Choral Composer
Every commission is a collaboration.
Cheryl B. Engelhardt is a GRAMMY®-nominated composer who writes both music and lyrics. Her choral pieces have recently been written about in PEOPLE, Forbes, and LGBTQ Nation. She is the Chair of Repertoire & Resources for the American Choral Directors Association East for Contemporary / Commercial Music. The New Yorker graduated from Cornell University with a degree in music, studied orchestration at Juilliard, and is a founding member and composer for the social justice choir VOICES 21C. Her commissioned pieces often end up being the glue that makes an entire program flow. Writing her own lyrics, meeting choirs in person, weeks (or months) of research, and the ability to write powerful social justice text or laugh-out-loud lyrics is Cheryl's process that allows for uniqueness, freedom, and customizability found only in her compositions. Cheryl also happens to be a trauma-informed master coach and facilitator and creates a safe space of expression and healing in her in-person collaborations. Scroll down to listen, view, purchase, or connect.
Choral Scores
If you'd like to discuss collaborating on a commissioned project, please reach out to [email protected] with details of your timeline, budget, and any topics or ideas. Thank you!
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Solstice Song
SSATB. Original text that is a cross between a carol and a pagan history lesson. A perfect replacement for tired holiday concerts! Premiered by EO Smith Choir December 2022. (Now published with E.C. Schirmer Music)
The Breadth of Blossoms
SSATB. Original text that addresses the struggles of the pandemic inside of the beautiful analogy of spring blossoms. Written in collaboration with Voices of Concinnity Choir.
The Listening
SSATB (with solo, rap, and optional children's choir). A powerful piece of passion, justice, and compassion. An experience for singers and audiences alike. Featured in PEOPLE Magazine. Was the All New England High School Choir piece 2019.
Triomphe Féminin
SSATB. With original text in both French and English that makes a statement about the feminine plight in a gentle yet powerful way. Premiered by Voices21C in the Choralis Fesitval in France, 2019.
We
SSATB. An introspective, tightly wound reflective piece, highlighting the connectivity of humanity.
Hi
SSATB. A perfect interlude piece that tugs at your heart with no words as to why. Sweet and easy to improvise over.
Andromeda
SSATB. A lush piece with a cosmic analogy message of being bright in the darkness. Written for Ember Choir in NYC as part of a Star Series.
Taurus
SATB with divisi, Whistles, Snaps. A light, poignant piece about looking back at the funnier/finer moments of life. Smiles guaranteed. Written for Ember Choir in NYC as part of a Star Series.
The Chariot (of Curiosity)
SSATB. Inspired by the GRAMMY®-nominated ambient piece “The Chariot”, with text considering the potential of kindness and curiosity.
Send Cheryl a Message
Looking for a specific kind of piece? Interested in possibly collaborating? A leadership or communication workshop? Click here to email Cheryl and get a response within 24 hours!
Recent Choral Projects
"The Listening"
A social justice choral piece inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s speech "Beyond Vietnam: A Time To Break Silence", featuring his goddaughter, Donzaleigh Abernathy.
Composed by Cheryl B. Engelhardt
Featuring Donzaleigh Abernathy & Wes Felton
Introducing The Listening Choir
Read the Forbes interview with Cheryl, Donzaleigh Abernathy, and Andre De Quadros here!
Recent Choir Collaborations
Videos
About
Cheryl originally got her start in the choral world as a Greenwich Academy Madrigal, performing in the White House at age 16. Her time at Cornell University introduced her to the world of pop a capella, and her film-scoring career brought her to the world of epic choral production.
Finally finding her choir legs again, Cheryl has recently performed on stage with Sting in Rob Mathe's Choir of Saints, with Woodkid in Lincoln Center, and has toured in France, Israel, Sri Lanka, and Mexico with the social justice project choir Voices 21C.
Her pieces "The Listening", "Triomphe Féminin" and "We" were debuted by Voices 21C. 2019 marks the year of her composer-in-residence with Ember Choir of New York City. The group performed "The Listening" as well as debuted "Andromeda" and the lighthearted comedy piece "Taurus", part of Cheryl's Star Suite.
"The Listening", a piece based on Martin Luther King Jr.'s "A Time To Break The Silence" speech has started inter-choral and scholastic conversations across the country. The 250 All New England Choir competition winners sung the piece in their final concert in the spring of 2019. The Unviersity of San Diego's choir performed the piece after director Emilie Amrein saw the piece debut in Mexico City. The piece was performed at the Eastern Region of the ACDA Conference in March 2020.
Additional Arrangements
Please email [email protected] for licensing and purchasing.
• Misty (Errol Garner) A jazz tune for an SSAA choir plus a soloist. 309 KB
• Walk on the Ocean (Toad The Wet Sprocket) A mellow pop song with an optional descant part on top of the soloist plus SSAA arrangement. 202 KB
• Everything You Want (Vertical Horizon) SSAATTBB + male and female soloists 1.13 MB
• Hit 'Em Up Style (Salt 'N' Peppa) SSAA plus soloist and vocal percussionist 269 KB
• Destiny (Zero 7) SSAA plus soloist 357 KB
• Cruisin' (Smokey Robinson) The Gweneth Paltrow version arranged for SAATTBB with soloists. 265 KB
