Ev'ry valley shall be exalted.

When a tenor steps up to sing "Ev'ry valley shall be exalted," the whole church leans in. Taken straight from the book of Isaiah, this piece is a staple of the Advent season, announcing the coming of the Lord by declaring that every obstacle will be cleared away. The mountains will be brought low, and the rough, uneven ground will be smoothed out to make a clear path.

For the soloist, this aria is a joyful workout. The word "exalted" stretches out into long, rolling runs of notes that require serious breath control and precision. It paints a musical picture of a valley being lifted up, note by note. We often hear this performed during major choral concerts or special Advent services, where the bright, confident melody sets a tone of eager anticipation.

Even if your choir is just learning the solfa, mastering these runs brings a real sense of achievement. The message is one of hope and preparation—getting our hearts and our world ready for the Lord's arrival.