your time constraints.
What if my audience is sensitive about social justice topics?
The composition aims to invite, not divide. One particular lyric asks us not to judge others based on what side of the political aisle they are on. You are always welcome to modify the spoken word segments to better resonate with your audience’s sensibilities.
Which instrumentation do you recommend?
From Kyle Pederson: “I love both. The original instrumentation works well if you have space and budget constraints — those select instruments have high impact and elevate the audience experience. But if you have a bit more space on stage and budget, I highly recommend the chamber orchestration. David Maddux hit a home run with this orchestration.”
What makes this work different from other extended choral works?
The combination of spoken word, genre-bending styles (including gospel and blues influences), invitational social justice themes, and accessibility for a wide range of ensembles makes this a genuinely distinctive work. It gives choirs something meaningful to say.
About Kyle Pederson
Kyle Pederson is a Minneapolis-based composer, lyricist, pianist, and educator.
He enjoys working at the intersection of the sacred and secular, and his lyrics and music invite the choir and audience to be agents of hope, grace, and compassion in the world. Pederson was awarded the American Prize in Choral Composition in 2019, and the ACDA Genesis Prize in 2020. His music resonates for its “evocative use of harmony, melody, rhythm and texture”— and is “incredibly inspirational, moving, and spiritual” (American Prize).
Pederson has an undergraduate degree from Augustana University, a Masters Degree in Education from University of St. Thomas, and an MFA in Music Composition from Vermont College of Fine Art. His work is commissioned, performed, and recorded by community, school, and professional choirs around the world.
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