Seasonal & Feast Days

Cantor/SATB/cong., organ, opt. brass or strings    [c. 3:30]

This widely used setting – with its refrain from “Angels We Have Heard on High” – allows any congregation to participate fully in the Gloria. Originally commissioned for St. Margaret Mary’s, Lomita, CA, and recorded by Frank Brownstead. String accompaniments now available from the publisher.

NEW! New translation for the Roman Missal, Third Edition Revision

(Excerpt of original version from O Morning Star, from OCP #9521)

SATB, organ, opt. trumpet, opt. brass, opt. strings    [c. 4:10, excluding Gloria]

As a follow up to A Christmas Gloria, the movements of this Mass are all based on familiar carols so that the congregation can more easily take part. Included are: Holy, three Acclamations, Amen, and Lamb of God, all using the latest translations of the Roman Missal. Strings for all sections now available from the publisher.

Watch on YouTube: Glory to God, Holy, Holy, and Lamb of God

Performance of "Holy" provided by OCP.

SATB, unaccompanied    [c. 2:30]

This exuberant setting of “Wir Singen Dir Immanuel,” in Catherine Winkworth’s English translation, makes a joyous feature of deceptive cadences. Written originally for Christmas, it could in fact be used throughout the Church year.

Chorus Angelorum, Dominic MacAller conducting

SATB chorus and handbells (four octaves)    [c. 2:40]

This Christmas piece, a setting of William Austin’s joyous poem, which begins “All this night shrill chanticleer, Day’s proclaiming trumpeter…,” gives the impression of rising higher and higher. Available in full score, and bells only score.
(Click on publisher link at left for score and audio previews.)

Example provided by E.C. Schirmer: chorus with synthesized bells

SATB, keyboard    [c. 5:00]

A setting of a text by clergy from St. Martin-in-the-Fields, this relatively simple anthem-hymn celebrates and gives thanks for our abundance, but also envisions a world of greater justice and peace. Especially suitable in November. Parishes with strong justice movements will find it particularly appropriate and appealing.

Chorus Angelorum, Dominic MacAller conductor, Emma Whitten, organist

SATB, cello    [c. 2:10]

Winner in the 2005 American Composers Forum/VocalEssence Christmas Carol Competition, this buoyantly rhythmic setting uses an early Christmas text (in English with Latin refrain), and was premiered by Philip Brunelle and VocalEssence. Charles Bruffy and the Grammy-winning Phoenix Chorale performed it with bassoon in place of the cello.

Watch and listen to the score on YouTube.

[Excerpt by Philovox Ensemble, Jane Ring Frank (conductor), Rafael Popper-Keizer (cello) for ECS]

SATB chorus, unaccompanied    [c. 2:33]

Using close counterpoint and elegant lines, this is a setting from the Book of Revelation, 21:22-23

I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God almighty and the Lamb. The city had no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gave it light, and its lamp was the Lamb.

MIDI realization

Three-part women's chorus and organ    [c. 3:00]

This setting of the Offertory for the Third Sunday of Easter (Psalm 145:2) uses the Latin form of:

Praise the Lord, O my soul:
I will praise the Lord throughout my life;
I will sing to my God for as long as I live,
alleluia.

Chorus Angelorum, Dominic MacAller conducting

SATB, unaccompanied    [c. 4:36]

Hildegard’s ecstatic praise of the Holy Trinity is mirrored in this expressive setting, built on an original chant inspired by Hildegard’s music. Premiere given 5/20/22 in Leipzig by Neue Kammer + Friends, conducted by Franziska Kuba.

Watch the YouTube video-score.

Neue Kammer + Friends, conducted by Franziska Kuba.

SATB or cantor/congregation, optional keyboard    [c. 3:40]

With words and music by Paul and Carol Gibson, these prayerful invocations center the assembly and call upon the presence of the Holy Spirit. Easy congregational responses alternate with choir, capped by a beautiful choral coda.

[Excerpt from A Mass of Life, G.I.A. #CD-289.]

SATB, tambourine, optional keyboard    [c. 3:15]

Setting a text from St. Martin-in-the-Fields, this high energy Christmas anthem is highly rhythmic and syncopated. Verses are very conscious of taking Jesus’ message of love, justice, and peace to the whole world.

Cantor/SATB, piano, oboe    [c. 7:00, w. reading]

Commissioned by Holy Family Cathedral, Orange, CA , these musical interjections for the first reading of the Easter Vigil begin with a single note on the oboe, calling forth from a primordial past the mystery and wonder of Creation.

TTBB, English horn    [c. 2:35]

A vigorous, joyful setting of a traditional English text, designed to maximize the rich sound of a men’s chorus. Selected by the Texas Choral Directors Association, performed at St. Olaf College’s Christmas Festival, and at the national ACDA conference in Minneapolis by St. Olaf.
See and hear the score on YouTube.

