?An American Folk Hymn Medley? brings together three 19th-century shape-note tunes in a contemporary setting for brass quintet. HOLY MANNA is popularly known as ?Brethren We Have Met to Worship? from its association with a text by Methodist clergyman George Atkins (1793-1827). It was first published in Columbian Harmony, a shape-note tune book, in 1829, and is attributed to William Moore, the publisher. RESTORATION, first published in William Walker?s 1835 shape-note hymnal, Southern Harmony, was later renamed ARISE from its association with a text by Joseph Hart (1712-1768) in which the chorus begins ?I will arise and go to Jesus?.? PLEADING SAVIOR, published in Joshua Leavitt?s 1830 compilation The Christian Lyre, is today best-known in many churches as the accompaniment to the text ?Sing of Mary, Pure and Lowly.? In this arrangement, the similar tunes HOLY MANNA and PLEADING SAVIOR, both in major tonality and 8.7.8.7 poetic meter, frame the contrasting minor tonality tune, RESTORATION. Contrasting instrument textures, keys, and tempi, and a mix of both traditional and contemporary harmonies breathe a fresh spirit into these venerable tunes.

?On Christmas Night, On Christmas Day, Rejoice!? takes its name from lyrics of the three tunes that comprise this medley. ?On Christmas night all Christians sing? are the opening words of the Sussex Carol, a traditional English tune with words first published in 1684. English folk-song collectors Cecil Sharp and Ralph Vaughan Williams both collected versions of the song, and Vaughan Williams published his arrangement of the tune in 1919. ?On Christmas day in the morning? are the concluding words of the refrain of the carol also known as ?I Saw Three Ships.? Like the Sussex Carol, it is a traditional English carol, and it was published by William Sandys in his 1833 work, Christmas Carols Ancient and Modern. ?Rejoice? is the imperative verb in the invitation, ?Good Christian men, rejoice,? which are the opening words to the medieval carol, ?In dulci jubilo? (?In sweet rejoicing?). John Mason Neale, an Anglican priest, scholar, and hymn-writer, wrote the familiar English translation in 1853. Quick to rehearse and fun to play, this cheerful medley evokes the joy of Christmas. Intrmediate level, suitablefor high school to professional ensembles for use in concert,recital, and worship. Full score and parts, 8.5x11-inch format. ©Copyright2015 Todd Marchand / ConSpiritoMusic.com

Contrasting textures, changing key centers, and rich harmonies make this unique arrangement of a beloved Irish folk melody ideal as a prelude to worship, or as an offertory or communion anthem.

?What is This Lovely Fragrance?? (?Quelle est cette odeur agréable??) is a 17th-century French traditional Noël (carol) about the Nativity of Christ. The melody accompanying its lyrics, a folk tune, was used by John Gay (1685?1732) in his satirical work, The Beggar's Opera (1728). It is this tune to which the text, calling the shepherds to the manger, is typically set. What is this lovely fragrance wafting like to the scents of flow'rs in spring? / Shepherds, O tell us, whence such beauty, hear you not heav'nly carolling? / What is this lovely fragrance wafting like to the scents of flow'rs in spring? Thisintermediate level arrangement is suitablefor advanced high school to professional ensembles for use inconcert, recital, and worship. Full score and parts, 8.5x11-inchformat. ©Copyright2013 Todd Marchand / ConSpiritoMusic.com

An arrangement of the national anthem of Cambodia for Brass Quintet."Nokor Reach" (Khmer: ????????; Royal Kingdom or Majestic Kingdom) is the national anthem of the Kingdom of Cambodia. It was based on a Cambodian folk tune and written by Chuon Nath, the anthem was originally adopted in 1941 and reconfirmed in 1947, around the time of independence from France. In 1970, the monarchy was abolished, thereby replacing the anthem as well. After the communist victory in 1975, former royalist symbols, including "Nokor Reach", were reinstated for a short while. The Khmer Rouge then replaced it with Dap Prampi Mesa Chokchey ("Glorious Seventeenth of April"). After the royalist party FUNCINPEC defeated the former communists (Cambodian People's Party) in the 1993 elections, the royalist anthem was restored.For more of my original music, great arrangements and all the national anthems of the world, check out my on-line stores:http://www.scoreexchange.com/profiles/keith_terrethttp://musicforalloccasions.org.ukhttp://www.sheetmusicplus.com/search?Ntt=keith terrettNeed an anthem fast? They are ALL in my store!All my anthem arrangements are also available for Orchestra, Recorders, Saxophones, Wind, Brass and Flexible band. If you need an anthem urgently for an instrumentation not in my store, let me know via e-mail, and I will arrange it for you FOC if possible! keithterrett@gmail.com.

"The Truth From Above," aka "[This Is] the Truth Sent From Above," and sometimes known as "The Herefordshire Carol," is an English folk melody that was collected by Ralph Vaughan Williams in 1909, used in his Fantasia on Christmas Carols (1912) and and published in Eight Traditional English Carols (1919).

Its text tells of God's creation of man and woman, their placement in Paradise, their sin and its subsequent consequences for all humanity, the nativity of Christ, His example and teaching, and His promise of salvation for all who believe in Him. Another text, "The Great Forerunner of the Morn," which tells of John the Baptist's preparation for the Christ, is also sung to the tune.

The Dorian-mode melody uses the first through fifth tones, and the seventh tone, of that mode. Although collected by Vaughan Williams just after the turn of the 20th century, its chant-like quality, both melodically and rhythmically, is reminiscent of centuries-old music.

This arrangement features solo tuba on the first presentation of the tune followed by the full ensemble in full harmony, a key change and canonic presentation by horn and trombone, and a return to the original key and concluding statement by full ensemble with harmonic variation.

"Down to the River to Pray" (also known as "Down in the River to Pray," "Down in the Valley to Pray," and "The Good Old Way") is a 19th-century American folk hymn variously attributed as an African-American spiritual/slave song, Appalachian song, and gospel song. In recent years, it was popularized in the 2000 motion picture, "O Brother, Where Art Thou," and by folk/bluegrass performer Alison Kraus.

In this arrangement, the first three presentations, or verses, of the pentatonic tune employ simple, traditional harmony and limited instrumentation, evoking the simplicity of folk-singing style. Verse 4 is characterized by a direct key change up a fourth (from concert Eb to Ab) and more active harmonies. After a short, two-bar modulation up one more step to Bb major, the final verse begins with rising parallel harmonies under the melody in trumpet 1, and continues with more contemporary harmonies. The piece concludes with a simple "Amen"-like ending.

©2019 Todd Marchand / ConSpiritoMusic.com