For VOCES8 sheet music, the most direct path to high-quality, official scores is through their publishing partnerships and their own digital storefront. While their arrangement of Enya's "May It Be" (arranged by Matt Sheeran) is a staple of their Enchanted Isle repertoire, it is often subject to stricter licensing than their original choral works. Where to Find Official VOCES8 Sheet Music
To ensure the best quality and support the artists, you should look for the VOCES8 Singles series and their official songbooks.
VOCES8 Official Shop: The VOCES8 Digital Sheet Music Store offers a curated collection of new music and arrangements by ensemble members like Paul Smith and Blake Morgan.
Edition Peters & Faber Music: These are the primary publishers for the VOCES8 Singles Range and their popular A Cappella Songbooks.
J.W. Pepper: A highly-rated retailer that carries a wide range of VOCES8 Choral Repertoire, including titles like "O Come, O Come Emmanuel" and "The Seal Lullaby". Finding "May It Be" Specifically
Because "May It Be" is a copyrighted pop arrangement (originally by Enya), it is not always available in the standard digital store due to rights reasons. However, you can find quality versions here:
Musicnotes: Offers a VOCES8-style transcription of the arrangement by independent arrangers.
Sheet Music Direct: Provides official publisher PDFs for various versions of May It Be, though you should verify if they specifically match the Matt Sheeran arrangement. Comparison of Popular VOCES8 Songbooks Collection Notable Songs A Cappella Songbook 2 SATB / Mixed "The Luckiest", "Underneath the Stars" Long & McQuade, Archambault VOCES8 Singles Various (SSAATTBB) "The Sound of Silence", "The Parting Glass" All Sheet Music The VOCES8 Method Educational Rhythm and melody activities Amazon.ca
High-quality sheet music for "May It Be" (originally by Enya) and other may it be voces8 sheet music high quality
arrangements can be purchased through professional publishers and the group’s official digital storefront. While VOCES8 has performed a widely acclaimed version of "May It Be," official licensed arrangements for choirs are often available through large publishers like Hal Leonard J.W. Pepper Official VOCES8 Sheet Music Sources
For the highest quality and most accurate scores that match the group's specific sound, you should look for the following: VOCES8 Publishing : The group has its own digital shop hosted on the VOCES8 official website
. This site provides a curated collection of new music and specific arrangements from composers associated with the VOCES8 Foundation, such as Paul Smith, Blake Morgan, and Christopher Moore. VOCES8 A Cappella Songbooks
: For a collection of their most popular hits, the group has released multiple songbooks published by Edition Peters
. These include favorites like "Feeling Good," "Shenandoah," and "The Luckiest". Major Choral Distributors : Retailers like J.W. Pepper Sheet Music Plus carry the "VOCES8 Singles" series and the VOCES8 Foundation Choral Series , which feature approachable yet "sumptuous" arrangements. J.W. Pepper "May It Be" Specific Arrangements
If you are looking for the exact transcription of the version VOCES8 performs, note the following: May It Be SAB Contemporary Choral - Hal Leonard
Yes, high-quality sheet music for VOCES8's version of "May It Be" is available. The arrangement performed on their Enchanted Isle album was written by Matt Sheeran . Where to Find High-Quality Sheet Music
Official Digital Shop: The VOCES8 Sheet Music Shop is the primary source for digital scores, including the VOCES8 Singles range. For VOCES8 sheet music, the most direct path
VOCES8 Publishing: This dedicated house offers a curated collection of music from composers associated with the ensemble, such as Paul Smith and Blake Morgan.
Established Publishers: Official choral arrangements are also distributed through major partners: Edition Peters : Features the popular VOCES8 A Cappella Songbook and various single octavos.
Faber Music: Provides the VOCES8 Singles series, which contains their most requested performance versions.
Hal Leonard: Lists contemporary choral versions of "May It Be" for SATB.
Blog Post: Capturing the Ethereal – Singing VOCES8’s "May It Be"
The Sound of Middle-earthThere is a specific kind of magic that happens when the pristine vocal blend of VOCES8 meets the haunting melodies of Howard Shore’s "May It Be." Originally composed for The Lord of the Rings, this piece has found a second life in the choral world, specifically through the lush, SATB arrangement by Matt Sheeran .
Why This Arrangement Stands OutWhat makes the VOCES8 version a favorite for choirs isn't just the nostalgia of the film—it’s the technical craftsmanship. The arrangement uses delicate divisi and close harmonies to mimic the ethereal textures of the original Enya recording while adding the rich resonance that only eight perfectly balanced voices can provide.
Finding Your Own "Enchanted Isle"For choirs looking to tackle this repertoire, quality matters. Using official scores from VOCES8 Publishing or the Edition Peters songbooks ensures you are working with the exact vocal lines and markings that define the group's "signature sound." VOCES8 Publishing / Edition Peters: VOCES8 publishes much
Pro Performance TipWhen rehearsing this piece, focus on the "VOCES8 Method"—prioritize a tall, unified vowel shape and breath support that allows for those seamless, shimmering crescendos. The goal isn't just to sing the notes; it's to create an atmosphere.
Have you performed a VOCES8 arrangement with your ensemble? Share your experiences in the comments below! VOCES8 Publishing — VOCES8 - A Choral Ensemble
REPORT: Analysis of "May It Be" – VOCES8 Sheet Music Quality and Availability
Date: October 26, 2023 Subject: High-Quality Sheet Music Options for "May It Be" (Enya/LotR) arranged for VOCES8
It is important to distinguish between the original composer score and a VOCES8 specific arrangement. While VOCES8 performs this piece, their specific edition is often controlled tightly due to copyright and licensing arrangements with Howard Shore’s publishers.
Official Sources:
May It Be’s modal melancholy and restrained hopefulness suit Voces8’s aesthetic perfectly. The result feels both ancient and immediate: a piece that can be devotional, cinematic, or contemplative depending on interpretation. High-quality sheet music that captures this balance — clear, idiomatic, and thoughtfully engraved — makes it accessible to community choirs and a joy for professional ensembles.
If you’d like, I can:
The word "darkness" appears with a melodic leap. Good engraving shows the vowel shape suggestions (e.g., "dah-k-ness" instead of "dark-ness"). This is a hallmark of the VOCES8 style.
