?Gaudete! Christus est natus? is a medieval carol published in the 1582 collection of Finnish and Swedish sacred songs, Piae Cantiones. The carol is a song of praise comprising a two-line refrain, or burden, alternating with four-line verses. The Latin text of the burden, ?Gaudete, gaudete! Christus est natus ex Maria Virgine. Gaudete!? translates as ?Rejoice, rejoice! Christ is born of the Virgin Mary. Rejoice!? Interestingly, Piae Cantiones provides no music for the verses, but a standard tune for the verses appeared in other songbooks of the time. Although verses would typically be sung by a solo voice or unison voices, this arrangement attempts to evoke something of the medieval technique of harmonies in parallel motion on the second, third and fourth verses. �Copyright2011 Todd Marchand / ConSpiritoMusic.com

In the spring of 2010, my minister put me in touch with his nephew, the trombonist of the Gaudete Brass Quintet of Chicago. A brief conversation resulted in a commission for an expansive four movement work written over the course of three years. Lighthouses have always been a fascination of mine; all of the things they must see! The piece begins with a call to the high seas. In this you will hear the introduction of the lighthouse dynamic, a large dynamic sweep, representing the lighthouse light swinging by and out of sight again. The second movement depicts adventures on the open sea. In the third movement, darkness falls. The finale represents daybreak and the excitement of the new day. A dramatic moment leads to a heroic moment, followed by a moment of silence for those who have fallen (the second theme of the fourth movement is presented in the style of taps). A return of the call to the high seas leads to an energetic conclusion. Lighthouse Suite is dedicated to the Gaudete Brass Quintet who premiered the piece in the fall of 2014.