[performed by The Singers (Minneapolis, MN); Matthew Culloton, conductor; Marni Hougham, English horn]

SATB, flute    [c. 2:50]

In the form of a carol, this is a reflective look back on the original Christmas night from the vantage point of a bitter winter. The text comes from the hymn “The Winter Night” (1917) by Louis Fitzgerald Benson.

Watch and listen to the score on YouTube.

[excerpt performed by the Philovox Ensemble, Vanessa Holroyd, flute, conducted by Robert Schuneman]

Cantor (opt. duet)/congregation, organ, flute    [c. 2:30]

Simple, melodic setting of the Holy Thursday psalm, commissioned by Our Lady Queen of Angels, Newport Beach, CA, Dr. Patricia Lamb, Music Director.

SATB, brass quartet (or organ) OR double choir    [c. 2:40]

The widely sung 16th-century English anthem Rejoice in the Lord Alway can now be performed in double choir fashion using this setting. The first choir is the original SATB setting; the second choir can be performed by brass (or any other quartet of instruments) or simply organ. Text is included for those who actually use two separate SATB choirs.
“… breathes exciting new life into a classic Tudor anthem. Paul has ingeniously crafted four new vocal (or instrumental) lines to create a gorgeous double-choir setting of the original four-part work. This blending of ancient and new was a big hit … at Walt Disney Concert Hall!”
– Grant Gershon, Artistic Director, Los Angeles Master Chorale

Watch and listen on YouTube.

[double choir version performed by the Philovox Ensemble, Robert Schuneman, director]

SATB, trumpet in B-flat    [c. 3:00]

A tender Christmas lullaby is combined with a solo trumpet, which is playing “Lo, How a Rose ‘Ere Blooming.” Mary Breden led her Consort Singers of Loyola Marymount University and trumpeter Sarah Bauza in the premiere at their 2018 Christmas program.

On YouTube here

Loyola Marymount Consort Singers; Sarah Bauza, trumpet; Mary Breden, conductor

SATB, unaccompanied    [c. 5:30]

A tender Christmas lullaby on a text by Colin Sterne.

Chorus Angelorum, Dominic MacAller conducting

SATB chorus, unaccompanied    [c. 2:30]

A vigorous, ecstatic setting of the Latin hymn by Hildegard of Bingen, the translation of which begins, “Holy Spirit, life-giving Life, moving in all things and root of all that is created…”

Watch and hear the score on YouTube.

[excerpt performed by the Philovox Ensemble, conducted by Robert Schuneman]

TTBB, English horn    [c 3:00]

Reflective and gentle, this setting of Quae stella sole pulchrior, by Charles Coffin (1736), as translated by John Chandler (1837), features a chant-like melody.

See the video score on YouTube.

[performed by The Singers (Minneapolis, MN); Matthew Culloton, conductor; Marni Hougham, English horn]

SATB, unaccompanied    [c. 2:50]

An old German Christmas poem inspired a bouncy, lilting melody for this charming motet in a neo-Praetorius style, culminating with a joyous cascade of “Alleluias.” (German or English) Performed by the Los Angeles Master Chorale, under Grant Gershon, at Walt Disney Concert Hall.
“An exquisitely crafted jewel of a carol, both original and timeless…a fresh and welcome addition to the a cappella Christmas repertoire.” – Grant Gershon, Artistic Director, Los Angeles Master Chorale

Watch and listen on YouTube.

[Chorus Angelorum, Dominic MacAller, conductor]

SATB, organ, opt. brass quintet    [c.6:30]

An original text is set to several melodies, including the plainchant “Jesu dulcis memoria” and the traditional hymn “Jesus Christ is Ris’n Today.” This anthem, which grows from pre-dawn quiet to a raucous shout of “Alleluia,” was commissioned for Easter 2000 by St. Matthew’s Parish, Pacific Palisades, CA.

Watch and listen on YouTube.

[excerpt performed by the Philovox Ensemble with organist Heinrich Christensen, conducted by Robert Schuneman]

SATB, unaccompanied    [c. 3:00]

Commissioned by Holy Family Cathedral, Orange, CA, this rich choral enhancement of the Gregorian Pentecost Sequence may be sung in Latin or in a new English version that adheres to the accents of the original. Chosen by Creator magazine as one of the 10 Best Sacred Works of 2001.
“A chant-based but harmonically accessible anthem which would work well in the context of Pentecost’s ‘mystery.’ Well done.” (Creator magazine)

Watch and listen on YouTube.

[Excerpt performed by Philovox of Boston (Jennifer Lester, conductor) for ECS.]

SATB, optional keyboard    [c. 8:30]

The solemn atmosphere evoked by Clark Gibson’s dark, reflective text – inspired by Biblical imagery – is heightened by this haunting choral setting. Suitable for Good Friday and other times in Holy Week.

Watch and listen on YouTube.

[Excerpt performed by Chorus Angelorum, Dominic MacAller, conductor.]

Cantor/SATB/congregation, unaccompanied    [c. 2:15]

Holy Family Cathedral, Orange, CA, commissioned this joyful, buoyant setting of the Easter Vigil responsorial.