Someday – All Products

Someday’ by Rick Vale, is a captivating satb that showcases exceptional musicality and innovation. Published by PraiseGathering Music, this piece is perfect for both concert performances and special occasions.

SCORE SPOTLIGHT: SOMEDAY

A Christmas anthem by Rick Vale, arranged by Jay Rouse and Camp Kirkland

There are countless Christmas songs that celebrate the birth of Christ, but fewer take a moment to consider what Joseph and Mary may have been thinking as they looked upon the child in their arms. Someday explores that deeply human perspective. Written by Rick Vale and masterfully arranged by Jay Rouse and Camp Kirkland, this moving Christmas anthem invites listeners into a moment of wonder as Christ’s earthly parents imagine the future that awaits their son.

Rather than focusing solely on the events surrounding the manger, Someday looks ahead. Through a series of thoughtful reflections, Joseph and Mary contemplate the life, ministry, and mission of Jesus. The text envisions the miracles He will perform, the wisdom He will share, the lives He will transform, and ultimately the hope He will bring to the world. This forward-looking perspective gives the piece a unique place among Christmas repertoire, connecting the joy of Bethlehem with the greater story of redemption that follows.

One of the most compelling aspects of Someday is its dramatic storytelling. The arrangement features solo moments for both Joseph and Mary, allowing the audience to experience the narrative through the voices of two parents who can only begin to grasp the significance of the child before them. These solos create an intimacy that immediately draws listeners into the story. Rather than presenting Christmas as a distant historical event, the piece invites the congregation to experience it on a personal level.

As the text unfolds, the emotional scope gradually expands. The parents’ private hopes and dreams begin to give way to a broader vision of Christ’s future ministry. References to healing the blind, speaking words of wisdom, offering love and compassion, and setting captives free transform the piece from a simple reflection into a powerful declaration of faith. The result is an anthem that feels both tender and prophetic, balancing the humility of the manger with the promise of the Savior.

Musically, Someday reflects the contemporary inspirational style that helped define much of the modern church choral repertoire. Conductors familiar with the work of Jay Rouse will recognize his ability to blend accessibility with musical sophistication. The arrangement is approachable for church choirs while still offering enough depth and color to engage experienced musicians.

What Conductors Will Notice

One of the first things many musicians will notice is the harmonic language. Rather than relying exclusively on traditional hymn-style triads, the accompaniment is filled with the warm colors of suspended chords, major sevenths, added ninths, and other extended harmonies. Chord structures such as Csus, Dm7, Gmaj7, Fmaj7, Cmaj9, B-flat maj7, Em7, and Am9 contribute to a contemporary sound that feels rich, expressive, and cinematic.

These harmonic choices are more than stylistic decoration. They play an important role in shaping the emotional character of the piece. Suspended chords often delay resolution, creating a sense of anticipation and expectation. Added-note harmonies provide warmth and depth without becoming overly complex. Together, these colors create a musical atmosphere that mirrors the central theme of the text: standing at the beginning of a story whose full significance has not yet been revealed.

Choirs familiar with contemporary Christian music, inspirational Broadway writing, or modern worship ballads will immediately recognize this harmonic vocabulary. Yet despite its contemporary character, the arrangement never feels trendy or dated. The harmonic palette serves the text, helping communicate wonder, hope, and reverence throughout the piece.

Another notable feature is the way the choir functions within the arrangement. Rather than carrying the narrative at all times, the ensemble often serves as an emotional extension of the soloists. This creates a natural ebb and flow between personal reflection and communal expression. The contrast between solo passages and fuller choral textures provides opportunities for meaningful dynamic shaping and expressive interpretation.

The pacing of the piece is equally effective. The opening unfolds with a reflective, almost conversational quality, giving the story room to breathe. As the text expands toward Christ’s future ministry, the accompaniment becomes more active and the emotional intensity grows. Instead of relying on a single overwhelming climax, the arrangement develops organically, moving between moments of intimacy and grandeur. This gradual growth helps maintain listener engagement while reinforcing the narrative arc of the text.

Performance Considerations

From a practical standpoint, Someday is accessible to a wide range of church choirs. The vocal writing is comfortable and singable, with challenges arising more from expression and interpretation than from technical difficulty. Ensembles with strong soloists will find particularly rewarding opportunities in the featured roles of Joseph and Mary, as much of the anthem’s emotional impact depends on their ability to communicate the text with sincerity and conviction.

Directors may wish to devote special attention to pacing and dynamics. The piece is most effective when its quieter moments are given room to resonate. The contrast between intimate reflection and broader declarations of faith is central to the anthem’s impact. Choirs that resist the temptation to sing every phrase at maximum intensity will discover a far more compelling emotional journey.

Programming Ideas

Someday is an excellent choice for Christmas worship services, seasonal concerts, Christmas pageants, living nativity presentations, and larger Christmas productions. Its narrative structure makes it particularly effective in programs that seek to tell the Christmas story as a unified dramatic experience rather than a collection of unrelated seasonal selections.

Because the piece focuses on the future ministry of Christ, it can also serve as a meaningful bridge between Advent themes and the broader message of the Gospel. Choirs looking for repertoire that moves beyond the familiar manger scene while remaining firmly rooted in the Christmas story will find Someday especially valuable.

Final Thoughts

What makes Someday memorable is its ability to balance two perspectives at once. On one level, it is an intimate portrait of Joseph and Mary holding their newborn child. On another, it is a profound meditation on the life-changing ministry that child will one day fulfill. Through expressive solo writing, rich contemporary harmonies, thoughtful pacing, and a deeply meaningful text, Rick Vale, Jay Rouse, and Camp Kirkland have created a Christmas anthem that continues to resonate with choirs and congregations alike.

For conductors seeking a Christmas anthem that combines storytelling, musical warmth, theological depth, and contemporary choral craftsmanship, Someday remains a compelling addition to seasonal repertoire.